March 25, 2009

Coast Guard, Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation monitoring Cook Inlet Pipeline Company survey of Drift River Terminal

From a US Coast Guard press release:

An assessment of the Drift River Terminal is underway. Cook Inlet Pipeline personnel have returned to the facility today to conduct surveys.

The Coast Guard and Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation are monitoring the situation and communicating with Cook Inlet Pipeline Company. Another over flight of the area is being conducted today.

The tank farm remains intact. No release of oil or sheen has been reported. Lahars and muddy water have covered the runway and inundated the hangar. Some limited amounts of sediment laden water lapped over portions of the tertiary containment berm surrounding the tank farm but did not come close to the secondary containment or the tanks.

Approximately 148,000 barrels of crude oil are located at the facility. Two of the seven tanks located at the facility are in use. The facility remains shut down at this time.

Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response in Nikiski is on stand by to respond to any release of product from the facility.