[saganite]

Not to be a party pooper but if that section of pipeline is showing severe corrosion it calls into question the integrity of the entire line. Also, I'm betting they don't have spare pipe sitting around for repairs. I'm afraid this could take longer than a few days.

[thackney]

but if that section of pipeline is showing severe corrosion it calls into question the integrity of the entire line.

This is not the Main North Slope to Valdez Line but a smaller line (one of several) that brings oil from the different gathering centers to the main line.

[Cold Heat]

From what I can gather together, the section is three miles long and they have had some spills in various places. They have plans to replace it, and it appears it will be down until the enviro's say it is ok.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20060807/D8JBAG9G0.html

[redhead]

"Not to be a party pooper but if that section of pipeline is showing severe corrosion it calls into question the integrity of the entire line. Also, I'm betting they don't have spare pipe sitting around for repairs. I'm afraid this could take longer than a few days."

Don't forget: The pipeline is over thirty years old. Every time they send the pig down the line to clean out the buildup of paraffin, they wear the pipe a little. The steel is about 3/4" thick, but in a situation like this, every milimeter counts. What would you rather have: A few days' shutdown while they repair a portion that no longer meets exacting specs, or a major oil spill sometime in the future, shutting down the whole system for God knows how long? And, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to learn that they do keep spare pipe around for repairs, just in case, and have had it there since the line was built. (been here since before construction, actually...)

[VastRWCon]

I saw a show on the history channel they said that the Alaskan Pipeline was 30 years old already and that it was only built to last 20 years.