Trans-Alaska oil pipeline restarted after second Alyeska summer shutdown

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. said July 25 that it had safely restarted the trans-Alaska pipeline at approximately 2:30 p.m. July 24 after completing a variety of projects. The shutdown, planned to last approximately 36-hours, began July 23 at 6 a.m. and allowed crews to work on projects from Prudhoe Bay to the Valdez Marine Terminal.

Alyeska said the primary scope of the work included: infrastructure installation at Pump Station 9 for new electric driven pumps for strategic reconfiguration; installation of a 48-inch straight-run mainline pipe at Pump Station 12; and maintenance on selected valves.

This is the second summer project and maintenance shutdown of the line.

The Joint Pipeline Office, which said it would be monitoring the activities, said prior to the shutdown that it is reviewing strategic reconfiguration packages for Pump Stations 3 and 9 general contract for new facilities and notices to proceed on existing facilities at those pump stations, as well as changes to the power systems scheme at the four electrified pump stations: 1, 3, 4 and 9.

—Petroleum News