The 800 mile Trans Alaska Pipeline brings crude oil from the North Slopes of Alaska to the ice free port of Valdez.
       

Construction on the ambitious Pipeline project started in 1974. Three years and $8 billion later, North Slope crude oil started flowing through TAPS in June 1977. At its peak, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System carried over 2 million barrels of crude oil per day. Nowadays, with declining oil production, the flow has decreased to approximately 600,000 barrels per day.

As the sun slowly sets down in the vast Alaskan landscape, the sky turns a bright shade of pink before the night reveals the stars. Photos of the Trans Alaska Pipeline at sunset...

In the middle of the winter, the nights are bitter cold. However, for those who are not afraid to brave the elements, they might witness a spectacular light show...

Photos of the Trans Alaska Pipeline with Aurora in the middle of the winter.

TAPS is immune to the changing of the seasons. Being a major contributor to the US crude oil production, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System operates 24 hours a day, all year long. Only major maintenance during the Turn Around periods (TAR) will affect production.

Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, the show must go on to supply the US energy needs.

Far Left: Atigun Pass mid Summer.

Crude oil production from the Alaska North Slopes has been steadily declining at an annual rate of 4 to 5%. Low oil throughput is cause for concern. Indeed, under its current configuration, TAPS will be marred with operational issues if the flow drops below a minimum of 400,000 barrels per day.

At the current rate of decline, TAPS production is projected to reach the minimum threshold within the next decade.

The original TAPS design had as many as 12 Pump Stations to handle peak volume, although only 11 were actually built (Pump Station 11 was never built).

Significant investment will be needed to mitigate the problems linked to low oil flow.

In 2004, the Strategic Reconfiguration project was started, aiming to overhaul 4 Pump Stations with state-of-the-art Electric Pumps with Variable Frequency Drives (at Pump Stations 1, 3, 4 and 9).

Nowadays among the active Pump Stations, PS 1, 3, 4 and 9 are the main stations responsible for pushing crude oil through the 48" pipeline. They benefited from the Strategic Reconfiguration project which upgraded the equiment to Electric Pumps with Variable Frequency Drives.

The VFDs enable to mitigate some of the operational issues related to reduced oil flow.

Pump Station 7, in interior Alaska, is also active.

Pump Station 5 is actually a relief station designed to slow down the flow of oil coming down from the Brooks Range.

Pump Stations 2, 6, 8, 10 and 12 were put on standby, but could be brought back in service within 6 months if needed.

Pump Station 11 was never built.

In Alaska, the nights are cold, but when you are in the middle of nowhere, the stars are particularily bright. Tonight, the auroras are making an appearance above the pipeline.

Photos of the Trans Alaska Pipeline with Aurora in the middle of the winter.

Purple, yellow and green streaks of light paint the night sky and across the Milky Way.

The Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (APSC) is the operator of the 800 mile long pipeline.

Photos of the Trans Alaska Pipeline during the winter.

The pipeline zigzags across the Alaskan landscape. This is in fact by design, in order to withstand small to medium earthquakes.

Below: When the pipeline is above ground, many of the supports are fitted with heat sinks designed to dissipate the heat coming the oil. This was an important design consideration to mitigate impacts to the permafrost.

Pictures of the Trans Alaska Pipeline at various locations along the Dalton Highway.