NTSB Safety Recommendation P-79-015

NTSB safety recommendation P-79-015.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR: MONITOR THE ALYESKA REEVALUATION OF GROUND STABILIZATION IN ALL AREAS WHERE THE PIPELINE IS BURIED WITHOUT INSULATION IN BEDROCK OR GROUND CONSIDERED TO BE THAW STABILIZED. (URGENT)

Priority: CLASS I

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1979-07-13

Adopted Date: 1979-07-13

Overall Date Closed: 1988-04-13

Synopsis: ON JUNE 10, 1979, THE PILOT OF A HELICOPTER REPORTED SIGHTING OIL ON THE SURFACE OF THE ATIGUN RIVER NEAR THE ROUTE OF THE ALYESKA PIPELINE SERVICE COMPANY'S NORTH 48-INCH CRUDE OIL PIPELINE. THE OIL WAS SEEN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF ATIGUN PASS, 166 MILES SOUTH OF THE PIPELINE TERMINAL AT PRUDHOE BAY, ALASKA. ALYESKA WAS NOTIFIED AND BEGAN SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES AT 9 A.M. BY 9:28 A.M. THE NORTH SECTION OF THE LINE BETWEEN PUMP STATIONS NOS. 1 AND 4 WAS SHUT DOWN. BY 10:46 A.M. THE ENTIRE LINE HAD BEEN SHUT DOWN. THE PIPE BETWEEN PUMP STATIONS NOS. 4 AND 5 WAS DRAINED.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA79FP018

Report Number: None

Addressee Name: United States Department of the Interior

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-04-13

Addressee Acronym: DOI

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1988-04-13

Communication Type: Official Correspondence