CD5 Pipeline System

Alaska

Michael Baker is the engineer of record for the CD5 pipeline system, connecting the CD5 drill site to the Alpine processing facility. CD5 is a satellite development of the Alpine oil field, owned and operated by ConocoPhillips, in the Colville River Delta on the North Slope of Alaska. The CD5 pipeline system includes four operating, infield service pipelines; produced oil, water injection, gas injection, and miscible injection.

Work on the project began in the early 2000s. After more than a decade of permitting and regulatory effort, the CD5 project was granted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit required to begin construction. The project consisted of constructing a drilling pad, access road and pipelines. Our scope on the project included all aspects of the pipeline design and project hydrology.  

Pipelines on the North Slope of Alaska are unique in that they are designed and constructed in an above ground mode to prevent thawing of the underlying permafrost. Warm pipelines would cause this permafrost to melt and once melted the ground could not adequately support the pipelines. By keeping the pipelines above ground this potential failure is avoided. One of the many unique challenges to engineering in an arctic environment.