Structures / Alaska Pipeline, Valdez Oil Terminal
Address
Cook Inlet, Valdez, Alaska
Lat / Lng
Year Constructed
1975
Structural Engineer(s)
Architect(s)
Ed Stram, P.E.
Main Contractor
Flour Corporation
Significance to Structural Engineering History in Northern California
The Valdez Oil Terminal was the terminus of the 800 mile, Alaska Pipeline from Prudoe Bay to Cook Inlet allowed the multi-billion dollar transport of North Slope Oil to refineries in North America and Asia.
Structure Description
The $ 1.4 billion Valdez Marine Terminal at end of the Trans Alaskan Pipeline System was designed for shipping crude oil onto tanker ships. Earl & Wright design included construction completed in November 1976, of four (4) tanker ship berths, in 100 feet water depth, that include berthing dolphins, mooring dolphins, connecting walkways, and associated crude oil piping and mechanical systems. The first tanker “ARCO Juneau” sailed out of Valdez with North Slope crude oil in August 1977.
Interesting Facts
- The Exxon Valdez oil tanker left the terminal loaded with oil and ran aground on Bligh Reef on March 24, 1989 causing one of the largest oil spills in history.