Transport Pipes, Oil and Gas Pipelines
WE MANUFACTURE Pipes for transmission or transport pipelines, oil pipelines, conduits , usually underground, that transport and distribute fluids. When talking about pipelines in an energy context, the fluids are usually petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas. If hydrogen fuel is to be widely developed, pipelines will be needed to transport this secondary fuel. Outside of an energy context, pipelines transport other fluids, such as water. Oil and gas pipelines (road pipelines) form extensive distribution networks providing lines for the transport of natural gas, liquefied natural gas products, crude oil and other refined petroleum products. These lines vary in diameter depending on their use and are usually located underground.
Collection lines - These lines are 10 to 30 centimeters in diameter and work to transport short distances of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. They exist primarily to collect products from the wells and move them for processing.
Feed lines - Feed lines move crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids from storage tanks and processing facilities to transmission pipelines .
Transmission pipes (our main product) - Can range from 10 centimeters in diameter to more than one meter. They transport natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and refined products (depending on whether they are liquids or pipelines). They transport petroleum products over long distances, including across international borders.
Distribution Pipes - These range in diameter from 1 to 15 centimeters and are used to distribute natural gas to homes and businesses.
We work with tubes above 350 mm in diameter.
OPERATION - PIPES AND PIPELINES
For liquid pipelines that transport crude oil and liquefied petroleum products, small diameter collection lines collect the product from where it is extracted. After moving to a collection facility, it moves to relatively large diameter pipelines that transport the product to refineries. Transmission lines are used when oil and liquids need to travel long distances. To push the liquid through the tube , powerful pumps are used that move the oil at walking speed. Liquid pipelines are very versatile and can transport a variety of grades or varieties of oil and oil products.
The process is similar for natural gas pipelines - the extracted natural gas is transported for processing in the collection and feed lines and then passes into large transmission pipelines (usually made up of steel pipes ). Gas is able to flow as it moves from areas of high pressure to low pressure. This pressure difference is achieved through the use of compressors that increase the pressure of the gas, pushing it. When the gas arrives at a distribution plant, companies reduce the pressure of the gas and distribute it through small distribution pipelines.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
While they are a necessary part of the use and transport of many petroleum products, there are environmental concerns with the construction and operation of pipelines that vary depending on how and where the pipelines are being constructed. Some of the concerns include:
- Decreased air quality as a result of dust production during construction and emissions due to the combustion of fossil fuels used in construction equipment.
- Increased noise pollution as a result of construction and pumping stations.
- Erosion and soil contamination due to construction and leaks.
- Loss of plant life as a result of construction, surface disturbances and changes in water flows.
- Disturbances of water resources in terms of quantity and quality as a result of erosion, herbicides and leakage.
Pipelines and transport pipes have been built extensively for many years and therefore there are numerous measures taken to minimize environmental effects. Environmental impacts cannot be completely avoided, only reduced. While these issues are troubling, most people are concerned about a pipeline rupture and a spill. A spill of petroleum products can cause significant environmental damage and pose a risk to human health - as they can burn, contain toxic chemicals and pollute groundwater. However, pipeline ruptures are not extremely common, but they do occur. Older pipeline pipes are much more vulnerable to breakage as a result of corrosion. Even small spills can affect the environment, but impacts vary dramatically depending on where the spill occurs. Large-scale ruptures release between 1000 and 10,000 cubic meters of liquid and do not occur as often.
