Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Celebrates Increased Throughput

January 13, 2023

Earlier this week, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the operator of the 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), announced that 2022 had been a good year.  For those twelve months, TAPS had seen an increase in throughput, relative to 2021, with an average of 483,415 barrels a day being delivered to TAPS’ terminus in Valdez.

This marked the first time since 2017 that increased production was achieved, and is a testament to the technical expertise and ingenuity of existing North Slope producers, coupled with a few new fields coming online. 

Let’s not forget that two megaprojects are coming, as long as the Biden Administration doesn’t waylay them.  The first is Willow, a ConocoPhillips Alaska field in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, which will produce 160,000-180,000 barrels a day when fully operational.  That project is being delayed by the Department of Interior, whose re-review of the Trump-era approval of the project has set the timeline back, and given the eco-left another chance to sound off against the so-called dangers of further development in the Arctic.

The second field is Pikka, which is located on state land, and stands to produce another 80,000 barrels a day when fully functioning.  The zealots preaching ‘no new oil’ have put Pikka in their sights, targeting it and asking the federal government to do something – anything – to halt its progress. Power The Future will continue to advocate for domestic production, American jobs, America and Alaska revenue sources and the continued safe and responsible development of our nation’s energy opportunities.  TAPS’ increased production is a cause for celebration, but if the extremists have their way, it’ll be the last one for a while, and that would be a shame for Alaska and its incredibly talented energy community.