scope:

Pipeline operations are a varietal complex of underground arteries, terminals, compressor and pumping stations, all of which help to transport natural gas, crude oil, refined products, water, coal and many other commodities from producing areas to marketing areas. Major oil and gas pipelines criss-cross continental United States with a total of over 750,000 miles of steel tubes, represent capital expenditures of billions of dollars and a source of work for thousands of skilled craftsmen. Since the oil and gas industries represent a major segment of the pipeline users, this discussion will center about such pipelines.