When a leak in the trans-Alaska oil pipeline was repaired and oil started flowing again earlier this week, the resumption didn’t garner much newspaper space in contrast to a few days earlier when comments by analysts brought headlines, including “an appreciable impact on the oil market” with oil headed toward $100 a barrel, reminds Grumpy Editor.
Many newspapers, in fact, did not report the resumption.
The 800-mile pipeline, carrying about 630,000 barrels a day, was shut down on Jan. 8 after a leak was discovered near a primary pumping station on the North Slope.
Gasoline stations, especially along the West Coast, immediately raised fuel prices.
The pipeline, owned by BP PLC, Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corp. and Koch Alaska Pipeline Co. LLC, resumed delivery of about 13 percent of the nation's daily domestic oil production to tankers for West Coast delivery.
Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. restarted the pipeline after installation of 157 feet of new pipe to route oil around the pumping station's leaking section.
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