Over Two Decades in the Oil Pipeline Business

The Pipeline System

GVEA's pipeline, located in North Pole, travels in a 4.6-mile loop from the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) to the Flint Hills Refinery and Petro Star Refineries. Currently a 14" pipe carries crude oil from the TAPS to the refineries while a 16" pipe carries residual oil back to the TAPS. A considerable portion, approximately 20-25%, of the total TAPS volume moves through GVEA's pipeline system.

The pipeline route travels west from the North Pole Metering Station, under Seavy Drive and traverses Seavy Subdivision. Then it crosses the Richardson Highway and frontage roads, travels under a large water-filled gravel pit, along the Chena Slough and Buzby Road, three seasonal sloughs, the Alaska Railroad, the Old Richardson Highway and H&H Lane. It terminates at GVEA's pigging facilities on H&H Lane where the refineries connect to GVEA's pipeline system.

There are two metering stations, one is owned by the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. and is located where GVEA's system connects to the TAPS and the second is located near the refineries. These facilities measure the volume and consistency of crude flowing out of the TAPS and the volume and quality of residual flowing back into the TAPS.

A History of Growth

Golden Valley has been in the pipeline business for the past 26 years. In 1974 the co-op began plans for this pipeline in order to guarantee a steady supply of fuel for its North Pole Power Plant. The pipeline system went on line in 1979. Initially, it consisted of a 6" crude line from the TAPS and a 8" residual line. At that time, there was only one small refinery connected to the pipeline system, which was owned by Earth Resources Company of Alaska. This refinery was later purchased by MAPCO, then Williams Energy, and most recently by Flint Hills Refinery.

Less than a decade after GVEA's pipeline had been in service, there was need for expansion. In 1985 MAPCO, now Flint Hills, purchased the existing refinery and Petro Star announced plans to construct a refinery in North Pole. To serve both refineries, GVEA needed to increase pipeline capacity. A new 14" crude pipeline was installed and both the original 6" and 8" pipelines were then placed into residual service.

By 1995 expansion was once again necessary. Crude flow was maximized and there could be no further increases in flow without adding another connection into the TAPS.

While expansion plans were underway, Alyeska announced plans to close Pump 8. Pumps regulate the flow of crude traveling through the pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. With Pump Station 8 closed, a higher flow rate would result, which would decrease the amount of crude that could be extracted. This would have meant that the refineries would have had access to only 60% of their current supply.

To continue maintaining the necessary flow rate to the refineries, Golden Valley needed a new pipeline. In just thirteen weeks, GVEA designed and constructed a new 16" residual line. This was an $8.5 million investment and a great undertaking, considering ordering time, weather and construction time lines. Shortly after, Alyeska began construction on a new metering station, an upgrade that was necessary to meet the demands of the new pipeline.

Prepared for the Future

GVEA's original 6" and 8" lines were both decommissioned from pipeline service in 1997. These pipes are now used as conduit for a fiber optic connection which allows Golden Valley to remotely operate its North Pole Power Plant and transfers pipeline leak detection data to GVEA personnel in Fairbanks.

The latest expansion of the co-op's pipeline will allow for growth well into the future and will help continue to keep GVEA's electric rates among the lowest in the state.

What To Do in Case of a Pipeline Related Emergency

In its 26-year pipeline history, Golden Valley has never had a pipeline leak. But your co-op believes the communities involved should be prepared just in case. Most pipeline emergencies are caused by excavation machinery operating in a pipeline right-of-way. Prior authorization is required before performing excavation activities in GVEA’s pipeline right-of-way.

Recognizing a leak

Sight Dark liquid or discolored vegetation near the pipelines may indicate a leak.

Sound Any unusual sound such as a hissing, drone or roar may be a sign of a leak.

Smell Crude oil may have an odor similar to fuel oil or gasoline.

If a leak occurs

• Leave the area immediately.
• Warn others nearby of the possibility of a pipeline emergency.
• Call 911 when at a safe distance.
• Do not enter an area where a spill, leak or vapor cloud is present.
• Do not touch leaking liquids or breathe leaking gases.
• Do not create a source of ignition by creating sparks, lighting matches, starting an engine, switching on a light or electrical appliance, or using a cellular phone or flash camera.