If hydrogen fuel gets extensively developed, pipelines will be needed to transport this secondary fuel.
Outside of an energy context, pipelines transport other fluids like water.
Types of Pipelines
Within the energy sector, there are 2 major types of pipelines:
- liquids pipelines;
- natural gas pipelines.
Some liquids pipelines are also used to transport distilled petroleum products such as gasoline to distribution centers.
Natural gas pipelines are used solely for the transport of natural gas to processing plants and are used for distribution.
Natural gas is also often delivered directly to homes through pipelines.
In addition to these 2 main types of pipelines, there are also 4 other sub-categories of pipelines:
- Gathering Lines: These lines are 10-30 cm in diameter, and work to transport natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids short distances. They exist mainly to gather products from wells and move them for processing.
- Feeder Lines: Feeder lines move crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids from storage tanks and processing facilities to transmission pipelines.
- Transmission Pipelines: These can range from 10 cm in diameter to over a meter. They carry natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, and refined products (depending on whether they are liquids or natural gas pipelines). These transport petroleum products long distances, including over international boundaries.
- Distribution Pipelines: These range in diameter from 1-15 cm and are used to distribute natural gas to homes and businesses.
For liquid pipelines that transport crude oil and liquefied petroleum products, small diameter gathering lines collect the product from where it is extracted.
After moving to a gathering facility, it moves to feeder pipelines with relatively large diameters which transports product to refineries.
Transmission lines are used when oil and liquids have to travel long distances.
To push the liquid through the pipe, powerful pumps are used and move oil at around walking speed.
Liquids pipelines are very versatile and can transport a variety of grades or varieties of crude oil and crude oil products.
The process is similar for natural gas pipelines - extracted natural gas is transported for processing in gathering and feeder lines, then moves into large transmission pipelines (generally composed of steel pipe).
Gas is able to flow as it moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure.
Gas is able to flow as it moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure.
This pressure difference is obtained through the use of compressors that increase the pressure of the gas, pushing it along.
Once the gas reaches a distribution plant, companies reduce the pressure of the gas and distribute it through small distribution pipelines.
Once the gas reaches a distribution plant, companies reduce the pressure of the gas and distribute it through small distribution pipelines.
Environmental Concerns
Although they are a necessary part of the use and transportation of assorted petroleum products, there are environmental concerns with the construction and operation of pipelines that vary depending on how and where the pipelines are being built. Some of the concerns include:
- Reduction of air quality as a result of dust production during construction and emissions due to the combustion of fossil fuels used for construction equipment.
- Increased noise pollution as a result of construction and pumping stations.
- Soil erosion and contamination from construction and any leaks.
- Loss of plant life as a result of construction, surface disturbances, and changes in water flows.
- Water resource disturbances in terms of quantity and quality as a result of erosion, herbicides, and leaks
