As TAPS nears 50 years, its vital story evolves
cialized businesses. The broader oil industry also remains one of the state’s largest sources of private-sector wages, investment and government revenue.
reliability and environmental stewardship. Modern systems provide operators with better infor - mation about pipeline conditions, including corrosion, ground movement and changing permafrost conditions. At the Valdez Marine Terminal and other facilities, modernization projects are also improving efficiency and reducing emissions while extending the useful life of critical infrastructure. The result is a TAPS system that looks very different operationally from the one that began moving oil in 1977. An economic engine for Alaska TAPS’ legacy is measured in more than barrels transported. Its construction helped create the Dalton Highway, the Yukon River crossing and a network of transportation, logistics and support infrastructure that continues to serve Alaska’s resource industries. The pipeline also helped establish an enduring business ecosystem. Today, Alyeska employs approximately 700 people, the vast majority of them Alaska residents, while contractors and support companies provide thousands of additional jobs connected to pipeline and oil activity. Those jobs support communities throughout Alas - ka and help sustain engineering, construction, aviation, transportation, environmental, technology and other spe-
The road to TAPS 100 The 50th anniversary is more than a look back. It is an opportunity to look ahead.
Alyeska and its partners are pursuing the regulato - ry and infrastructure work needed to support continued TAPS operations. A proposed 30-year federal right-of-way renewal, along with the state’s separate right-of-way process, points toward a long-term future for the system. At the same time, new North Slope projects are bringing additional production and investment to Alaska. That combi - nation — new oil, modern infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce — provides the foundation for TAPS’ next chapter. For five decades, the pipeline has connected North Slope resources with markets beyond the state while supporting jobs, businesses, communities and public services. As TAPS turns 50, its story is no longer simply about what the pipeline accomplished. It is about what comes next. TAPS 50 will mark a remarkable milestone. TAPS 100 is the vision for the future.
Together, these projects represent billions of dollars in new investment and provide an important foundation for the future of TAPS. For Alaska, the significance goes well beyond the barrels themselves. New production means continued work for pipeline operators, contractors, en - gineers, transportation companies, service providers and communities throughout the state. Modernizing a 50-year-old asset While the pipeline’s basic mission remains unchanged, the technology supporting TAPS has evolved dramatically. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. continues to invest in in - spection technologies, monitoring systems, automation, cybersecurity and other tools designed to improve safety,
New Slope oil production sets foundation for future EDITOR’S NOTE: The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System will celebrate its 50th anniversary of operations on June 20, 2027. In honor of the milestone, we’re offering a look at the past, present and future of its operations, providing a glimpse into what the next 50 years hold for TAPS and the push toward “TAPS 100.” As the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System approaches its 50th anniversary, new North Slope production and con - tinued investment are creating a strong foundation for its next chapter. When the first barrel of North Slope crude entered the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System on June 20, 1977, Alaska entered a new era. The 800-mile pipeline helped trans - form a young state, creating thousands of jobs, driving construction of roads and other infrastructure, and estab- lishing the foundation for decades of economic growth. Now, as TAPS approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, the iconic pipeline is preparing for another chapter. The focus is increasingly on TAPS 100 — extending the life of the system and ensuring it remains a cornerstone of Alaska’s resource economy for another 50 years. New generation of North Slope oil Perhaps the most encouraging development for TAPS is the emergence of a new generation of North Slope pro - duction. The Pikka project began production in 2026 and is expected to ramp toward approximately 80,000 barrels per day at full production. Meanwhile, ConocoPhillips’ Coyote development has begun producing oil, adding new volumes to the North Slope system. Farther west, construction continues on the company’s massive Willow project, which is expected to begin production in 2029 and ultimately reach as much as 180,000 barrels per day.
— Fireweed Strategies
TEMSCO
Serving all of Alaska since 1958 HELICOPTERS, INC.
TIMBER EXPLORATION MINING SURVEY CARGO OPERATIONS
As TAPS turns 50, its story is no longer simply about what the pipeline accomplished. It is about what comes next. TAPS 50 will mark a remarkable milestone. TAPS 100 is the vision for the future.
CONTINUED on PAGE 31 TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc PO Box 5057 Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Phone 907-225-5141 • fax 907-225-2340 • www.TemscoAir.com
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THE LINK: The Official Magazine of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance | FALL 2026
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