A recent federal report has highlighted the need for updates in the oversight of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) to adapt to changing conditions.
The report, released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), emphasizes that as operations of the Joint Pipeline Office (JPO)—a collective of federal and state agencies responsible for TAPS oversight—have diminished in recent years, potential gaps in regulatory oversight may have emerged.
Established in 1990 following the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill, the JPO includes several agencies such as the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The GAO report, requested by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, urges the JPO to redefine and document its intended outcomes regarding oversight activities.
This clarification would not only enable JPO agencies to align their shared goals but would also enhance accountability and coordination among them.
Moreover, the report stresses the necessity for the JPO to re-establish communication with the public about its regulatory and enforcement actions.
With an average daily flow of 482,495 barrels year-to-date, oil throughput has significantly declined from nearly 1.8 million barrels per day at the JPO’s inception, signaling a reduction in North Slope oil production.
According to Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., which operates the system, this lower volume affects pipeline operations by causing oil to cool quicker and move slower, which increases the risk of corrosion due to the deposition of solids.
Additionally, the impact of climate change has not gone unnoticed, with permafrost thawing threatening the integrity of the pipeline infrastructure, prompting Alyeska to undertake various maintenance and protection projects in areas prone to slumping.
In response to evolving operational challenges, Alyeska has implemented a “strategic reconfiguration” initiative, which has been rebranded as “electrification and automation.”
This program has led to increased automation, the consolidation of facilities along the pipeline and at the Valdez Marine Terminal, and a realignment of workforce locations to promote efficiency.
A significant shift has occurred in the composition and functions of the agencies that participate in the JPO over the years.
The agencies maintain communication and coordinate efforts including spill drills; however, the JPO has not had a common physical office since 2004.
Staffing cuts have also been prevalent within the JPO, leading to a suspension of regular public activity reports.
The last Comprehensive Monitoring Program report was published in 2007, and the last annual report was issued in 2005, raising concerns regarding transparency and oversight.
The GAO report also pointed out specific oversight gaps, particularly at the Valdez Marine Terminal.
One alarming incident cited was the discovery in 2022 of vapor leaks in 12 out of 14 oil storage tanks at the terminal, which brought to light criticisms regarding the safety culture in place.
Historically, the GAO has conducted multiple assessments of TAPS regulation and the JPO.
A 1995 report praised the Joint Pipeline Office for significantly improving oversight, but recent findings suggest that enhancements may be essential to ensure the system operates effectively in current and future conditions.
As the situation surrounding TAPS evolves, stakeholders and regulatory bodies must work proactively to ensure the pipeline’s integrity and safety for the future.
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