TRANS-ALASKA PIPELINE: ACTIONS TO IMPROVE SAFETY ARE UNDER WAY

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), operated by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, transports nearly 20% of the nation's domestically produced oil and has operated for nearly 20 years without a major oil spill. However, throughout the pipeline's years of construction and operation, problems with the condition of the pipeline, the quality assurance program of its operator, and the effectiveness of the government's monitoring efforts have been reported. More than 4,900 deficiencies in TAPS have been identified. This report contains the General Accounting Office's response to a request to (1) assess Alyeska's progress in correcting TAPS deficiencies; (2) specifically, determine whether the corrective actions planned for three areas of deficiencies--electrical systems, quality, and preventive maintenance--will address the deficiencies; (3) determine whether regulators are taking action to improve regulatory oversight of the pipeline; and (4) identify the root causes of the deficiencies.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.gao.gov/docdblite/summary.php?recflag=&rptno=RCED-95-162
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Report to Congressional Requesters.
• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. General Accounting Office

  441 G Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20548
• Publication Date: 1995-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 59 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash causes; Deficiencies; Electrical systems; Oversight; Preventive maintenance; Quality assurance
• Identifier Terms: Alaska Gas Pipeline; Trans Alaska Pipeline
• Uncontrolled Terms: Correction (Mathematics)
• Subject Areas: Pipelines; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00713016
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: GAO/RCED-95-162
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 17 1995 12:00AM