Answers to Common Questions

What kinds of petroleum are transported through oil pipelines?

Oil pipelines transport liquid petroleum and some liquefied gases.

Crude oil pipelines provide transport for a wide variety of crude oils that vary widely in density, viscosity, sulfur content, and in other properties.

Product pipelines transport more than 50 refined petroleum products such as: various grades of motor gasoline, home heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation gasoline, jet fuels, and kerosene. For instance, Colonial Pipeline, the major product pipeline that stretches from Texas to New Jersey, transports almost 40 different formulations of gasoline alone - different grades of each mandated type of gasoline, the requirements for which vary seasonally and regionally. Liquefied ethylene, propane, butane, and some petrochemical feedstocks are also transported through oil pipelines.

Who owns the crude oil and products transported through oil pipelines?

Nearly all petroleum liquids transported are owned by shippers who arrange with pipeline companies for transportation. Generally, oil pipeline companies are separate from the producing oil companies, and the pipeline companies provide only transportation services.

How are routes for new pipelines determined?

Potential routes are initially suggested by demand patterns, including:

• The predicted required flow of crude oil from a producing field to a refinery complex.
• The expected flow of refined products from a refinery complex to population centers or markets.

Pipeline route alternatives are then determined on the basis of studies of the cost of construction, projected growth in population centers, demand for transportation service over a period of time, and rates that are competitive and provide a reasonable return on investment.

Once alternatives have been analyzed, an environmental study helps to select the most feasible option in terms of protecting the safety of the environment and the safety of those who live in the vicinity of the proposed pipeline right-of-way. These environmental studies generally follow procedures set out by federal and state law, sometimes resulting in Environmental Impact Statements or Environmental Assessments that are published in draft form for public comment.  There is no Federal law dealing with siting for liquid pipelines. Pipelines are sited under state law. 

Permisssions must be obtained to use an easement corridor, the pipeline right-of-way. Owners of private and public property negotiate with the pipeline companies and sign leases for the use of their land.

What pushes petroleum through a pipeline?

In nearly every instance, centrifugal pumps driven by electric motors or, in some cases, by diesel engines or gas turbines are used to move oil through the lines. Pumps are located at originating and at booster stations and are remotely controlled at computerized central control centers staffed by highly trained operators.

How far apart are pumping stations?

Between 20 and 100 miles separate pumping stations, depending on the pressure at which the pipeline is operated and upon the terrain over or through which it runs.

Can pipeline flow direction be reversed?

Yes, but in most cases this requires elaborate and costly reworking.

How safe are oil pipelines?

Pipelines are extremely safe. Oil pipeline spills amount to about 1 gallon per million barrel-miles. (One barrel, transported one mile, equals one barrel-mile. There are 42 gallons in a barrel.) In household terms, this is less than one teaspoon per thousand barrel-miles.

Pipelines also generally have a better safety record (deaths, injuries, fires/explosions) than other modes of oil transportation. For example, compared to the pipeline record, there are 87 times more oil transport truck-related deaths, 35 times more oil transport truck related fires/explosions and twice as many oil transport truck-related injuries. Tell me more about pipeline safety.

How can you tell where a pipeline is located?

Pipelines are well marked to help prevent damage from digging, the most common cause of pipeline accidents. Yellow, black, and red warning signs or identification markers are located at frequent intervals along the pipeline right-of-way. Warning signs are also located at roads, railroads and water crossings, and at other prominent points along the route. Pumping stations, tank farms, and cleared rights-of-way also help signal where a pipeline is located.

Anyone planning to dig should call 811, the national "call-before-you-dig" number which puts operators, homeowners, and professional excavators in contact with underground utilities. When calling 811 from anywhere in the country, a call is routed to the local One Call Center.  Local Once Call Center operators discern the location of the digging job and route the call to affected infrastructure companies.  Utility companies send a professional locator to the location to mark lines within a few days.  Once the underground lines have been marked, excavators are clear to begin digging.  Tell me more about preventing accidents. These calls are extremely important as they can help avoid pipeline ruptures resulting from digging which is the largest single cause of pipeline spills.

How does a pipeline operator determine if a leak or rupture has occurred?

Many systems are used; and, generally, a single pipeline will employ several. For example, sensitive instruments are monitored to detect conditions such as a drop in pressure or a change in the flow rate that might indicate a rupture. Also, lines are frequently inspected on foot, by car or from aircraft. Leaks rarely occur but many of them are due to third-party damage caused by someone digging near the pipeline. Most of these accidents can be prevented by using the One Call system to determine the location of nearby pipelines. Tell me more about the One Call service.

At what speed does oil move through a pipeline?

From three to eight miles per hour depending upon line size, pressure, and other factors such as the density and viscosity of the liquid being transported. At these rates, it takes from 14 to 22 days to move liquids from Houston, Texas to New York City.

Are pipeline rates negotiated with shippers?

Pipeline rates are contained in tariffs published by the pipeline and kept on file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). All shippers pay the same published rates for the same services. FERC regulations allow for rate negotiation if the negotiated rate is available and acceptable to all shippers.

Do shippers on oil pipelines know the volumes, destinations, or routing of liquids being transported for competing shippers?

No. Disclosure of this information is prohibited by law.