WHEREAS, the largest oilfield in North America was discovered at Prudhoe Bay with the successful Prudhoe Bay State No. 1 well in 1968; and
WHEREAS, the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) began at the Tonsina River in March 1975 and over the next two years, more than 70,000 people worked day and night, overcoming logistical, engineering and construction challenges in order to complete construction of the 800 mile pipeline on May 31, 1977; and
WHEREAS, the first oil-flow from Pump Station 1 was achieved on June 20, 1977 and oil reached the Valdez Marine Terminal 39 days later on July 28, 1977 and the first cargo of Alaska North Slope oil departed the Valdez terminal, aboard the ARCO M/V Juneau; and
WHEREAS, TAPS was designed and planned to deliver an estimated nine billion barrels of North Slope oil over a 20 year operational life, TAPS, in true fashion, has far exceeded this and has transported more than 18 billion barrels of oil over its 45 years of operations; and
WHEREAS, TAPS is recognized worldwide as one of the most economically successful engineering projects in American history; and
WHEREAS, a focus on innovation and promoting the highest engineering and environmental standards, TAPS is positioned to continue the legacy of providing safe and environmentally responsible transportation of Alaska North Slope oil for decades to come.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim June 20, 2022 as the:
45th Anniversary of TAPS Operations
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of the individuals who, over the course of 45 years, have pumped more than 18 billion barrels of oil through Alaska’s economic lifeline.
Dated: June 20, 2022
