The Pipeline runs right through the middle of Alaska, quite literally, and the oil and gas industries are the backbone of Alaska’s economy. If you happen to find yourself anywhere along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, seeing it up close is pretty darn cool. It is simply amazing that a tube with a 48-inch diameter runs over 800 miles of Alaskan wilderness and keeps the crude oil pumping night and day throughout the year. Learn about the incredible engineering and see some sweeping Alaskan views when you stop to marvel at the Pipeline and the millions of dollars of oil that flow through it per hour.

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline runs from Prudhoe Bay on the North Slope of Alaska all the way down to Valdez on the southern coast. It is privately owned by the Alyeska Corporation.
Arthur T. LaBar | Flickr
You can see the Pipeline easily along the Dalton Highway up north, from the Pipeline Viewing Area near Fairbanks, along the Richardson Highway, and near Valdez. The map shows the pump stations where crews vigilantly keep watch.
Flominator | Wikipedia
The line passes through the Arctic region and the mountains of the Brooks Range, including the famed Atigun Pass. It cuts through the Alaska and Chugach Mountain Ranges as well.
Bureau of Land Management Alaska | Flickr
Crude oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay in 1968 and the Pipeline was built between 1974 and 1977, bringing an intense period of jobs, wealth, and a boom town vibe to Fairbanks, Anchorage and Valdez.
Luca Galuzzi | Wikipedia
The Pipeline is constructed with layers of insulation and double walls of steel to prevent oil spills.
James Brooks | Flickr

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Machines called "pigs" are designed to scrape waxy buildup off the walls of the line and make sure the oil is moving. The colder it is, the more wax build up, the more "piggings" are needed to keep the line clear.
andoverkrey@verizon.net | Flickr
Special heat pipes called thermosyphons conduct heat created by the fast moving oil to the fins at the top of the pipes in order to avoid thawing the permafrost, ground that stays frozen year-round.
Beeblebrox | Wikipedia
Elaborate suspension systems make sure the line securely travels over the rivers on its way south.
Curtis Cronn | Flickr
To protect from earthquake damage, the pipeline is on sliders where is crosses a known fault line.
U.S. Geological | Wikipedia
The Pipeline attracts tens of thousands of tourists annually on Pipeline related tourism trips. Add this marvel of engineering to your Alaska bucket list!
IIP Photo Archive | Flickr

Check out The Jaw-Dropping Mountain Pass In Alaska That’s Unlike Any Other In The World and the The Perfectly Alaskan Hotel With The Most Breathaking Views Of The Northern Lights.

Have you seen the Pipeline? Do you work on it? Tell us about it in the comments below.

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