US government finds issues with Taps

Trans Alaska pipeline: US government finds issues

SCANPIX/AP Photo/Al Grillo

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By News Wires

 11 February 2011 18:44 GMT

The US government's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has begun a thorough investigation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (Taps), following a leak that required the line to shut down temporarily in early January.



The division of the US Department of Transport found that the line appears to have "multiple conditions" that "pose a pipeline integrity risk to public safety, property or the environment," according to a letter sent by regulators to the pipeline operator at the beginning of February.

The letter puts operator Alyeska on notice that it may soon be required to fix the line so it can continue to operate safely, Reuters reported.

Among the issues along the pipeline are internal wall corrosion that reaches 80% in some spots, the letter said.

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