Pipeline Transport

1. Pipelines Transportation
A pipeline is a system of pipes for long-distance transportation of a liquid or
gas, takes place continuously, typically to a market area for consumption.
Pipelines are one of the safest ways of transporting materials as compared to
road or rail.
Pipelines are made from steel or plastic with inner diameter typically from 4 to
48 inches (100 to 1,220 mm). Most pipelines are typically buried at a depth of
about 3 to 6 feet (0.91 to 1.83 m).
The main components of a pipeline transportation system include:

- Pipe: pipe are important components in switching pipe systems. They are
used to contain and move liquids, gases or mixtures from one point to another.
There are different types of pipes used depending on the application
requirements, including metal pipes, plastic pipes and composite pipes.

- Valve: Valve has the role of controlling the air or gas flow in the pipeline
system. They are used to open or close the flow of substances, regulate the
flow, or stop the flow. There are different types of valves such as gate valves,
ball valves, butterfly valves and globe valves, each with its own applications
and characteristics.

- Pumps: Pumps are used to create pressure and push liquid or gas in a pipeline
system. We help transport substances from one pipe to another, creating a
continuous flow and ensuring transitional results. There are many types of
exfoliants such as centrifugal spray, piston spray and air spray, each with
different applications and characteristics.

- Control device: Control device is used to control and manage the operation
of system pipes. These include switches, control valves, application meters and
sensors. Control devices help regulate flow, performance and temperature in
the system, ensuring stable and safe operation.

- Safety system: The safety system is an important part of ensuring the overall
operation of the pipeline system. It includes protective devices such as safety
valves, pressure relief valves and monitoring systems. These devices ensure
that power, temperature and other factors in the system are controlled and
maintained within safe limits.

Pipelines can be classified in three categories depending on purpose:

- Gathering pipelines : Group of smaller interconnected pipelines(usually

short- a couple hundred metres- and with small diameters) forming complex
networks with the purpose of bringing crude oil or natural gas from several
nearby wells to a treatment plant or processing facility.
- Transportation pipelines: Mainly long pipes with large diameters, moving
products (oil, gas, refined products) between cities, countries and even
continents.
- Distribution pipelines: Composed of several interconnected pipelines with
small diameters, used to take the products to the final consumer. Feeder lines to
distribute gas to homes and businesses downstream.

2. Cargo type
Pipelines exist for the transport of crude and refined petroleum, fuels – such as
oil, natural gas and biofuels – and other fluids including sewage, slurry, water,
beer, hot water or steam for shorter distances. Pipelines are useful for
transporting water for drinking or irrigation over long distances when it needs
to move over hills, or where canals or channels.

3. The route:
Domestic:

- Pipeline system PM3 gas - Ca Mau: PM3 Ca Mau is one of the pipeline
systems largest gas conductor in the country by length 300km from the PM3
gas field in the region the gap between Vietnam and Malaysia reaches the
30km coastal point of the road onshore gas. The system is put into operation
operating since 2007 with set capacity 2 billion m3/year.

- Pipe system Bach Ho gas pipeline: Total system 242km long, with 197km at
sea and 45km onshore), design capacity 2.2 billion m3/year, put into operation
since 1995.

- Piping system Nam Con Son 2 gas pipeline (phase 1): the thin shelf has the
length of the upper line 151km beach, design capacity of 7 billion m3/year, put
into operation since 2015.

In the world:

The Druzhba oil pipeline system is about 4,000 km long from the eastern part
of Russia to countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia,
Czech Republic and Germany. This network is also divided into many
pipelines to distribute its products throughout Eastern Europe.

The two pipeline systems Peace (IPI) and Trans-Afghanistan (TAPI) carry
natural gas in the West Asia - Central Asia - South Asia region. Two pipelines
with a total length of nearly 4600 km.

4. Pros and cons:

Pros:
- Continuous operation, little loss
- Large transport volume.
- Do not obstruct other modes of traffic.
- Low operating and maintenance costs.
- Low energy consumption.
- During the construction process, it is possible to combine the construction of
other transportation routes such as roads and railways at the same time.
- Safe and environmentally friendly.
Cons:
- Applicable to some types of specialized goods.
- Fixed system, not flexible.
- Large initial investment capital.
- There is a risk of leakage and difficulty in finding repairs.
- Difficult to control security issues.

5. Environmental impacts:
Pipeline transportation can have both positive and negative environmental
impacts. On the positive side, pipelines produce fewer emissions compared to
other modes of transportation such as trucks and trains. Additionally, pipelines
can help to reduce the amount of material being transported by these other
modes of transportation, which can help to reduce their environmental impact.
However, pipeline transportation can also have negative environmental
impacts. Pipelines can disrupt ecosystems and habitats, and they can also pose
a risk to water sources if there is a spill or leak.

Negative Environmental Impacts:

- Habitat destruction: The construction of pipelines can disrupt ecosystems

and habitats, particularly if they are built through sensitive areas such as
wetlands or forests. This can lead to the loss of biodiversity and the
displacement of wildlife.

- Water pollution: Pipeline spills or leaks can contaminate water sources,

which can have serious consequences for both human health and the
environment. For example, oil spills can harm aquatic life and damage
ecosystems.

- Greenhouse gas emissions: While pipelines themselves produce fewer

emissions than other modes of transportation, the extraction and production of
the materials being transported can be a significant source of greenhouse gas
emissions. For example, the extraction of oil sands in Canada produces more
emissions than conventional oil production.

Positive Environmental Impacts:


- Reduced emissions: As mentioned earlier, pipelines produce fewer emissions
than other modes of transportation such as trucks and trains. This can help to
reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

- Reduced traffic: By transporting materials through pipelines, there is less

need for trucks and trains to transport the same materials. This can help to
reduce traffic congestion and associated emissions.

- Reduced spills: While pipeline spills can have serious consequences, they are
less common than spills from other modes of transportation such as trucks and
trains. This means that overall, pipeline transportation can help to reduce the
risk of spills and associated environmental damage.

6. Current trend in service providing

The service sector of the pipeline industry is seeing some interesting trends
focused on improving efficiency, safety, and environmental impact:

- Digitalization and automation: Companies are increasingly using sensor

technology, data analytics, and automation tools to monitor pipelines remotely.
This allows for early detection of leaks, pressure changes, or other potential
problems. Automation can also streamline maintenance tasks and improve
safety for workers.

- Advanced inspection techniques: New technologies like ultrasonic pigs and

internal pipeline crawlers are being used to perform more detailed inspections
of pipelines. This helps to identify weaknesses or damage before they cause
problems.

- Focus on sustainability: There's a growing trend of pipeline service

companies offering services that help to reduce the environmental impact of
pipelines. This can include things like leak detection and repair, as well as
pipeline integrity assessments that help to identify and mitigate risks.

- Integration of drone technology: Drone inspections are becoming more

common for pipelines, especially in hard-to-reach areas. Drones can quickly
capture aerial imagery and video, allowing for efficient evaluation of pipeline
rights-of-way and potential issues.

7. Green logistics:
Green logistics and pipeline development are intertwined. Green Logistics in
Pipeline Transportation

- Optimizing Routes: Green logistics principles encourage efficient planning

of pipeline routes to minimize distance and avoid environmentally sensitive
areas. This reduces fuel consumption for construction and maintenance
vehicles.
- Material Selection: Using recycled materials for pipeline components where
possible aligns with green logistics practices.
- Construction Techniques: Minimizing land disturbance during pipeline
construction and using techniques like horizontal directional drilling can lessen
environmental impact.
Opportunities for the pipeline transportation industry
- Rising energy demand: As global energy consumption continues to increase,
there will be a growing need for efficient and cost-effective transportation of
resources like oil and natural gas. Pipelines excel in both cost and capacity,
making them a prime candidate for this growing demand.
- Expanding trade: Increased trade of oil and gas between countries,
especially between developing economies like China and India, will
necessitate new pipeline infrastructure to facilitate these transactions
- Shifting fuel sources: Natural gas is increasingly seen as a cleaner alternative
to traditional fuels. This transition could lead to more pipelines dedicated to
natural gas transportation.
- Transportation of new materials: Beyond oil and gas, pipelines could
transport new materials like hydrogen or captured carbon dioxide as these
technologies develop.
Pipeline industry threat
- Cybersecurity threats: Pipeline operations are increasingly reliant on
computer control systems, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. These
attacks could disrupt operations, cause pipeline damage, or even lead to
environmental disasters.
- Corrosion: Internal and external corrosion of pipelines can weaken them and
lead to leaks or ruptures, posing safety and environmental hazards
- Shifting energy landscape: The transition towards renewable energy sources
could reduce demand for pipelines traditionally used for oil and gas
transportation