Pipeline

To date, pipeline transportation offers a very limited range of services and capabilities. The most economically feasible products to move by pipeline are crude oil and refine petroleum products. However, there are some experimentation with moving solid products suspended in liquid referred to as slurry or containing the solid products in cylinders that in turn move in a liquid within the pipe. If these innovations prove to be economical, pipeline service could be greatly expanded. Early experience with coal suspended in liquid has not been favourable because pipes have eroded.

Product movement by pipeline is very slow, only about three to four miles per hour. This slowness is tempered by the fact that products move 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This makes the effective speed much greater when compared with other modes. Pipelines capacity is high, considering that a 3 mph flow in a 12 inch diameter pipe can move 89,000 gallons per hour.

Concerning transit time, pipeline service is the most dependable of all modes, because there are few interruptions to cause transit time variability. Whether is not a significant factor and pumping equipment is highly reliable. In addition the availability of pipeline capacity is limited only by the use that other shippers may be making of the facilities at the time capacity is desired.

Product loss and damage for pipelines is low because [1] liquids and gases are not subject to damage to the same degree as manufactured products and, [2] the number of dangers that can befall pipeline operation is rather limited. There is liability for such loss and damage when it does not occur because pipelines have the status of common carriers, even though many are private carriers in form.