What is Pipeline?
A Pipeline is a pipe which is used to transport liquids or gases. In other words it can be described as hollow cylinder through which fluids or gases are pumped or carried through. Pipelines serve as one of the transportation method of exchanging commodities that are chemically stable between two entities. They are also used for water transportation for drinking and irrigation, sewer transportation, chemical transportation and slurry carriage.
Beningson explains Pipeline
Worldwide survey figures of Pipeline and Gas Journal indicates that 118,623 miles of Pipelines are under commissioning stage in the entire world out of which 88,976 miles of pipeline projects are under planning and design stage and rest of the pipelines are commissioned and operational. Pipelines are considered to be one of the safest, fastest and economical ways of transporting large amount of crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas from one place to another. The materials used to fabricate Pipelines are Carbon Steel and medium density polyethylene (MDPE).
The following are some of the advantages of Pipelines:
- They can transport large volumes of cargo at one go.
- They are safe.
- Secure supply.
- They are cost-efficient as compared to other means of transport.
- They are equipped with automated safety and material handling equipment and devices, thus require little maintenance.
- They are environment friendly and accident free.
Some disadvantages of Pipelines include:
- The carrying capacity of a Pipeline once installed cannot be increased because it depends on the size of the Pipeline.
- If leak is detected, it becomes difficult to repair it in underground Pipelines.
- Making security arrangements for the Pipelines above the ground may be difficult.