Alaska's oil reservoir
In 1968, the presence of an enormous reservoir of crude oil on Alaska's North Slope near Prudhoe Bay was confirmed by Atlantic Richfield Company and Humble Oil (Exxon), although its presence had been suspected due to engineering and land conformation studies for more than one hundred years.
It was soon recognized that the only feasible way to get Alaska oil to the nearest ice free port was to construct an 800 mile pipeline which runs north to south across three mountain ranges, as well as many streams and rivers. After nearly 5 years of preparation and surveying the land, the route was established. During the time, the concept was bitterly fought by conservationists and environmentalists as being an irreparable danger to Alaska's land, water and wildlife.
In truth, there were significant risks in the plan for the Alaska oil pipeline. The warmth of the oil moving through the pipeline might melt surrounding permafrost, leaving vast areas a permanent bog. Wildlife, disturbed by the influx of people and equipment expected during the construction might become endangered species. The danger of fluctuations of heat and cold could cause leakages which would spill the oil onto surrounding land and water. Alaska had been known to have killer earthquakes and the results of an earthquake on the Alaska oil pipeline had to be considered.
After three and one half years of legal wrangling during which the concept was examined by federal and state jurisdictions the proposal to build the Alaska oil pipeline was signed into law by the president. The first course of business was to build a 360 mile road to transport men, equipment and materials from the Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay. This road was completed in 1974. At the same time pumping stations and the port facilities at Valdez, the southern terminus of the pipeline were begun.
On March 27, 1975, the first piece of pipe was laid north of Valdez in the Tonsina River. Alaska oil pipeline employment continued throughout 1975, reaching its peak in August of 1975. By May of 1977 the pipeline was finished and the first gallon of crude oil left Prudhoe Bay on June 20, 1977 and reached Valdez on July 28. On August 1, the first tanker load of Alaska oil from the North Slope moved out of Valdez. By July of 1997 over 12 billion barrels of Alaska oil had reached Valdez
Originally, at full capacity 754,000 barrels of Alaska oil could be pumped through the pipeline each day thanks to 10 pumping stations. At present, due to the declining oil production, only 6 of the potential 10 stations are operational.
The Valdez terminal continues as the nerve center of the pipeline, containing both the operations center for the entire 800 mile length of the pipeline and the control for the tanker and loading facilities as well. The port docking center is built on a 1000 acre site opposite the city of Valdez, and contains storage capacity for over 9 million barrels of oil.
It was soon recognized that the only feasible way to get Alaska oil to the nearest ice free port was to construct an 800 mile pipeline which runs north to south across three mountain ranges, as well as many streams and rivers. After nearly 5 years of preparation and surveying the land, the route was established. During the time, the concept was bitterly fought by conservationists and environmentalists as being an irreparable danger to Alaska's land, water and wildlife.
In truth, there were significant risks in the plan for the Alaska oil pipeline. The warmth of the oil moving through the pipeline might melt surrounding permafrost, leaving vast areas a permanent bog. Wildlife, disturbed by the influx of people and equipment expected during the construction might become endangered species. The danger of fluctuations of heat and cold could cause leakages which would spill the oil onto surrounding land and water. Alaska had been known to have killer earthquakes and the results of an earthquake on the Alaska oil pipeline had to be considered.
After three and one half years of legal wrangling during which the concept was examined by federal and state jurisdictions the proposal to build the Alaska oil pipeline was signed into law by the president. The first course of business was to build a 360 mile road to transport men, equipment and materials from the Yukon River to Prudhoe Bay. This road was completed in 1974. At the same time pumping stations and the port facilities at Valdez, the southern terminus of the pipeline were begun.
On March 27, 1975, the first piece of pipe was laid north of Valdez in the Tonsina River. Alaska oil pipeline employment continued throughout 1975, reaching its peak in August of 1975. By May of 1977 the pipeline was finished and the first gallon of crude oil left Prudhoe Bay on June 20, 1977 and reached Valdez on July 28. On August 1, the first tanker load of Alaska oil from the North Slope moved out of Valdez. By July of 1997 over 12 billion barrels of Alaska oil had reached Valdez
Originally, at full capacity 754,000 barrels of Alaska oil could be pumped through the pipeline each day thanks to 10 pumping stations. At present, due to the declining oil production, only 6 of the potential 10 stations are operational.
The Valdez terminal continues as the nerve center of the pipeline, containing both the operations center for the entire 800 mile length of the pipeline and the control for the tanker and loading facilities as well. The port docking center is built on a 1000 acre site opposite the city of Valdez, and contains storage capacity for over 9 million barrels of oil.
