Pipeline shifts near Fairbanks

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. said Jan. 7 that ground surveillance crews found seven anchors had tripped on the vertical support members supporting the trans-Alaska pipeline.

Alyeska said the anchors had moved or “tripped” on VSMs in the Prospect Creek area near Pump Station No. 5. The company's system engineering team is investigating the cause of the movement, which was discovered Jan. 4. Many VSMs on the pipeline have anchor assemblies, Alyeska said.

“The system put in place to protect the integrity of the pipeline performed as designed and remains in good condition,” the company said. That system consists of the anchors, the “shoes” and sacrificial components such as energy absorbers. No oil was spilled. Repairs began Jan. 7 and are expected to take seven to 10 days to complete. Pipeline surveillance was conducted between North Pole metering (just south of Fairbanks) and Pump Station No. 5 and Alyeska said that no other problems were observed.

Alyeska spokesman Mike Heatwole told PNA Jan. 8 that the pipe shifted over a one and a quarter to one and a half mile stretch of line about 175 miles north of Fairbanks. The anchors moved from a few inches to 14 inches.