Oil & Gas Pipelines and geopolitics
using a frieren framework of analysis critically explore how youth work and community
development obscures or responds to issues of structural inequality
The History of fuel pipelines The first use of a pipe for transferring fuel has occurred in China
about 2,500 years ago. The Chinese used bamboo pipes for transporting natural gas from
shallow wells. They used to burn it under pans in order to boil seawater for desalination and
make the water drinkable. Later records indicate that as early as 400 BC, the Chinese used
bamboo pipes, wrapped in wax, to light the capital of China, Peking. Pipelines development in
the 18th and 19th century The early designed pipelines were restricted by materials, preliminary
technologies, and the restricted ability for pumping of oil. Such systems did not have any
prospect of being developed. The use of wood, iron, lead and even tin pipes were common
during the 18’s decade to transport water. Primarily in 1821 wood pipes were used for
transporting natural gas in New York State, USA. In 1843 iron pipes were used. Making use of
such a system considerably reduced the probability of hazards of transporting the flammable
and explosive natural gas. By 1863, a 4 km iron pipeline, completed with pumps to move the oil
up to 150 Meter was laid in Pennsylvania, USA. That pipeline was not a successful pipeline,
particularly when the pump leaked at the joints. The first fully successful oil pipeline, which was
wrapped in iron frames with highly reinforced joints with a capacity of about 2,000 barrels of oil
per day across 8 km of land, came in operation at1865 in the USA. Today, the world’s longest
crude oil pipeline runs about 3755 km flow the crude oil about 1.6 (Mb/d). However, from the
early days of the wooden trench and wooden barrels, the pipeline industry has had a great deal
of progress and has implemented the newest technology in pipeline operations and
maintenance. Today, the industry uses sophisticated controls and computer systems, advanced
pipe materials, and anti-corrosion metallurgical techniques. The oil and gas are transported in
large transmission pipelines to refineries, power stations, oil terminals, etc. Oil and natural gas
provide most of the world’s energy. The fuels providing the world’s energy needs are: Oil =
34% Coal = 24% Natural gas = 21% Nuclear = 7% Hydro = 2% Other = 12% It is estimated
fossil fuels will remain the primary sources of energy, in the fraction of about 90% of the
increase in future energy demand of the world. Global oil demand will rise by about 1.6% per
year, from 75 Mb/d in 2000 to 120 Mb/d in 2030, and demand for natural gas will rise more
strongly than for any other fossil fuels and will be doubled between until 2030. Today the total
length of transmission pipelines around the world has been estimated at 3,500,000 km. The
quota is estimated to be, 64% carry natural gas 19% carry oil products 17% carry crude oil
Pipelines and geopolitics Pipelines for transporting of oil and natural gas are not merely an
element of international trade. They connect to geopolitics and international security issues, and
the construction, placement, and control of oil and gas pipelines often figure prominently in the
state national benefits and international actions. A notable example of pipeline politics occurred
at the beginning of the year 2009, wherein a dispute between Russia and Ukraine ostensibly
over pricing led to a major political crisis. Russia cut off the supply of natural gas to Ukraine
after talks between it and the Ukrainian government failed. In addition to cutting off supplies to
Ukraine, Russian gas flowing through Ukraine which included nearly all supplies to Europe was
cut off, creating an energy crisis in several European countries heavily dependent on Russian
gas as fuel. Also in acts of regional war, terrorism, sabotage, and theft the parameter of
geopolitics engaged in the field pipelines system. Pipelines can be the target of vandalism,
sabotage, or even terrorist attacks. In wars, pipelines are often the target of military attacks, as
the destruction of pipelines can seriously disrupt the enemy of access to vital energy sources.
The world’s oil and gas pipelines pass within and across regions that are politically unstable
regions involved in armed conflicts, regions like Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon and so on, or prone to
terrorist attacks. For example, Saudi Arabia has about 20,000 km of pipelines and this may be a
suitable, easy target for a terrorist attack. Conclusion Although, pipelines and its facilities are
vulnerable to terrorist attacks, sabotage, the world’s pipeline system is growing. The pipelines
continue to play a major role in the oil and gas industry providing safe, reliable and economical
transportation. The shipment of oil and gas by super-jumbo tankers also are liable to the danger
of terrorist attacks and sabotage in the case of crossing through Straits of the seas. However,
as the need for the world’s energy increases, while many continues to be far away from supply
energy centres, more pipelines are needed to continue to bring energy for the world. Indeed
without pipelines, the world would not be able to satisfy the huge oil and gas needs for the
future. Pipeline industry development is so vital for the civilization of human beings, but in
technical and protection points of view, it needs to change its operations.