How is oil transported?

In 1863 in Pennsylvania, small-diameter wooden pipelines were built for transporting oil, as they were cheaper and less cumbersome¹ to use than 159-liter barrels moved on horse carts. Today's pipeline systems have evolved and multiplied. According to the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, the United States alone has a network of 300,000 kilometres of petroleum pipeline!

Such pipeline systems, mainly made of metal, transport not only crude oil to refineries but also final oil products to distributors. Modern pipeline technology allows for automated systems that monitor flow and pressure. So-called intelligent pigs (devices used to inspect hundreds of kilometres of pipeline). Magnetic Flux Leakage² inspection, and ultrasonic in-line inspection have also been developed. Yet, all that the ordinary user of the final products will probably see is a sign indicating that a petroleum pipeline lies underground and warning that no digging should be done at the site.

As useful as it is, though, a pipeline system is not practical for the transportation of large quantities of oil overseas. But early oil entrepreneurs³ found a solution for that too – immense⁴ oil tankers. These are specially designed ships as much as 400 meters

long. Tankers are the largest ships to sail the oceans and are able to carry up to a million or more barrels of oil.

Unfortunately, as mighty⁵ as they look, tankers have a vulnerability⁶ that has not been surmounted, as the box "About Oil Spills" shows. Barges⁷ and railcars⁸ are also common means of bulk oil transportation.⁹

Nevertheless, in oil's journey, transportation is only half the story.

A small flame coming from-a tall pipe stack,¹⁰ or flare¹¹– which acts as a safety valve – is a good indication that you are looking at an oil refinery. Basically, in these huge refining facilities, crude oil is heated and sent to an atmospheric distillation tower, where it is separated into several fractions. These fractions range from the lightest – gases, such as butane – to the heaviest, which are processed into lubricants,¹² among other products. But this still, leaves the question: Is oil a mixed blessing?

¹ cumbersome] – громозд­кий

² Magnetic Flux Leakage - рассея­ние магнитного потока

³ entrepreneur - предприниматель

⁴ immense - огромный

⁵ mighty – могучий

⁶ vulnerability - уяз­вимость

⁷ barge - баржа

⁸ railcar - (железнодорожный) вагон, цистерна

⁹ bulk oil transportation – перевозка нефти в резервуаре

¹⁰ pipe stack - выводная труба

¹¹ flare - факельная установка

¹² lubricant – смазочный материал

“Without energy the wheels of industry do not turn … No cars, trucks, trains, ship or airplanes could be built… Without energy, houses would remain cold and unlighted, food be uncooked… Without energy resources we would literally be back in the Stone Age.” – From the “U.S. Geological Survey World Petroleum Assessment 2000.”