By TODD M LINDLEY
After start-up 48 years ago the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) pumped the 19th billion barrel of crude oil into the pipeline on Wednesday September 17th around 1AM.
The 48” diameter 800-mile-long pipeline took three years and two months to construct the pipeline, pump stations, roads and terminal. At peak construction there were over 28,000 contractors and employees working at one time to complete this project. Designing and building the pipeline over mountain ranges, rivers, permafrost and major earthquake fault lines illustrate the fortitude behind this engineering marvel.
In a press release by Alyeska Pipeline President & CEO John Kurz stated, “An often-referenced quote from the TAPS construction era goes, ‘They didn’t know it couldn’t be done.’ In that spirit, this once-implausible milestone for TAPS was made reality by the proud pipeline people at Alyeska Pipeline and our contractors who operate TAPS safely and reliably. This moment also honors countless individuals and organizations that continue adding to the iconic infrastructure’s legacy, as well as Alaska’s residents and leaders and the state’s hardworking oil and gas industry.”
The Trump Administration made Alaska a central part of it’s domestic energy policy. In June, members of the presidential cabinet and administration visited Alaska, including a visit to Pump Station 1 in Prudhoe Bay. They discussed the key role Alaska oil and gas will play in the United States becoming energy dominate with developments like Willow and Pikka on the horizon.
“That work, paired with an environment of support and action from federal and state energy policy leaders, has us focused on TAPS 100 and many more milestones ahead,” says Kurz.
For more information on the press release and about TAPS historic throughput at https://alyeska-pipe.com/historic-throughput/ and TAPS history at https://alyeska-pipe.com/taps-facts/.
Todd Lindley is on the board of Alaska Gold Communications, the parent company of Must Read Alaska.