Sunday, February 5, 2012

The Refinery Pipeline Supplier: Your Strongest Link



Bringing petroleum products to the consumer involves several steps:

Finding resources
Drilling
Moving products to refineries
Converting crude products to finished products
Distributing and selling the refined products

Pipes are required in each of these steps. Offshore pipeline is used in exploration and on drilling rigs, and refinery pipeline is used to move products to and from refineries. Industries that refine petroleum require pipes, and the final distribution of the product often takes place via pipeline.

Importance of Pipeline Transport

Pipeline transport has a role in many industries besides petroleum. While liquids and gases are the most commonly pipe-transported products, pneumatic pipes can be used to transport solid products with compressed air. Any chemically stable liquid or gas may be transported by pipe, including biofuels, slurry, water and sewage. Most pipelines are laid underground, but some pipelines, like the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, are run above ground to avoid petroleum products melting the permafrost.

Pipes Used in the Petroleum Industry

Oil pipelines are usually made from steel, and their inner diameters range anywhere from 4 to 48 inches. Refinery pipeline is normally buried 3 to 6 feet underground. Pumping stations along the pipeline keep oil flowing properly. In the United States alone there are 150 oil refineries, converting crude oil to finished products. The tasks performed by refineries vary, and include everything from simple distillation to complicated sulfur removal.

Industry Standards

The American Petroleum Institute (API) is one of the bodies that sets standards for pipes used in the petroleum industry. The API is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for developing standards, specifications, and recommended practices for offshore pipeline, refinery pipeline, and other types of pipelines involved in petroleum transport.

Importance of Using the Best Pipeline Supplier

Petroleum distribution is only as strong as the weakest link in the chain from well to consumer. That's why choosing a refinery pipeline supplier with experience and knowledge along with the inventory and distribution capability needed to respond promptly to needs is critically important. Pipeline problems in the petroleum industry can be catastrophic, which is why only the most knowledgeable suppliers should be used.

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