| A pipeline is a line or series of pipes as well as the | | | | People make use of residential natural gas in part |
| accompanying valves, pumps and other apparatus | | | | for cooking on gas powered stoves, heating their |
| required to transport liquids and gases through it. | | | | homes and the luxury of hot running water. |
| Pipeline transport is, quite simply, the transporting | | | | Pipelines are also used in the transportation of |
| of goods via pipe. Goods traveling through | | | | water, for instance from city water mains to |
| pipelines are typically in a liquid or gaseous state, | | | | residents and businesses for running tap water |
| though in certain instances solids can be | | | | and irrigation. Eliminating the need for pumps, |
| transported through pipelines. While pipelines are | | | | water pipelines sometimes utilize gravity as the |
| responsible for the transportation of a variety of | | | | force propelling water through them in cases |
| substances, such as water, sewage, and even | | | | where a downward gradient meets qualifications. |
| beer, the most economically substantial pipelines | | | | For instance, water can be transported by the |
| are those dedicated to transporting natural gas | | | | force of gravity from an elevated tank to its |
| and oil. Pipelines have proven to be the most cost | | | | destination, such as a residence. |
| effective means of transporting mass amounts of | | | | Pipelines must be designed to specifications that |
| oil and natural gas across land, incurring a lower | | | | prevent leakage and can withstand the levels of |
| cost and having a larger capacity than traditional | | | | pressure necessary to force products through |
| railroad transportation. | | | | the pipes to their destinations. Additional |
| Oil pipelines are typically constructed of plastic or | | | | considerations in pipeline production are the |
| steel, and are built both above ground level and | | | | characteristics of the pipeline material, such as a |
| below the surface of the ground at a depth of | | | | tendency to expand, contract, or corrode, as well |
| about three feet. Strategically placed pumps along | | | | as the properties of the substance that will be |
| the pipeline keep the oil traveling through the line. | | | | carried by the pipeline. The flammable nature of |
| Some pipelines are capable of transporting multiple | | | | substances often contained within pipelines makes |
| products at the same time. Natural gas is | | | | them vulnerable to causing significant damage in |
| transported from large pipelines through smaller | | | | the event of an accident. For this reason, pipelines |
| feeder pipes to be used by homes and | | | | raise concern for catastrophes caused by |
| businesses. Natural gas pipelines utilize incremental | | | | vandalism, malicious attacks and defects. |
| compressors to pressurize the gas for travel. | | | | |