Alyeska president announces retirement

The chief executive of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. says he plans to retire at end of September.

David Wight, president and CEO of Alyeska, is stepping down after five years at the helm of the Anchorage-based company, a consortium that runs the 800-mile trans-Alaska oil pipeline on behalf of five owners.

Wight, 64, will be replaced by Kevin Hostler, currently senior vice president of human resources at BP’s Houston, Texas, operations.

Hostler, who will take over as president Oct. 1, is coming in at a time the company is undergoing major changes. Alyeska is reshuffling its executive-level management and transforming the way it handles the flow of oil through the 800-mile trans-Alaska pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez.

“We have a big project that needs stewardship to be delivered,” Wight said. “It will be a challenge for anyone.”Wight, who has worked in the oil and gas industry for 41 years, said he was confident Hostler was equal to the task.

“I absolutely believe that the transition will be seamless,” he said.

Hostler was chosen by the company’s owners committee including BP, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.An engineer by training, Hostler worked for Standard Oil Co. in Anchorage from 1980 to 1986.

Wight said he would remain available through Jan. 1 to ensure a smooth handoff. He plans to remain in Anchorage. Hostler arrives as Alyeska moves forward with plans to significantly reduce its work force. The company has pursued an aggressive automation program aiming to reduce operating costs.

The project is expected to cut more than 200 full-time direct jobs and 150 contractor positions. The cutbacks were necessary to keep the pipeline competitive with foreign oil, Wight said.

—The Associated Press