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south. It underlies approximately 111 Alaska oil and gas leases
owned by various oil and gas companies.
Construction of Trans-Alaska Pipeline and
Unitization of Prudhoe Bay Oil Field
In 1969, Exxon, ARCO, and BP announced plans to construct a
798-mile pipeline to transport oil recovered from the Prudhoe Bay
oil field to the port of Valdez, Alaska, from which the oil would
be shipped to the lower 48 States and to other destinations
throughout the World. This pipeline came to be known as the
Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS).
TAPS was constructed under rights-of-way granted in 1974 by
the Federal Government and Alaska to a group of seven pipeline
companies, including subsidiaries of Exxon, ARCO, and BP.
By early 1977 construction of TAPS was completed, and on
June 20, 1977, oil production began from the wells located in the
Prudhoe Bay oil field, and oil began flowing through TAPS to the
port in Valdez, Alaska.
Production Facilities Constructed in the Prudhoe Bay Oil Field
Engineering obstacles that had to be overcome to construct
the Prudhoe Bay oil wells and oil production facilities were
enormous. The North Slope’s harsh conditions, fragile
environment, and remote location presented unique challenges to
the design, construction, and installation of the Prudhoe Bay oil
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Last modified: May 25, 2011