Pipeline Transportation and Storage

The midstream industry collects and transports crude oil, natural gas, refined petroleum products, and slurry.  Companies across this industry provide the vital link between producers and refiners.  This means moving oil and gas across miles and miles of pipelines to industrial, commercial and residential end-users.

A look at the flow of oil and gas across the industry

Pipelines, tank terminals, and oil tankers are all examples of the infrastructure required for transporting crude oil and gas.

Natural Gas Storage

Natural gas is stored underground due to its’ temperature.  Since natural Gas cannot be stored near or at the well, there are some slight differences in the process.

Excellent visual for natural gas processing and storage

Midstream Economy

In 1942, America was at war with the Axis Powers.  Vessels carrying oil were sunk all across the Gulf of Mexico and eastern shores.  To maintain the flow of oil, a massive pipeline was needed, providing oil from Texas to the east coast.  The solution was the “Big Inch” pipeline, constructed with 24 inches in diameter pipeline!  Without a gigantic pipeline, some historians question whether the Allies could have won the war.  Following are pictures from the Library of Congress.

Welding on the “Big Inch” Pipeline

Gulf of Mexico Ships Sunk

East Coast Vessel Sunk

When external factors are not in play, like a war, the pipeline and transportation industry still finds itself stuck in the middle between producers and refineries.  Strong demand from commercial, industrial and retail markets influences upstream production.  However, when the economy slumps, there is less refining activity, meaning less oil is needed from producers.  Both of these scenarios affect pipeline infrastructure, which in turn affects the number of workers needed for developing the pipelines.

Production dating back to 1950

The good news is the world needs more pipeline infrastructure to keep up with demand. The IEA concludes that another $640 billion investment is needed for E&P spending through at least 2040, an increase over the current $430 billion. A ramp up in pipelines and pipeline infrastructure will be on the rise for years to come.

Top Companies

Midstream companies are in the business of moving oil and gas around from point A to point B.  Here are some of the largest:

US Companies

Globally

Transeft and China National Petroleum Corporation part of the IAOT, International Association of Oil Transporters, which supports oil transportation and storage on international, national and regional levels.

Occupations

Here is a look at some of the workers found across the industry and that are impacted when demand fluctuates: (Click an occupation to expand and learn more.)

• Construction and Extraction Occupations 

  Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. There are roughly around 2,600 of these workers found in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers using hand tools, repairing drilling equipment, and transporting materials. Helper, Laborer, Post Framer, and Construction Worker.

• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers 

  Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices and other mechanical governors. There are a little over 1,700 of these workers in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers repairing mechanical control devices, lubricating mechanical parts, and installing electric meters. Common job titles for this worker are Control Valve Technician, Service Technician, and Valve Technician.

  

  Employment of Control and Valve Installers and Repairers

• Gas Plant Operators 

  Distribute or process gas by controlling compressors to maintain specified pressures on main pipelines. There are over 5,000 of these workers in Pipeline Transportation. You will find this worker operating plant equipment, monitoring flammable products, and controlling compressors. Job titlees for this worker are Gas Controller and Plant Operator.

  

  Employment of Gas Plant Operators

• Industrial Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Workers 

  Lubricates machines, changes parts, and performs machinery maintenance. Pipeline Transportation employs a little over 7,200 of these workers. You will find these workers cleaning machine and machine parts. Cleaning solvents, oil and metalworking fluids are a definite concern for these workers. Common Job titles for this position are Lubricator, Maintenance Man, and Oiler.

• Industrial Machinery Mechanics 

  Worker activities include repairing, installing, and adjusting industrial machinery. There are around 3,100 of this occupation working in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers cutting and welding metal to repair broken metal parts. Job titles for this position are Fixer, Industrial and Master Mechanic.

  

  Employment of Industrial Machinery Mechanics

• Material Moving Workers 

  Help move materials across operations. There are around 3,400 of these workers in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers operating conveyors, transporting materials, and operating machines. Common job titles are Laborer and Operator.

• Petroleum Pump System Operators 

  Operate petroleum refining or processing units. There are around 6,300 of these workers in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers monitoring gauges, opening valves to regualte the flow of oil, and operating manifold/pumping systems. Common Job titles for this position are Gauger, Head Operator, Pumper, and Refinery Operator

  

  Employment of Petroleum Pump System Operators

• Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 

  Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines. There around 1,700 of these workers in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers hammering pipes, securing pipes, and cutting piples. Common job titles for this position are Pipe Fitter, Pipe Welder, and Steamfitter.

  

  Employment of Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters

• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 

  Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand soldering, and brazing equipment to weld/join metal components, fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products. There are around 280 of these workers employed in Pipeline Transportation. You will find these workers welding components in flat, vertical or overhead positions. Common Job titles for this position are Maintenance Welder, Mig Welder, and Welder/Fabricator

  

  Employment of Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Workers 

  Operate welding, soldering or brazing machines that weld, braze, or heat treat metal products. Pipeline Transportation employs around 290 of these workers. You will find these workers adding material to work pieces, joining metal components, and annealing finished work pieces. Common Job titles for this position are Fabricator, Mig Welder, Spot Welder, Fitter-Welder, and Braze Operators.

Safety

Safety is the number one priority on any pipeline job site, as there are endless worksite hazards. Numerous activities pose a risk, from welding pipes, cleaning pipes and falling objects.

The Pipeline industry ranks as the second most hazardous Oil and Gas sub-industry, when compared to the Oil Extraction sub-industry and Refineries sub-industry.  Thankfully, though, the incidents per 100 employees are much lower than other industrial industries.  This is a testament to the value placed on working safely across pipeline worksites.

"When you gamble with safety, you bet your life.""

Gambling may be fun for those spending a weekend in Las Vegas.  For those that may lose their eyesight constructing pipelines, gambling is not an option and is not fun for those that find themselves in a hospital with an injured eye.  Do not gamble by wearing inappropriate PPE!

At MCR Safety, We Protect People! Let us help you find the appropriate PPE for the hazards you face!