Brine Leak at Pump Station 11
Glennallen Response Base. Photo by John Tierney
Allison Sayer - CRR Staff
The typically quiet Glennallen Response Base at Alyeska Pipeline Pump Station 11 is currently busy with additional equipment and personnel.
Michelle Egan, Chief Communications Officer for Alyeska, stated in an email that crews are digging in the area to determine the cause of a “loss of brine” in the network of refrigeration lines that keep the ground frozen around the mainline. The leak was automatically detected in late December, which triggered a shutdown of the affected unit.
Egan continued, “We used a recovery system to return the brine to tankage, removing it from the system. We are now digging in the area to determine the cause, repair where needed, and do any remediation. That process takes time as we are proceeding with precautions for safety and the integrity of the pipe in the area, and the ground is frozen. We’ve been working closely with regulators since the situation began.”
Anna Carey, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Central Region Manager for the Prevention Preparedness and Response Department, stated that Egan’s report is consistent with the DEC’s understanding of the situation. However, as of press time, DEC personnel had not conducted any on-site work in the area.
The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council, a watchdog organization for the Alyeska terminal and tanker operations, is not able to monitor the land operations of the pipeline per their contract.
If you detect a spill or other emergency, call Alyeska at (907) 835-4709 or 911.