1

I know major oil pipelines do exists either underground or under the seabed. However, these usually move crude/unrefined oil from refinery to refinery. Yet we don't have refined petroleum or gas directly piped from refinery to the gas station? I mean we have done it with electricity, water, sewage, stormwater and piped LPG gas (for cooking), why do we still see petrol takers plying the roads to top up gas stations that you go to top up your car?

NOTE: I understand this is easier to achieve in big cities and Urban areas rather than laying pipework for rural areas. But I so not yet have concrete info this is implemented in long term gas stations located in the cities.

Nederealm
  • 125
  • 3

2 Answers2

1

To begin with, gas/petrol filling stations may or may not be located at one site for a long period of time. Dealing with a disused pipeline for a closed station will be a problem. Continually extending the pipeline network will cause disruptions.

One of the main issues, is like water distribution pipelines, pipelines for oil/petroleum products can burst, rust out and leak. Water leaks can be disruptive but are environmentally benign. Leaks from oil/petroleum pipelines can be environmentally catastrophic. No-one wants to have ground or ground water contaminated by oil/petroleum products.

Fred
  • 9,782
  • 13
  • 36
  • 48
0

The statement part of you questions is mostly incorrect. There are a great number of product pipelines ( At least in the US) . There are a few stations that have pipelines to refineries or bulk plants but that is unusual. Some of the problems have been mentioned ; certainly the biggest problem would be getting the plethora of permits for each line. Another tremendous problem is the ignorant public ; For existing pipelines the most common cause of significant leaks is "third party" damage. Where a contractor for a city, state, etc, puts a hole in an 18" pipe because he didn't see it or all the warning signs. Can you imagine if there were a million 1" diameter pipes running all over? Corrosion caused by interference in cathodic protection is already a problem with pipelines in urban areas. However , there are many more local supply lines than you can imagine, for example I expect about every major airport is supplied by pipe ( jet and av gas). Most interstate truck stops have pipelines,etc.

blacksmith37
  • 6,192
  • 1
  • 11
  • 16