Petroleum Storage & Transportaton Capacities

Robert V. Sellers, Chairman

National Petroleum Council

1979

Abstract

This report provides detailed data on the storage and transportation of oil and natural gas to assist those responsible for emergency preparedness planning, but it does not attempt to analyze various hypothetical emergency situations. The report includes data on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) only in specifically identified transport facilities. The logistical and inventory segments of the petroleum industry are ever changing. The system capacities presented in the report are those that existed within the primary petroleum distribution system at a fixed point in time. The method by which petroleum inventories are stored and transported is an integrated and highly complex logistical process within which crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas are moved from extraction and manufacturing to the customer. It is important that the reader understand that the various components of this primary system do not exist in isolation: rather they function only as part of the very much larger US and foreign petroleum and natural gas industry. Therefore, attempts to extrapolate from the data in this report may result in invalid conclusions. The report consists of six volumes:

+ Volume I - Executive summary;

+ Volume II - Inventory and storage report;

+ Volume III - Petroleum pipeline report;

+ Volume IV - Tank cars/trucks report;

+ Volume V - Waterborne transportation report;

+ Volume VI - Gas pipeline report.

Volumes II through VI provide full details of the report. Included within each volume are data requested by the Secretary and an overview providing background information on industry operations. Each volume also contains a glossary of terms used in the report, a description of the report methodology, and appropriate maps, tables, charts, and graphs.