TAPS moves its 17 billionth barrel on July 19, 2014

The 17 billionth barrel of Alaskan North Slope crude flowed down the 800-mile Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

“This is an operational milestone and legacy that we are all proud of,” said Tom Barrett, President of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company and RDC board member. “We have a remarkable team on TAPS. The work they do every day directly benefits our company, our owner companies, and the state. It also benefits our communities across Alaska.”

TAPS startup occurred on June 20, 1977, with the first barrel of oil arriving in Valdez on July 28. The first tanker departed the terminal a few days later.

The pipeline transformed Alaska from a frontier state to a modern and thriving northern economy. In its 37 years of operation, TAPS has generated approximately $183 billion in state revenue, and the oil and gas industry accounts for 92 percent of the state’s discretionary funds. In 1988, 2 million barrels per day flowed through the pipeline, accounting for 25 percent of domestic production.

The pipeline’s startup and first major operational achievements were met with fanfare and national recognition. Decades later, Alyeska still celebrates major operations landmarks – such as the number of tankers loaded – 21,300 and counting.

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