06AUG2019 - NEWS - Impact of Existing and Emerging Virtual Pipeline System Market Trends 2018 to 2027

Virtual pipelines are designed for scheduling shipments of oil and oil products from one point to another, either by transportation taking place in seas and oceans, coastal tankers, and by barges. The shipments can also be handled by containers via rail or road. Thus, virtual gas pipeline operations supply markets that are either too small for normal LNG-large scale carriers or are too geographically challenging in terms of pipeline construction. In current times, this technology has made wonders possible in the oil industry.

Recently, innovations in liquefaction technology and cost reductions have made possible the cooling of natural gas into liquid natural gas, which is quite smaller in volume. It can be safely transported in relatively small amounts without high compression. As a result, it is now possible for small-scale LNG-fueled power plants to get supplies by virtual pipelines, in order to further power factories, industrial parks and mines existing in remote locations. At a regional level, a bunkering facility can accept large LNG deliveries for subsequent bulk-breaking into smaller quantities to be distributed to customers across the region. This transportation system is currently being planned and even operating in specific regions located in North America, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.