Salt Lake CC, Math 1210

Pipeline Project

The U.S. Interior Secretary recently approved drilling of natural gas wells near Vernal,
Utah. Your company has begun drilling and established a high-producing well on BLM ground.
They now need to build a pipeline to get the natural gas to their refinery.

BLM Ground

17 miles
BLM Ground
42 miles

Private Ground

97 miles - BLM Ground

While running the line directly to the refinery will be the least amount of pipe and shortest
distance, it would require running the line across private ground and paying a right-of-way fee.
There is a mountain directly east of the well that must be drilled through in order to run the
pipeline due east.

Your company can build the pipeline around the private ground by going 17 miles directly
west and then 42 miles south and finally 97 miles east to the refinery (see figure above). Cost
for materials, labor and fees to run the pipeline across BLM ground is $98,750 per mile.

Cost of drilling through the existing mountain would be a one-time cost of $2,364,000 on
top of the normal costs ($98,750 per mile) of the pipeline itself. Also the BLM will require an
environmental impact study before allowing you to drill through the mountain. Cost for the study
is estimated to be $78,000 and will delay the project by 3 months costing the company another
$1,200 per month.

For any pipeline run across private ground, your company incurs an additional $24,300
per mile cost for right-of-way fees in addition to the normal costs ($98,750 per mile) of the
pipeline itself.
Your company has asked you to do the following:

a) Determine the cost of running the pipeline strictly on BLM ground with two different
cases:
i) One running west, south and then east to the refinery.

17+42+97=156 | 156(98,750)=$15,405,000

ii) One heading east through the mountain and then south to the refinery.

97-17=80 | 80+42=122 | 122(98,750)+2,364,000+78,000+3(1,200)=$14,493,100

b) Determine the cost of running the pipeline:
i) The shortest distance across the private ground to the refinery.

98,750+24,300=123,050 | √422 + 802 (123,050) = $11,118,165.03

ii) Straight south across the private ground, then straight east to the refinery.

42(123,050)+80(98,750)=$13,068,100

c) Determine the cost function for the pipeline for the configuration involving running from
the well across the private ground at some angle and intersecting the BLM ground to the
south and then running east to the refinery. Use this function to find the optimal way to
run the pipeline to minimize cost. Determine the length of pipe that runs across private
land and how far from the refinery it starts running on BLM land. After finding the optimal
pipe configuration, determine the angle at which your optimal path leaves the well.
Clearly show all work including drawing the pipeline configuration. Make it very clear how
you use your knowledge of calculus to determine the optimal placement of the pipeline.

𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑥
tan 𝜃 = →
𝑎𝑑𝑗 42
𝑦 2 = 𝑥 2 + 422 → 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 + 1764

Cost function:
𝐶(𝑥) = 98,750𝑥 + 123,050𝑦
𝐶(𝑥) = 98,750(80 − 𝑥) + 123,050√𝑥 2 + 1,764
Derivative:
1 1
𝐶 ′ (𝑥) = −98,750 + 123,050 ( ) (𝑥 2 + 1,764)−2 (2𝑥)
2
123,050𝑥
𝐶 ′ (𝑥) = 1 − 98,750
(𝑥 2 + 1,764)2
Minimum value:
1
𝐶 ′ (𝑥) = −98,750(𝑥 2 + 1,764)2 + 123,050𝑥
1
−98,750(𝑥 2 + 1,764)2 + 123,050𝑥 = 0
1
−98,750(𝑥 2 + 1,764)2 = −123,050𝑥
987502 𝑥 2 + 987502 + 1,764 = 123,0502 𝑥 2
987502 𝑥 2 = 1230502 𝑥 2 − 987502 ∗ 1764
987502 𝑥 2 − 1230502 𝑥 2 = −987502 ∗ 1764
22 ∗ 792 ∗ (54 )2 𝑥 2 − (52 ∗ 2 ∗ 23 ∗ 107)2 𝑥 2 = −987502 ∗ 1764
4𝑥 2 (6241 ∗ 52∗4 − 6056521 ∗ 52∗2 ) = −987502 ∗ 1764
−5389740000𝑥 2 = −987502 ∗ 1764
𝑥 2 = (987502 ∗ 49)/(149715000)
 (553√149715000)
𝑥=
119772
Angle:
553√149715000
tan 𝜃 = 119772
42
𝜃 ≈ 53.3714°
Distance:
2
(553√149715000)
𝑦 = √( ) + 1764
119772
𝑦 ≈ 70.3958
(553√149715000)
𝑑 = 80 −
119772
𝑑 ≈ 23.506
Minimum cost:
𝐶 = 98,750(23.506) + 123,050(70.3958) = $10,983,423.64
Include a computer generated graph of the optimal cost function, “C(x)”, for this pipeline
for any configuration involving crossing some private ground as well as some BLM
ground. Make sure to use the correct domain of the function to scale your axes
appropriately and to label the minimum point. (a desmos screenshot will work)
 Write up a report of your finding to submit to your company’s CEO. This report should
include all steps for any math used to make determinations asked for above as well as
statements as to the costs to be incurred by each scenario. Include any appropriate figures to
make each scenario clear. Label the scenarios as they are labeled above.

Dear CEO,

Out of the different options, the last scenario was the best choice for the pipeline. All
math word and proof can be found in the figures above. The first option where we would go
away from the mountain 17 miles and around to the refinery costs $15,405,000, this is the most
expensive option. The second option is going through the mountain. This option would cost
$14,493,100 but it would also delay construction of the pipeline by 3 months. The third option is
to do a straight line through the private land even though it’s more expensive to do so. This
option costs $11,118,165.03. The fourth option is to go across the private land straight south
and then go to the refinery this option would cost $13,068,100. The last option is the best option
and involves going at the optimal angle through the private land and then going to the refinery.
The optimal angle is 53.3714° and if we were to do the pipe at that angle the cost would be
$10,983,423.64.

Reflection

In calculus I have learned many different things that calculus can be used for. How we can
find the velocity function from the derivative of the position function. We can even find the
acceleration function by taking the derivative of the velocity function. We can also use it to
calculate the complex shapes like the area between curves which can be used when planning
an architectural structure.

Expectations:

• All of the mathematical steps will be shown and will be correct

• All equations and formulas will be created using an equation editor
• Use exact values, rounding costs to the nearest cent only after the final calculation
• Each pipeline scenario will be clearly labeled on a computer generated diagram
showing the path that is being considered
• Any variables you use will be clearly defined and shown in your diagrams
• The cost function graph will be accurately generated using mathematical software
• A word-processed explanatory narrative with correct spelling and grammar will
allow the reader to follow your process

Your report should be an exposition of your finest work and presentation.

 Also, in your report, include a reflection of the things you have learned in your calculus
class and how they may apply to the real world. Can you make the argument that calculus is a
useful tool? What kinds of things have you learned that can be useful in your areas of interest?
Please be specific and give some examples to back up your statements. Your reflection
needs to be typed-not hand written and included with the report.

Math 1210 is a Quantitative Studies General Education course. Scan or save a copy of your
finished report to upload to your SLCC e-Portfolio so that it can be found under this category.
You will NOT receive a grade for the assignment if it is not uploaded to your e-Portfolio.