Oil and gas
Transporting Hydrocarbons
07/08/2010
© Total / Dufour Marco
The main oil and gas deposits are located in emerging or developing countries. Once domestic demand is met, these countries export most of their hydrocarbon production to industrialized regions. Europe, North America, and East Asia have strict energy requirements but are not self-sufficient enough in terms of oil and gas supplies.
Thus, production areas are often far removed from the areas where the oil and gas is needed. This is why large quantities of hydrocarbons havebeen transported all over the world for decades.
Transporting Oil by Sea
Tankers are huge ships that carry oil to all four corners of the planet, following specific maritime routes. This type of shipping is governed by strict safety regulations that oil companies, states, and shipowners must respect.
Transporting Hydrocarbons by Land
Oil is transported via pipelines that are several thousand kilometers long. Geopolitical issues must be taken into account when these pipelines are being built. Gas can also be transported via pipelines.
Storing Hydrocarbons
Once at their destination, oil and gas are not always used immediately. In this case, they are stored in highly secure centers specially designed for this purpose.
