Cathodic protection project wraps up near Valdez

Alyeska civil project teams this summer have worked along some of the pipeline’s steepest terrain, upgrading the cathodic protection system that combats external corrosion on the 48-inch mainline pipe.

The project covers some 20 miles of the Right of Way near Valdez. Most recently, the group is tackling the third, final and most difficult segment of the project, in Keystone Canyon.

“This is probably one of the most dangerous stretches of the pipeline,” said Chris Vaden, the Project Superintendent with Ahtna Construction, the contractor on the job. “We’re on hills with grades of 48 percent to 52 percent. It’s rained almost every day and we’ve been fighting that the whole time too. We deal with it, and we proceed only when it is safe to do so.”

This particular Ahtna crew has drawn a lot of praise: They have a reputation for being skilled and hard-working, and have worked together for more than a year without any injuries.

“They’re getting it done, and they’re doing it safely,” said Ray Richards, an Alyeska Construction Supervisor. “They work really, really well together.”

Crews are carefully surveying the pipe location, excavating trenches along the pipeline, laying down cushioning beds of sand and cathodic protection wiring. Electricians bring the system online. The cathodic protection delivers an electrical current that helps prevent corrosion on the mainline pipe.

As a safety measure, traffic is closely controlled, with limited vehicles on site, and all driving along the Right of Way is monitored to prevent run-ins on the narrow, one-way roads. Work runs around the clock, with Hamilton Construction delivering sand during the night shift to provide a safer work site by day.

“We’re dealing with digging and maintaining these ditches with saturated soil,” Richards said. “We always talk about maintaining your footing and keeping equipment up and away from the edges because we don’t need it caving in.”

A strong cathodic protection system is one element of Alyeska’s overall strategy to prevent, detect and repair corrosion, and supports Alyeska’s commitment to safely operating the pipeline and minimizing its impact to the environment.