Pipeline

Pipeline

Planning for new capacity must begin far in advance of transporting the first barrel of oil, refined petroleum product, or first cubic foot of natural gas. Pipeline companies must determine possible routes for the new pipelines; acquire the right-of-way (ROW) to build, operate and maintain the pipelines; engineer the actual system designs; and construct the pipelines. Each of these steps are subject to rigorous regulatory reviews and approvals. Construction can only begin after the route selection receives regulatory approval, the ROW is obtained, and the system design is completed.