The Trans-Alaska pipeline system (TAPS) is a Must-see for every tourist. This post provides insider tips to get the most out of your visit. Plus a lot of fun trans-Alaska pipeline facts to impress your friends.
- A Pipeline thru the Wild Is Impressive
- Earthquakes Are Possible
- A Pipeline Built to Withstand Wildfires
- Surveying to Protect the Environment
- Speed of the Oil in the Pipe
- You Can Tour the Oil Fields
A Pipeline thru the Wild Is Impressive
When I visited Alaska for the first time in 2000, I was quite disappointed about the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. In my imagination, the pipeline would be much larger than what I saw at the Fairbanks pipeline viewing post. Well, in an after thought the disappointment was not justified. When driving up the haul way in 2003, I was quite impressed by the pipeline system.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) encompasses about 800 miles (1,300 km) of pipeline, several hundred miles of feeder pipelines, 12 pump stations, and the Valdez Marine Terminal. In some places, the pipeline is above the ground, while in other places it is below the ground. In both cases, it is constructed to protect the permafrost. Above the ground, the pipeline is on stalks to protect the permafrost and to allow caribou and musk ox herds to roam the land. It has a very intelligent cooler-heater system that ensures that the warm crude oil would not thaw permafrost and the cold winter air temperature would not freeze the oil in the pipe.
Thawing permafrost can destroy constructions and lead to huge costs for repair. Areas with permafrost can be recognized easily when you know what to look for.
Earthquakes Are Possible
The pipeline can slide on its stalks so it can sustain earthquakes. There occurred no damage at all during the 2002 7.9 Alaska Earthquake that had its epicenter on the Denali fault.
A Pipeline Built to Withstand Wildfires
I was quite impressed when I heard for the first time that one of the hundreds of Alaska wildfires crossed the pipeline and the pipeline had no damage at all.
Surveying the Pipeline to Protect the Environment
Several times a day, aircrafts carrying sensors for methane survey the pipeline for leaks. A leak would mean concentrations above the average background (natural) methane concentration. Moreover, the flights ensure visible inspection. There are also foot and road patrols that inspect the pipeline between stations for leaks, shifting, and other potential issues.
In summer, students hired for the season walk the entire pipeline from Prudhoe Bay as well as from Valdez to look for issues. Before they start their 800 miles summer walk, they are trained in Alaska survival and what to look for. They also have satellite phone so they can immediately get into contact with the next pump station for help in an emergency or when they find something on the pipeline.
The pipeline goes thru difficult terrain in some places like the Adigun Pass, or Keystone Canyon. It crosses rivers, creeks and mountains. At Yukon Crossing (photo below), the pipeline crosses the river parallel to the wood bridge of the unpaved road of the Dalton Highway.
Speed of the Oil in the Pipe
The oil travels on average at a speed of 3.7 mph (6 km/h). Thus, when oil enter the pipeline at Pump Station 1 on the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay, it will reach Valdez after about 11 days and 21.6 hours. Did you know this?
Guess how long it takes for the oil to travel thru the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez? Check answer here. Click To TweetDid you know that you can get a tour on the oil fields in summer?
You Can Tour the Oil Fields
You have to get a reservation 24 hours in advance. Thus, when you drive up the haulway it is best to call from Fairbanks. The latest possibility is to call from Coldfoot. Note that in Alaska, there is no cell phone service about 30 miles outside of the communities. After Coldfoot, the next cell phone contact possible is Deadhorse where the tours start. I can really recommend these tours. They were very informative about oil drilling techniques, safety, environmental protection, ice and winter road construction as well as cleaning up the tundra. Furthermore, the tour is the only way to get to the Arctic Ocean from Deadhorse. We even saw a polar bear farther away on the beach thru my hubby’s binoculars.
Did you know these trans-Alaska pipeline facts? #trivia #Alaska Click To TweetFocus Alaska is a series on Alaska lifestyle, events, curiousa, insider travel tips, and Alaska street style.
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Photo of me: G. Kramm
Other photos: N. Mölders
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