Important Types of Pipelines

There are two main types of pipelines within the energy sector: liquids and natural gas.

Fremont, CA: Pipelines are underground pipes that transport and distribute fluids. When talking about pipelines in an energy context, the fluids are generally oil, oil products, and natural gas. If hydrogen fuel gets widely developed, pipelines will be needed to transport this secondary fuel.

Outside of an energy context, pipelines ship other fluids like water. Oil and gas pipelines form broad distribution networks—providing about 825 000 kilometres of lines in Canada to transport natural gas, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, and other refined petroleum products. These lines vary in diameter based on their use and are usually underground.

Types of Pipelines

There are two main types of pipelines within the energy sector: liquids and natural gas. Liquid pipelines bring crude oil or natural gas to refineries, where they experience distillation and other production processes.

Some liquid pipelines are also employed to transport distilled petroleum products like gasoline to distribution centres. Natural gas pipelines are used solely for transporting natural gas to processing plants and distribution.

Natural gas is also commonly delivered directly to homes through pipelines. In addition to these two primary types of pipelines, there are additionally four other sub-categories of pipelines:

- Gathering Lines: These lines are about 10-30 centimetres in diameter and work to transport natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids short distances. They exist chiefly to assemble products from wells and move them for processing.

- Feeder Lines: Feeder lines transport crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids from storage tanks and processing facilities to transmission pipelines.

- Transmission Pipelines: These extend from 10 centimetres in diameter to over a meter. They take natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products (based on whether they are liquids or natural gas pipelines). These transport petroleum products long distances, comprising over international boundaries.

- Distribution Pipelines vary in diameter from 1-15 centimetres and distribute natural gas to homes and businesses.

Operation

Small diameter gathering lines for liquid pipelines that transport crude oil and liquefied petroleum products collect the product from where it is extracted. After moving to a gathering facility, it drives to feeder pipelines with relatively large diameters, transporting the product to refineries.

Transmission lines are utilized when oil and liquids have to travel long distances. Powerful pumps push the liquid through the pipe and move oil at walking speed. Liquid pipelines are very adaptable and can transport a variety of grades or varieties of crude oil and crude oil products.

Gas can flow as it moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure. This pressure difference is obtained through compressors that increase the pressure of the gas, pushing it along.

The process is likely for natural gas pipelines—extracted natural gas is transported for processing in gathering, and feeder lines then move into large transmission pipelines (generally composed of steel pipe). Driving the gas attains a distribution plant, companies decrease the pressure of the gas and distribute it using small distribution pipelines.

Environmental Concerns

Pipelines are a vital part of the use and transportation of assorted petroleum products. Environmental concerns with the construction and operation of pipelines vary depending on how and where the pipelines are being built. Some of the concerns include:

- Air quality is reduced due to dust production during construction and emissions due to the combustion of fossil fuels used for construction equipment.

- Increased noise pollution Because of construction and pumping stations.

- Soil erosion & contamination from construction and any leaks.

- Plant life is lost due to construction, surface disturbances, and changes in water flows.

- Water resource disturbances in quantity and quality result from erosion, herbicides, and leaks.