Pipelines and communication

The essentials

Pipelines are used widely to transport liquids and gases such as water, petroleum and natural gas over long distances without interruption. They are also used to carry slurry (minerals mixed with water) and in some countries milk. In the USA, a dense network of oil pipelines carries oil from producing areas to consuming areas; the Big Inch pipeline carries petroleum from the oil wells of the Gulf of Mexico to the north-east of the USA.

Communication is the transfer of words, messages, facts and ideas. Early methods were slow; the invention of the telegraph, telephone, radio and television made communication faster. Today satellites and the internet allow almost instant communication across the world.

Key points

• Pipelines have high initial costs but low running costs; they work continuously and are not affected by weather.
• Disadvantages: once laid, their capacity cannot easily be increased; leaks are hard to detect and repair, and safety and security are concerns.
• Satellite communication allows communication over large areas and is useful for weather forecasting, disaster warning and remote sensing.
• India launched its first satellite, Aryabhatta, in 1975.
• Cyberspace is the world of electronic, computerised space, represented by the internet and the World Wide Web.
• The internet has expanded e-commerce, e-governance, e-learning and global networking.
• Optical fibre cables carry large amounts of data quickly and securely.

Exam tips

List two advantages and two disadvantages of pipelines; these are common short-answer prompts. Remember that satellites made communication independent of distance.

Common mistakes

Pipelines do not carry only oil; they also carry water, gas, slurry and other liquids.