Caribou Options

[James]

Hi Tracy, are caribou and reindeer the same animal? Does the pipeline interfere with the caribou migrations, or effect the permafrost?

[Tracy_Alley]

James,

Hello! Caribou are wild reindeer. The pipeline does not interfere with caribou migrations, because the pipeline engineers were kind enough to think of the caribou and their travel patterns. There are places in the pipeline that are raised so caribou can walk under the pipeline.

Seventy-five percent of the pipeline passes through permafrost terrain. The pipeline engineers had to insulate the pipeline in some areas and in other areas ground refrigeration systems were used. There are eleven pump stations along the 800 mile pipeline to help with maintenance plus help provide pressure for the oil to move through the pipeline since oil is a viscous material.

Thank you for your questions!