This report surveys the contributions of oil and gas pipelines in meeting the Nation’s energy needs, the critical role that research played in making those contributions possible up until now, and how research will be necessary in the future to meet the challenges facing pipelines. Continued, even increased, dependence on pipelines is clear. Not only will demand for oil and natural gas grow, requiring greater capacity for distribution across the nation and into communities, but regional patterns of supply and demand will shift, requiring reconfigured pipeline movements. ...
This report surveys the contributions of oil and gas pipelines in meeting the Nation’s energy needs, the critical role that research played in making those contributions possible up until now, and how research will be necessary in the future to meet the challenges facing pipelines. Continued, even increased, dependence on pipelines is clear. Not only will demand for oil and natural gas grow, requiring greater capacity for distribution across the nation and into communities, but regional patterns of supply and demand will shift, requiring reconfigured pipeline movements. Research is essential to improve pipeline safety, supply reliability, environmental performance, security and efficiency as the system encounters higher capacity utilization and higher bars for performance.
Summary: