Officials to try again Sunday to remove oil from Drift River tanks

April 04, 2009

The Drift River oil terminal remains in tact after Saturday's latest eruption, but plans to remove about half the oil there were scuttled. (KTUU-TV)

by Leyla Santiago
Saturday, April 4, 2009

Editor's note: This story has been edited to clarify ownership of the terminal.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Mount Redoubt's Saturday reawakening affected plans at the Drift River oil terminal.

Workers were supposed to move 3 million gallons of crude oil out of the tanks, but the volcano's latest eruption has those plans on hold.

The Coast Guard says the Tesoro tanker that was to transfer the crude oil was turned away when the volcano exploded. The next attempt will be Sunday morning, conditions permitting.

"This morning's events caused us to re-evaluate that approach and the tanker was turned around," Capt. Mark Hamilton said.

The oil terminal, owned by Chevron and Pacific Energy, sits at the base of the volcano and planned to draw down crude oil for the first time since Mount Redoubt began erupting March 22.

"By not moving the oil we also affect the people, the economy and various other aspects," Hamilton said.

The plan was to transfer about half the crude oil sitting in two of seven tanks on site and leave about 3.3 million gallons.

"Our priority is to remove the crude oil at Drift River terminal to the safe working level of the tanks," said Rod Ficken, vice president of Cook Inlet Pipe Line Co., which operates the facility.

A Tesoro-chartered tanker was scheduled to arrive at the terminal Saturday morning and take the crude to the closest oil platform.

"They were a few hours away from the terminal when the eruption occurred," Hamilton said. "They were caught up in a portion of the ash cloud."

Cook Inlet Pipe Line officials say glacier melt and debris did not damage any oil tanks or equipment.

But 6 million gallons of crude oil and 11 employees inside a safe haven remain at the terminal.

"We've always felt that human safety is the most important priority," said Bob Shavelson with Cokk Inletkeeper. "But we've also been told that oil has to remain in the tanks, but that's only if Chevron profits are a priority over fisheries protection."

"Profits aren't our concern at this time," Ficken said. "The integrity of the tanks at our terminal, the safety of our people, and the safety of the environment are our priority."

The State of Alaska says it is planning a spill response in the event oil is released.

As for how long the oil transfer process could take, Chevron said there are too many factors involved and could not give an exact amount of time that it would take to complete.

Contact Leyla Santiago at lsantiago@ktuu.com

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