Oil Pipelines 101 Class
This class consists of five lessons, two in the morning and three in the afternoon. It will be taught by Tom Miesner via Zoom. All times are U.S. Central time.
Lesson 1 – Introduction Oil Pipelines - This foundational lesson starts with the oil and gas midstream industry and then covers crude oil and refined products pipelines and facilities from start to finish with a pictorial overview.
Oil Pipelines systems are divided into three parts,
- the pipeline itself,
- the facilities, such as pump and metering stations and tank farms, and
- the control systems used to operate them.
Lesson 2 – Oil Pipeline Materials
This lesson covers the basic materials from which pipelines and faculties are constructed including the two types of pipe used to construct pipelines, cathodic protection – including coatings and rectifiers - and valves, and actuators. Students regularly comment on the pipeline manufacturing and coating videos.
Lesson 3 – Oil Facility Equipment and Components
The lesson explains centrifugal pumps, electric motors, variable speed drives, control valves, pressure relief valves, four types of meters, two types of provers, and samplers, scraper launchers and receivers, DRA injection skids, and tanks, are all explained in easy-to-understand nontechnical language. This lesson is heavy on pictures and drawings, allowing students to visualize and understand the materials, equipment, and components that comprise oil pipelines and facilities.
Lesson 4 – Oil Pipelines Control Systems
This lesson is a logical add on to the facility components lesson and discusses how oil pipelines are controlled, including an introduction to SCADA systems.
Lesson 5 – Introduction to Oil Pipeline Control Operations and Maintenance – This lesson provides an overview of both oil pipeline field and control room operations from receiving oil into the pipeline to delivering it out. it also a discussion of damage prevention, equipment maintenance, and indirect operating tasks.