Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline--Information on Construction, Technical, and Environmental Matters Through Spring 1977

When the trans-Alaska pipeline is completed, the system will consist of about 800 miles of 48-inch pipe, 12 pump stations, a communications system, and a terminal at Port Valdez. The project is financed by eight oil companies. It is constructed primarily on Federal land.

The system became operational in June of this year and was to be capable of transporting 1.2 million barrels of oil a day by November 1977. Construction of the production facilities is on schedule and the developers of the field will be able to produce enough oil to meet the scheduled flow rates of the pipeline system. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company--agent for the owner companies--is responsible for developing a comprehensive quality assurance program to assure compliance with the environmental and technical stipulations of the right-of-way agreement. The Department of the Interior's Authorized Officer is responsible for approving this program and making sure that it is carried out. Although the Authorized Officer brought environmental problems to Alyeska's attention and obtained corrective action in most instances, the problems were not always corrected in a timely manner. Welding defects have been corrected and the leak control system has been approved. The effectiveness of the corrosion control system may not be known for several years.