Permafrost Degradation Impacts on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline

Abstract

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System transports warm crude oil over 800 miles through a 4-ft-diameter pipeline (i.e., the “mainline”) from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope to the Valdez Marine Terminal on the Gulf of Alaska. TAPS traverses three major mountain ranges, several active faults, and continuous and discontinuous permafrost terrain. Permafrost is generally defined as ground that remains at or below 32°F for at least two consecutive years. Permafrost with temperatures between 32°F and 30°F is generally referred to as “warm permafrost,” while permafrost with temperatures below 30°F is referred to as “cold permafrost.”