The Trans Alaska Pipeline
From Prudhoe Bay (on the north Arctic Ocean coast) to Valdez (on the southern Prince William Sound)

If you are interested in the mechanics of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, how it was placed to take into account of
the hot oil flowing thru' pipes burred in frozen (Tundra) ground; what it looks like as it went over rivers and streams,
and under roadways; and crossed earthquake zones ... Then click on down.

The pipeline as it crosses the state of Alaska

A more detailed depiction of the route.

On many places along the Richardson Highway, the 48-inch inside diameter pipeline is visible, and accessible.

(above & below) "Pigs," as they are called, are used to clean out the interior of the line. The are pushed along by the force of the oil.

There is a pipeline view area just north of Fairbanks.

Here we see how the pipeline is mounted, with the ability to slide side-to-side as the temperature expands and contracts the pipeline. They also zig-zag for the same reason.

At the Fairbanks viewing center, a milepost tells you where you are. The pipeline travels from Prudhoe Bay (450 miles to the north), to Valdez (350 miles to the south).

Here is the pipeline crossing a (small) river. The pipeline crosses over 800 river and streams throughout its length.

Where a road/highway is encountered, the pipeline is buried.

An explanation of the process.

See the heat pipes in this section of the pipeline. (Explanation below)

More heat pipes ...

(above & below) When the pipeline crosses the Tanana River, some special techniques were utilized.

Back to the bow and arrow...

Another view of the Tanana River crossing.

Here the pipeline is permitted to slide from side to side. (above & below)

Jean, standing by one of the slide sections. The pipeline can move 22,000 gallons of oil each minute, or up to 754,000 barrels a day. (One barrel equals 42 gallons.)

As we near Valdez, we find another accessible viewpoint for the pipeline,

You can see the "You Are Here" notation.

Another opportunity to get up 'close and personal' with the pipeline.

And, when it's all done, it ends of at the pipeline terminal at Valdez. (below)

If you look closely, you will see some of the many tanks (there are a total of 18 crude oil storage tanks) on the hillside, across the from Valdez.

The tanks are 250 feet in diameter, and 62 feet, 3 inches high, and hold 510,000 barrels each, for a total of 9.18 million barrels. (Each tank is surrounded by a concrete dike, which can hold 110% of the oil in the tanks.) There are four ship loading berths. They can handle from of 80,000 to 110,000 barrels per hour.   Just an item of note: On June 25th, we bought gas, and as I was looking out over at the pipeline terminal, we were filling our gas tank at the rate of $4.929 per. Doesn't seem right somehow, does it?