GAO REPORT CALL TAPS SECURITY 'VERY GOOD'

The General Accounting Office has found security for the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System very good. The pipeline moves nearly 25% of the oil the U.S. produces. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., TAPS operator, is responsible for its security program and has made arrangements for emergency support from various federal and state military and law enforcement agencies. Alyeska's security includes armed guards at key facilities, aerial and ground surveillance of the pipeline, and controlled access to

Dec. 23, 1991

2 min read

The General Accounting Office has found security for the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline System very good.

The pipeline moves nearly 25% of the oil the U.S. produces.

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., TAPS operator, is responsible for its security program and has made arrangements for emergency support from various federal and state military and law enforcement agencies.

Alyeska's security includes armed guards at key facilities, aerial and ground surveillance of the pipeline, and controlled access to key sites.

A report by GAO, a congressional watchdog agency, noted it would be impossible to completely secure 800 miles of pipeline and related facilities from a determined attack by trained terrorists.

It said, "The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Defense's Alaskan Command, Alaska state troopers, and Alaska's National Guard all described Alyeska's security program as professional and supported by federal and state resources in a coordinated manner.

"The actions taken by Alyeska to increase its security and work closely with federal and state agencies during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm appear to demonstrate that when needed, the appropriate military and law enforcement agencies were able to assist in a coordinated approach to protecting TAPS."

During Operation Desert Shield in 1990, Alyeska took the agencies on a survey of the entire line to familiarize them with facilities, security measures, and personnel. As a result, each agency updated or developed its plans for protecting TAPS.

During the Persian Gulf crisis, Alyeska spent an extra $3 million for security and met weekly-eventually daily-with military and law enforcement agencies.

GAO said the pipeline is among 1,000 facilities the Defense Department has included in its Key Assets Protection Program, which identifies facilities essential to national defense needs.

U.S. military forces held winter exercises in 1985 and 1987 to secure portions of the pipeline and test their ability to secure key facilities.

GAO noted the 1990 Oil Pollution Act established a presidential task force to review TAPS operations, including the need for security improvements. But Congress has not appropriated funds for the task force.