Pipeline 101

Earthquake preparedness program 

TAPS design engineers faced many challenges, including the stability of permafrost and the three faults along the pipeline route. One of these, the Denali Fault, registered a 7.9 earthquake in 2002. The pipeline withstood the earthquake with only minor damage, much the way the original design team intended. Alyeska uses an earthquake monitoring system to help ensure facilities will function as required during and after earthquakes to prevent environmental damage, protect human health and safety, minimize capital loss, and minimize business interruption. The earthquake monitoring system also evaluates the severity of ground shaking along the pipeline route to assess the potential for damage to the pipeline and supporting facilities.