Alaska Oil Pipeline Faces Degradation: The Next Oilspill Disaster?

In order for an oil pipeline in a cold environment like Alaska to maintain proper functionality it must maintain a steady flow of oil to avoid internal ice formation, water and wax deposit buildup and buckling. The trans-Alaska pipeline, hailed as the main economic artery of the U.S. state, is facing just such problems as oil flow decreases.

Oil provides close to 90 percent of Alaska’s unrestricted revenue, and at its peak, the trans-Alaska pipeline moved 2.1 million barrels of oil per day. Now, with drilling and exploration activities decreasing throughout the state, the pipeline is only moving 640,000 barrels per day and declining.

Source: Energy Digital