Oil and Gas Pipelines

What are pipelines, and what are they used for?

The pipeline network in the U.S. is a transportation system used to move goods and
materials. Pipelines transport a variety of products such as sewage and water.
However, the most common products transported are for energy purposes, which
include natural gas, biofuels, and liquid petroleum. Pipelines exist throughout the
country, and they vary by the goods transported, the size of the pipes, and the material
used to make pipes.

While some pipelines are built above ground, the majority of pipelines in the U.S. are
buried underground. Because oil and gas pipelines are well concealed from the public,
most individuals are unaware of the existence of the vast network of pipelines.

Types of Oil and Gas Pipelines

Assignment (Oil Pipelines materials)

There are two main categories of pipelines used to transport energy products:
petroleum pipelines and natural gas pipelines.

1. Petroleum pipelines transport crude oil or natural gas liquids, and there are
three main types of petroleum pipelines involved in this process: gathering systems,
crude oil pipeline systems, and refined products pipelines systems. The gathering
pipeline systems gather the crude oil or natural gas liquid from the production wells.
It is then transported with the crude oil pipeline system to a refinery. Once the
petroleum is refined into products such as gasoline or kerosene, it is transported via
the refined products pipeline systems to storage or distribution stations.
2. Natural gas pipelines transport natural gas from stationary facilities such as gas
wells or import/export facilities, and deliver to a variety of locations, such as homes
or directly to other export facilities. This process also involves three different types
of pipelines: gathering systems, transmission systems, and distribution systems.
Similar to the petroleum gathering systems, the natural gas gathering pipeline
system gathers the raw material from production wells. It is then transported with
large lines of transmission pipelines that move natural gas from facilities to ports,
refiners, and cities across the country. Lastly, the distribution systems consist of a
network that distributes the product to homes and businesses. The two types of
distribution systems are the main distribution line, which are larger lines that move
products close to cities, and the service distribution lines, which are smaller lines
that connect main lines into homes and businesses.

Environmental Health and Safety Risks

Although pipeline transportation of natural gas and petroleum is considered safer

and cheaper than ground transportation, pipeline failures, failing infrastructure, human
 error, and natural disasters can result in major pipeline disasters. As such, previous
incidents have been shown to cause detrimental effects to the environment and the
public’s safety.

 Land Use and Forest Fragmentation

 Compressor Stations
 Erosion and Sedimentation
 Eminent Domain
 Spills and Leaks
 Explosions

Reference:

FracTracker Alliance. (2020, March 12). An introduction to oil and Gas Pipelines.
FracTracker Alliance. Retrieved August 26, 2022, from
https://www.fractracker.org/2016/06/introduction-oil-gas-pipelines/

Water Distribution Pipes

Types of pipes
Pipes come in several types and sizes. They can be divided into three main
categories: metallic pipes, cement pipes and plastic pipes. Metallic pipes include steel
pipes, galvanised iron pipes and cast iron pipes. Cement pipes include concrete cement
pipes and asbestos cement pipes. Plastic pipes include plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
pipes (LEE n.y.).

Metallic pipes:

 Steel pipes
Steel pipes are comparatively expensive, but they are the strongest and most durable of
all water supply pipes. They can withstand high water pressure, come in convenient
(longer) lengths than most other pipes and thus incur lower installation/transportation
costs. They can also be easily welded (LEE n.y.).
 
 Galvanised steel or iron pipes
Galvanised steel or iron is the traditional piping material in the plumbing industry for the
conveyance of water and wastewater. Although still used throughout the world, its
popularity is declining. The use of galvanised steel or iron as a conveyer for drinking
water is problematic where water flow is slow or static for periods of time because it
causes rust from internal corrosion. Galvanised steel or iron piping may also give an
unpalatable taste and smell to the water conveyed under corrosive conditions (WHO
2006).
 
  Cast iron pipes
Cast iron pipes are quite stable and well suited for high water pressure. However, cast
iron pipes are heavy, which makes them unsuitable for inaccessible places due to
transportation problems. In addition, due to their weight they generally come in short
lengths increasing costs for layout and jointing.

Concrete cement and asbestos cement pipes:

Concrete cement pipes are expensive but non-corrosive by nature. Their advantage is
that they are extremely strong and durable. However, being bulky and heavy, they are
harder and more costly to handle, install and transport (LEE n.y.).

Plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes:

PVC pipes are non-corrosive, extremely light and thus easy to handle and
transport. Still, they are strong and come in long lengths that lower
installation/transportation costs (LEE n.y.). However, they are prone to physical damage if
exposed overground and become brittle when exposed to ultraviolet light. In addition to the
problems associated with the expansion and contraction of PVC, the material will soften
and deform if exposed to temperatures over 65 °C (WHO 2006).
Reference:
https://sswm.info/sswm-university-course/module-2-centralised-and-decentralised-
systems-water-and-sanitation-1/water-distribution-pipes#:~:text=They%20can%20be
%20divided%20into,pipes%20and%20asbestos%20cement%20pipes.

Leak Detection
As discussed on pages 142–146, leak size is at least partially dependent on
failure mode. Small leak rates tend to occur due to corrosion (pinholes) or some design
(mechanical connections) failure modes. The most damaging leaks occur below
detection levels for long periods of time. Larger leak rates tend to occur
under catastrophic failure conditions such as external force (e.g., third party, ground
movement) and avalanche crack failures.
Reference:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/pipeline-leak-detection

Oil/Gas Pipeline Leak Inspection and Repair in Underwater Poor Visibility

Conditions: Challenges and Perspectives
the reasons for the inspection and repair difficulties and proposes an approach towards
development of systems that could provide effective solution to oil/gas/liquid pipeline
inspection and adequate repair strategy for leaking pipelines in underwater poor
visibility conditions

 Aged Pipelines and Their Vulnerability

 Underwater Poor Visibility

https://www.scirp.org/html/4-6701471_19510.htm