What kinds of petroleum are transported through oil pipelines?
Oil pipelines transport liquid petroleum and some liquefied gases. Crude oil pipelines provide transport for a wide variety of crude oils that vary widely in density, viscosity, sulfur content, and in other properties. Product pipelines transport more than 50 refined petroleum products such as: various grades of motor gasoline, home heating oil, diesel fuel, aviation gasoline, jet fuels, and kerosene. For instance, Colonial Pipeline, the major product pipeline that stretches from Texas to New Jersey, transports almost 40 different formulations of gasoline alone – different grades of each mandated type of gasoline, the requirements for which vary seasonally and regionally. Liquefied ethylene, propane, butane, and some petrochemical feedstocks are also transported through oil pipelines.
