Modes

Pipeline Transport

Also Known As Pipeline Transportation

Citation Formats

General Reference

Transport Atlas. "Pipeline Transport." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://dev-transport.interactiveatlas.org/modes/pipeline-transport.

APA Style

Transport Atlas. (n.d.). Pipeline Transport. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://dev-transport.interactiveatlas.org/modes/pipeline-transport

BibTeX

@misc{transportatlas-pipeline-transport,
  author = {Transport Atlas},
  title = {Pipeline Transport},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://dev-transport.interactiveatlas.org/modes/pipeline-transport},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

The continuous bulk movement of liquids and gases, chiefly petroleum, refined fuels, natural gas and water, through fixed conduits under pressure rather than in discrete vehicle loads. Pipelines carry an enormous volume at very low cost per unit once built, but the fixed conduit means the route cannot be changed without new construction, and pipelines move only fluids and gases, never solid freight or people.

Facts

Core Concern

Continuous, high volume movement of liquids and gases through a fixed conduit. 1

Origin Year

1865 1

1865 marks Samuel Van Syckel's Pennsylvania oil pipeline, the first successful long-distance dedicated liquid pipeline. Piped conveyance of other fluids is far older: a Han dynasty stoneware pipe network supplied the imperial palaces at Luoyang around 189 AD.

Cross-Tradition Connections