Trans-Alaska Pipeline Operating After Weekend Maintenance

SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones)--The Trans-Alaska Pipeline was operating normally Monday after being shut over the weekend for scheduled maintenance, the pipeline operator said. The pipeline was shut between 6 a.m. local time Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. said in a release. The repairs and inspections weren't related to the electrical problems that caused an oil spill and nearly four-day pipeline shutdown last month. A second summer maintenance shutdown is planned for the pipeline July 31 to Aug. 1, Alyeska said. The pipeline is owned by BP PLC (BP, BP.LN), ConocoPhillips (COP), Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), Chevron Corp. (CVX) and Koch Alaska Pipeline Co. The 800-mile Trans-Alaska Pipeline ships crude oil from fields on the North Slope to Port Valdez, where the oil is loaded onto tanker vessels. The oil flow on the pipeline has averaged about 650,000 barrels a day this year. -By Cassandra Sweet, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6468; cassandra.sweet@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 21, 2010 17:00 ET (21:00 GMT)