PIPELINES :

OPPORTUNITIES AND
CHALLENGES
1

OUTLINE
Modes of Transportation
Comparison with other modes
Pipeline Networks
Advantages
Opportunities
Challenges

PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
TRANSPORTATION

MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
COMPARISON
Mode

Product
Options

Speed

Accessibility

Cost

Capacity

% of US
Product
Movement

Truck

Very
Broad

Moderate

High

Moderate

Low

28

Railroad

Broad

Slow

Moderate

Low

Moderate

41

Air

Narrow

Fast

Low

Very High

Very Low

<1

Water

Broad

Very Slow

Moderate

Very Low

Very High

13

Pipeline

Very
Narrow

Very Slow

Low

Low

Very High

17

PIPELINE NETWORKS

ADVANTAGES

OPPORTUNITIES - GROWTH IN
CAPACITY
Crude Oil Pipelines

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

Pipeline Integrity Management

Aging Assets

Corrosion Protection

Security of Pipelines - Pilferage & Sabotage

Urbanization and Encroachments

Throughput Achievement

Crude oil Transportation

Capacity Utilization

Handling of cheaper crudes

Products Transportation

Interface Management

10

CHALLENGES IN PROJECT
IMPLEMENTATION
Clearances / Permissions

RoW Acquisition

Land Acquisition for Stations, RCPs, SVs, etc.

Delay in Forest, Environment and other Statutory

Clearances

Permissions from various Departments / Agencies like

NHAI, Railways etc.

Increasing resistance from land owners / farmers /

activists

Regulatory issues with PNGRB

Socio-Political Scenario

11

CHALLENGES IN PROJECT
IMPLEMENTATION
Challenges in Execution

Delay in Resource mobilization by contractors

Poor Materials Quality and Delayed Supplies

Use of latest equipment and technology to squeeze

the time schedule

Availability of executing agencies

Availability of trained and qualified manpower

Interaction of industry and specialist to modernize

construction activities and reduce construction
overheads

12

CHALLENGES IN PIPELINE
OPERATIONS
Product Pipelines

Capacity Utilization

Multiple specifications for products affect pipeline operations

Delivering of product due to stringent quality norms like Euro IV

Feasibility of transporting batch lengths in line with demand

Interface quantity control, absorption, storage & disposal

Pilferage Control

Ageing of Pipelines - Integrity, Reliability issues

Crude Oil Pipelines

Requirement to pump more viscous / heavier crude oils

Blending of crude oils : Blending at Vadinar, Mundra and Paradip

Increased pumping of high sulphur crude

Pilferage Control

Ageing of Pipelines - Integrity, Reliability issues

13

CHALLENGES IN PIPELINE
MAINTENANCE

Encroachments and Urbanization

Scarcity of quality contractors in remote locations

Safety and security of Pipelines, SPMs, tank farm locations

etc.
Washouts restoration

Improved mechanical system for refurbishment

rehabilitation of coatings of large pipeline system

&

Technology support for study of Interference problems due

to common RoW
Improved surveillance system

Stable SCADA facilities and support for unmanned stations

Stable power supply system for mainline protection and

safe operation

Dependence on import for critical items like valve, fittings

etc.

14

PILFERAGE ATTEMPT

15

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