Infrastructure in Focus: Colonial and Plantation Pipelines – Fuel Arteries for the East Coast
The Colonial and Plantation pipeline systems are the two major systems that supply transportation fuels (gasoline, diesel and jet fuel) and heating oil from Gulf Coast refineries to the densely populated demand centers along the East Coast. Colonial Pipeline, which originates in Houston and terminates in New York Harbor, includes more than 5,500 miles of pipeline and delivers 2.5 million b/d of refined products. The pipeline supplies 11 states and serves seven airports directly. The Colonial system includes 15 breakout tankage locations and connects to 260 regional storage terminals. 12 Plantation Pipeline, which originates in Louisiana and terminates in Northern Virginia, moves 750,000 b/d of refined products. Together, Colonial and Plantation transport more than 20 percent of all transportation fuels and heating oil consumed in the United States. 13
COLONIAL AND PLANTATION TRANSPORT MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF ALL TRANSPORTATION FUELS AND HEATING OIL CONSUMED IN THE UNITED STATES.
Exceptional Safety Pipelines are one of the safest modes for transporting petroleum liquids. Starting with the planning process, pipeline companies work with key stakeholders to address safety and security issues. During construction, only the highest quality materials are used, and the pipeline is inspected and tested before it goes into service according to, and often exceeding, the highest federal and engineering standards. Pipeline operators work constantly to keep their systems
safe, using cutting-edge diagnostic tools to inspect pipelines, conducting preventative maintenance, monitoring pipeline pressure to quickly detect leaks and shutdown affected systems, establishing emergency response plans, and practicing emergency response to ensure rapid action if incidents do occur. For example, robotic devices called “smart pigs” (due to the squealing sound they make as they travel through the pipeline) are used to evaluate the inside of pipelines to ensure that they are safe.
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