Pipes help move things far away.
They carry water and oil. They can carry gas, too. This helps people get what they need. It is a safe way to move things.
Can you see a pipe near you?
Pipes help move things far away.
They can carry water or oil. They can also carry gas.
Some pipes are made of steel. Others are made of plastic. Many pipes stay under the ground.
Moving things in pipes is safe. It is also a cheap way to move things.
Special tools called pigs go inside the pipes. These tools clean the inside. They also check for any damage.
Pipelines are a great way to move things.
Pipelines are systems of pipes. They move liquids or gases over long distances.
People use them to send water to farms or homes. They also move fuels like oil and natural gas.
Pipelines are a very cheap way to move large amounts of material. For example, moving oil by pipeline costs about $5 per barrel. Moving it by rail can cost $10 to $15 per barrel.
Most oil pipelines are made of steel or plastic. These pipes are usually buried underground. To keep them safe, workers use concrete or sand. This helps stop rust or damage.
Some pipes move things called slurries. A slurry is a mix of solid bits and water.
Workers use special tools to look inside the pipes. These tools are called pigs.
Some are smart pigs. These tools can find dents or cracks. They help keep the pipes working well. They can also clean out wax that builds up inside.
A pipeline is a system of pipes used to move liquids or gases over very long distances.
These systems often carry materials to markets where people can use them. Pipelines can move many different things, like water for drinking or fuels like oil and natural gas. They can even move sewage, steam, or a thick mix of solids and water called a slurry.
Using pipelines is one of the safest ways to move materials compared to using roads or trains. However, they can be targets during wars because they are so important. Even so, they remain a key part of how the world stays connected.
How do these massive systems actually work?
For oil, the pipes are often made of steel or plastic and are buried underground.
To move the oil through these tubes, workers use special pump stations along the way. Natural gas pipelines are usually made of carbon steel. To move gas more easily, it can be pressed into liquids known as natural gas liquids, or NGLs.
Workers also use tools called "pigs" to keep the inside of the pipes clean. These devices, sometimes called "smart pigs," travel through the line to find dents or cracks. They help prevent problems like leaks or rust from corrosion.
People have been building pipelines for a very long time.
The first crude oil pipeline was built in the 1860s by the Oil Transport Association. It was made of wrought iron and ran from an oil field in Pennsylvania to a railroad station. Later, during World War II in 1944, some of the first major submarine pipelines were built. These were laid across the English Channel during an event called Operation Pluto. These underwater pipes helped provide about 8 percent of the petroleum products used by the Allies. This shows how pipelines have always helped move important supplies.
There are many impressive numbers associated with these systems.
By the year 2025, the total length of global transmission pipelines is expected to be around 2.19 million km. North America holds about 44 percent of this network. Within that, the United States has 65 percent, Russia has 8 percent, and Canada has 3 percent. Pipelines are also much cheaper than other ways to move goods. In 2014, moving crude oil by pipeline cost about $5 per barrel. Moving that same oil by rail cost between $10 and $15 per barrel. This makes pipelines a very economical choice for large amounts of fuel.
Pipelines connect different parts of our world in many ways.
In the United States, 70 percent of crude oil is moved by pipeline. In Canada, 97 percent of natural gas and petroleum products use pipelines. Some pipelines even move hydrogen or ammonia across huge distances. For example, the Transammiak line once connected Russia to Ukraine and was 2,500 km long.
You might see pipelines near your home or even under the sea. They help make sure that the energy and water we need reach us every day. They are a quiet but powerful part of modern life.
A pipeline is a complex system of pipes used for the long-distance transportation of liquids or gases.
These networks typically move materials to market areas where they can be consumed by people or industries. Pipelines are vital for modern life because they can move almost any chemically stable substance. This includes crude and refined petroleum, biofuels, and natural gas. They also transport water for drinking or irrigation, sewage, and even steam. Some specialized systems, known as pneumatic systems, use suction pressure to move solid objects.
Because they are often more efficient than roads or rail, they are essential infrastructure for global energy.
The mechanism of a pipeline depends on the material being moved.
For oil, pipelines are often made of steel or plastic tubes and are usually buried underground. To keep the oil moving, pump stations are placed at intervals along the line. Natural gas pipelines are typically constructed of carbon steel. To make transport easier, natural gas is often pressurized into liquids called natural gas liquids, or NGLs. For example, propane converts from a gas to a liquid under light pressure of about 100 psi.
Once in liquid form, these substances can be moved more efficiently through the system.
Maintaining these systems requires specialized tools and protective methods.
Because corrosion and leakage are the main causes of pollution, pipes must be protected. Engineers use wood lagging, concrete coating, or high-density polyethylene to prevent damage. They may also use sacrificial cathodes to fight rust. To clean the interior, workers use devices called "pigs," also known as scrapers or "Go-devils." These devices are launched from a station and travel through the pipe to remove wax or debris. Some are "smart pigs," which are intelligent devices used to detect anomalies like dents, cracks, or metal loss caused by corrosion.
History shows how these systems have evolved to meet global needs.
The first crude oil pipeline was built in the 1860s by the Oil Transport Association. This wrought iron line ran from an oil field in Pennsylvania to a railroad station in Oil Creek. During World War II, submarine pipelines were developed for military use. In 1944, during Operation Pluto, pipelines were built across the English Channel. These underwater lines provided an estimated 8 percent of all petroleum products used by the Allies on the Western Front. This history demonstrates how pipelines have moved from simple iron tubes to massive undersea networks.
The scale of the global pipeline network is enormous.
By 2025, the global trunk or transmission pipeline network is expected to be approximately 2.19 million km long. North America accounts for about 44 percent of this total. Within this network, the United States holds 65 percent, Russia holds 8 percent, and Canada holds 3 percent. These three countries combined contain 76 percent of all pipelines. Pipelines are also much more economical than other transport methods. In 2014, transporting crude oil by pipeline cost about $5 per barrel. In contrast, rail transport cost between $10 and $15 per barrel, making pipelines the preferred choice for high volumes.
Different types of substances require unique pipeline setups.
While oil and gas are common, pipelines can also move coal or ore through a process called slurry transport. In a slurry pipeline, the solid material is mixed with water before being sent through the pipe. One example is the Savage River Slurry pipeline in Tasmania, Australia, built in 1967. Other pipelines carry ammonia, such as the 2,500 km Transammiak line that once connected Russia to Ukraine. Even hydrogen is transported through specialized pipes. However, some substances like ethanol are harder to move. Ethanol is corrosive and absorbs water, so it requires dedicated pipelines to avoid contaminating existing ones.
Pipelines are deeply connected to global economics and geopolitics.
In the United States, 70 percent of crude oil and petroleum products are shipped by pipeline. In Canada, 97 percent of natural gas and petroleum products use pipelines. Because they are so efficient, they are often targets during military conflicts. Changes in energy sources can also shift how pipelines are used. For instance, new US-supplied natural gas can displace gas formerly shipped from western Canada to Ontario. As more North American pipelines are built, exports of products like propane and butane increase across all three US coasts. This connectivity helps stabilize markets and provides energy to distant regions.
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