Gazprom denies it was at fault and blames the explosion on poor maintenance of the pipeline.

ECONOMIST: Turkmenistan's plight

Even that mark may fall by year-end, however, what with the pipeline chock full of loans without maintenance tests.

FORBES: Connect

North Slope producers are occasionally advised by Alyeska to prorate production, or reduce output proportionally, for example, when maintenance work is performed on the pipeline.

WSJ: BP to Cut Oil Production on Alaska's North Slope

Planting native shrubs in the pipeline pathways, which need to remain treeless to avoid root damage to pipes and to give maintenance crews access, would be better than just grass, the Nature Conservancy noted.

NPR: Northeast Drilling Boom Threatens Forest Wildlife