Face to Face
Elizabeth “Betsy” Haines
Measurement and Scheduling Manager
Published February 2004

Betsy Haines grew up in Anchorage and competed as a Nordic skier in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. She is a mechanical engineer who worked as an Alyeska intern when in college. She joined Alyeska full time in 1980 as a project group engineer working on major piping projects.
Haines later supervised pump stations 2 and 3 and worked as an assistant to Alyeska president Bob Malone during the 1997 reorganization. She became measurement and scheduling manager in 1998.

Q: What does the Measurement and Scheduling Department do?

A: The Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is a common carrier that is owned by five “producer” companies that are business competitors. They depend on Measurement and Scheduling to determine when they can transport oil and then track exactly how much they move.

This process is complicated because every barrel of crude is unique and oil volume shrinks as it travels through the 800-mile-long pipeline. We follow American Petroleum Institute measuring standards and constantly maintain and validate our systems.

I came to this position thinking that measurement and scheduling was a straightforward job. In fact, everything varies and we must constantly adjust our systems to maintain consistency. Measurement and Scheduling is the heart of Alyeska because it is impacted by virtually everything that happens around the pipeline, from North Slope production changes, to pipeline maintenance operations and Prince William Sound weather.

Q: Is technology changing your job?

A: Absolutely. We are in the process of selecting and installing a new enterprise data management system that will give TAPS-wide access to measurements and scheduling information. This change will significantly improve Alyeska’s operations and business efficiency by giving everybody virtually instant access to the information they need when they need it.

Q: What’s next?

A: Alyeska is a great place to work. I really appreciate the trust that coworkers have shown in my ability and the opportunities the company has given to me. Now I’m working to ensure that other women are afforded the same kinds of opportunities that I’ve had.