Ashlee Crabtree

Math 1210 Pipeline Project

Fall 2017

To: CEO

I have done extensive research to determine the optimal pipe length and route in order to
minimize cost of this project.

18 miles BLM Ground

BLM Ground
43 miles

Private Ground

72 miles - BLM Ground

A) I) For the first scenario, if we were to run the pipeline strictly on BLM ground going
west, south, and the east to the refinery, the total cost would be $31,521,000.

Your company can build the pipeline around the private ground by going 18
miles directly west and then 43 miles south and finally 72 miles east to the refinery
(see figure above). Cost for materials, labor and fees to run the pipeline across BLM
ground is $237,000 per mile.

I determined this by adding the miles going west, south, and then east.
18+43+72=133 miles
I then multiplied this number by the cost of running the pipe along BLM ground ($237,000).

133*$237,000= $31,521,000

II) For the second scenario, if we were to run the pipeline east through the mountain
and then south to the refinery, the total cost would be $26,556,000.

Cost of drilling through the existing mountain would be a one-time cost of

$2,896,000 on top of the normal costs ($237,000 per mile) of the pipeline itself.
Also the BLM will require an environmental impact study before allowing you to drill
through the mountain. Cost for the study is estimated to be $575,000 and will delay
the project by 8 months costing the company another $12,000
per month.
Ashlee Crabtree
Math 1210 Pipeline Project
Fall 2017

I added the miles going through the mountain and south to the refinery.
54+43=97 miles

$237,000*97
+ $12,000*8
+ $575,000
+ $2,896,000
$26,556,000

B) I) I determined the cost of running the pipeline the shortest distance across the private
ground to the refinery and found that the total cost would be $36,227,520.
First, I determined the distance of going across the private ground to the refinery (C).

18 54

C
43 43

54

C= (43^2+54^2)=69.03 miles

For any pipeline run across private ground, your company incurs an additional
$195,000 per mile cost for right-of-way fees in addition to the normal costs
($237,000 per mile) of the pipeline itself.

69.03*$195,000
+ 69.03* $237,000
$29820761

II) I then determined the cost of running the pipeline straight south across the private ground,
and then straight east to the refinery. The total coast would be $41,904,000.

43+54=97 miles.

97*$195,000
Ashlee Crabtree
Math 1210 Pipeline Project
Fall 2017
+ 97*$237,000
$41,904,000

C) Next, I came up with an equation to determine the cost for the pipeline if we were to
run it from the well, across the private ground at a specific angle, intersect the BLM
ground to the south, and then run it east to the refinery.

I determined my cost function to be C(x)=432000(1849+x^2)+237,000(54-x)

18 54

=33.276

43 43 C=51.43

x=28.22

In order to determine the distance the pipeline would go through the private ground, I had to
solve for x so that I could calculate C.

I found x to be 28.22 miles.

Ashlee Crabtree
Math 1210 Pipeline Project
Fall 2017
After solving for x, I was able to find the distance going across the private land (C).
43^3+28.22^2=51.43 miles

Then to find the angle for the best path of the pipeline leaving the well, I took the inverse
tangent of x/C.

Tan^-1(28.22/43)=33.276 degrees

D) Finally, I graphed the cost function:

Ashlee Crabtree
Math 1210 Pipeline Project
Fall 2017
I have learned many real life application concepts from Calculus. I have learned about
positions, velocities, and accelerations and can apply those to real world situations. I have
learned about finding areas under curves and how to relate equations for find areas of different
kinds of shapes, place many other useful concepts. Calculus is a useful tool because it allows
you to learn about the world numerically.