The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) project commenced its construction in March 1975, heralding the beginning of one of the most significant engineering feats of the 20th century. The pipeline was envisioned as a solution to the growing energy needs of the United States in the wake of the oil embargo of 1973, which demonstrated the nation's vulnerability to foreign oil supply disruptions. Its primary purpose was to ferry crude oil from the Prudhoe Bay oil fields in northern Alaska, where significant reserves had been discovered, to the port of Valdez, located in the southern region of the state. Construction involved laying pipelines over an intricate landscape, including mountains, tundra, and rivers, all while minimizing environmental impact.The project was spearheaded by an ambitious consortium of oil companies, including Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), Exxon, and others, coming together with strategic cooperation. The construction took place amid a backdrop of vigorous debate regarding environmental protection, indigenous rights, and energy policies. Despite strong opposition from some environmental groups and local Native Alaskan communities, who raised concerns about the possible ecological impacts and the rights to their ancestral lands, the project moved forward, buoyed by strong governmental support. The pipeline ultimately became operational in 1977 and significantly altered the course of the Alaskan economy. It played a pivotal role in establishing Alaska as a key player in the energy sector, facilitating the transport of over 17 billion barrels of oil over the decades that followed.