Monday, October 24, 2016

Merits Of Pipelines In Crude Oil Transportation

By Ryan Allen


Oil is a valuable product. From its mining to refinery, manpower is required. Therefore, it leads to creation of job opportunities. In addition, the government gets substantial revenue. Nonetheless, it can cause havoc to the environment if handled incorrectly. Also, such a case can lead to deaths or even diseases. Crude oil transportation should be handled in a professional manner.

Pipelines have been proven to have a lower risk when it comes to movement of oil. There are some people who use rail and roads. To note is that these means have a higher risk compared to pipelines. In addition, the people who choose such means have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for such.

The producers pay less than ten dollars for every barrel of oil transported through this means. Thus, they are able to enjoy higher profits. However, there are other factors which have come to play due to increased production and demands. The volume, flow direction and location are factors which cannot be ignored in this case.

It is very rare to hear of pipeline bursts. However, oil tankers and containers are reported to have exploded almost on a daily basis. It leaves many people unnerved when they see lorries or trains carrying oil tankers. Peace of mind is far important than the revenues the product brings. Therefore, it will be better for everyone when the oil is moved in safer means.

Adverse conditions of the weather cannot be predicted at times. They are known to affect road, rail, air and even water transport. The only means of transportation that is safe from such is pipelines. Whether there are fallen trees, raging storms or strong winds, the product will still move well. Delays are not critical when it comes to oil distribution because it is used in operation of a wide range of machines.

Remote areas do not have access to roads and rails in many cases. However, it does not mean that the people living there do not need oil. The good thing is that pipelines can be laid down in any terrain. Besides this, pipelines are less costly to enact compared to construction of railway or even roads.

There is no need for land owners to give up their land when a pipeline has to be laid down. It is not the case when railways and also roads are being constructed. Additionally, the use of the land does not have to change just because there is a pipeline passing through it. Tilling of the land can still go on normally. However, the people have to be cautioned on tilling the areas on top of the pipes. Punctures can lead to spills which can result to health and even environmental havoc.

Even though there are fewer complications in moving crude oil via pipelines, it does not mean that disasters cannot happen. The personnel recruited to handle such matters needs to have proper technical know-how. The merit of oil depends on how fast it can be refined and re-distributed. Therefore, it will be better when the time taken is shorter.




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