According to the Department of Transportation, the U.S. has over 2.6 million miles of pipeline that safely delivers trillions of cubic feet of natural gas plus hundreds of billions of tons/miles of liquid petroleum products each year. Clearly, piping systems provide a valuable way of transporting liquid items from point A to point B. That said, piping systems have their own pros and cons, which we will consider below.
The Pros of Pipelines
Pipelines come with a long list of benefits, chief among them the creation of thousands of jobs. Examples of jobs in the pipeline industry include pipe layer jobs, pipe inspector jobs, pipeline supervisors, pipeline welder jobs, and more. Therefore, pipeline systems contribute significantly to the economy by generating large amounts of revenue each year. In addition, when installed properly, pipelines are an environmentally friendly transportation method.
It eliminates the need for roads, tankers, or other equipment, making it possible to access distant energy resources with no enormous sums of capital. Other pros of pipeline systems include a high safety rate because of the advanced technology and the release of fewer emissions. The considerable advantages of piping systems make them widely applicable across a broad range of industries.
The Cons of Pipelines
Pipeline systems also come with a few downsides. Keep in mind this transportation method is used to move fossil fuels, and there’s always the risk of a leak occurring. The material transported is also extremely flammable, and there’s a need to implement robust measures to prevent leaks and potentially harmful emissions. While it’s true that pipeline transmission involves fewer emissions compared to other transportation methods, it’s still not an entirely emissions-free technology. Some materials that are transported, like tar sands oil, can be highly corrosive, leading to a breakdown of the pipe. Because of this, it’s crucial to repair and upgrade the system to prevent leaks from occurring.
What’s the Bottom Line?
When you weigh the pros and cons of pipeline systems, the consensus is that they’re still a vital component of society with plenty of valuable applications. The technology behind pipeline systems has helped to transform the energy sector.
The bottom line is that pipeline systems are beneficial even though they have their own downsides. The good news is that most of the risks of pipeline systems are addressed with proper installation and quality work. Contact us at Lynco Flange & Fitting to for all your project’s needs.