How Many Pipelines are There?

There are two general types of energy pipelines – oil pipelines and natural gas pipelines. Within each group are subsets that serve very specific portions of the energy marketplace.

Within the oil pipeline network there are both crude oil lines and refined product lines.

Crude oil is also subdivided in to 'Gathering Lines' and 'Trunk Lines.'

First, gathering lines are very small pipelines usually from 2 to 8 inches in diameter in the areas of the country in which crude oil is found deep within the earth. It is estimated that there are between 30,000 to 40,000 miles of these small gathering lines located primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Wyoming with small systems in a number of other oil producing states. These small lines gather the oil from many wells, both onshore and offshore, and connect to larger trunk lines measuring from 8 to 24 inches in diameter.

Trunk lines include a few very large lines, such as the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, which is 48 inches in diameter. The larger cross-country crude oil transmission pipelines bring crude oil from producing areas to refineries. There are approximately 55,000 miles of crude oil trunk lines in the U.S.

For more information on crude oil pipelines visit Overview - Crude Oil Pipelines.

The next group of oil pipelines are those carrying refined petroleum products – gasoline, jet fuel, home heating oil and diesel fuel.

These refined product pipelines vary in size from relatively small 8 to 12 inch diameter lines up to 42 inches in diameter. Refined products pipelines are found in almost every state in the U.S, with the exception of some New England states. The total mileage nationwide of refined products pipelines is approximately 95,000 miles. These pipelines deliver petroleum products to large fuel terminals with storage tanks to be loaded into tanker trucks. Trucks cover the last few miles to make local deliveries to gas stations and homes. Major industries, airports and electrical power generation plants are supplied directly by pipeline.

For more information on refined product pipelines visit Overview - Refined Products Pipelines.

The natural gas pipeline system is organized somewhat differently. Natural gas, unlike oil, is delivered directly to homes and businesses through pipelines. (You don' t have to go to the gas station for fuel to heat your home or cook with your gas stove.)

For more information on natural gas pipelines visit Overview - Natural Gas Pipelines.