The trans-Alaska pipeline

Alyeska preconstruction promises for the trans-Alaska pipeline pledged minimal environmental disturbance. However, through mismanagement in the exploitation of Alaskan oil, construction-related oil and petroleum products spills amounted to about 560,000 gal. Even after completion of construction, an unexpected break in a section of the oil pipe, a pump house blow up, and violations in welding codes were added to the trans-Alaska pipeline problems. Additional foulups, such as quality control failures, widespread stream siltation and erosion, and engineering and logistics problems, prompted the Alaska Pipeline Commission to investigate the way that corporate managers had handled the pipeline project. The findings revealed that corporate owners had ignored recommendations for more money to be spent for critical planning; cost controls had been poorly planned and ineptly executed; and there had been a lack of cost consciousness. 1 drawing.