Piping VS Pipeline


The Difference Between Piping and Pipeline
When it comes to transport the fluid, Piping and Pipeline are most frequent words used in Oil & Gas industries. Let us explore the similarity and differences between Piping and Pipeline. Piping and Pipeline both used to transport various liquids, gases and sometimes slurry and powder material.
 
We will compare Piping and Pipeline through the following five aspects.
Straight Vs Complex
For example, West-East Pipeline in China is 8,200 KMs longs.
Piping is a Complex network of pipe & fittings within the defined boundaries of the plant.
 
Above Ground / Under Ground / Sub-sea
The pipeline can run underground, aboveground and underwater such as a subsea pipeline. Whereas Piping is mostly above ground with very few underground services.
 
Large Dia Vs Small Dia
Another difference between Piping and Pipeline is that Pipelines are mostly large diameter that transport bulk liquid or gas from one place to other sometimes 1000s of miles in distance. Whereas Piping can be from ½” to 80” as per the plant design requirements that transfer fluid from on equipment to another within the plant boundary.
 
Use of Equipment
In the pipeline, use of pipefittings is limited. Mostly long radius bends with very few other types of fittings that use at a pumping station and valve station. Whereas in the case of piping very wide range of pipe fittings are used that server different purpose within the piping system such as change the direction, size, branching, blinding etc.
 
Similarly, in pipeline few equipment are used within the Pipeline system such as pumps, valves & instruments that support the function of the system to transport fluid safely over a long distance. Whereas verity of equipment such as a pump, valves, filter vessel, column, heat exchanger, instruments are used within the piping system that supports the function of the plant to produce finish product.
 
Design Codes & Standard
The last difference between Piping and Pipeline,   In Oil & Gas Industries, a pipeline is designed in accordance with ASME B31.4 that is code for Liquid Transportation Systems for Hydrocarbons, Liquid Petroleum Gas, Anhydrous Ammonia, and Alcohol and ASME B31.8 that is a code for Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems.
 
Whereas Piping is designed in accordance with ASME B31.3 that is Process Piping code and for power plant piping ASME B31.1 that is code for Power Piping.
 

Piping VS Pipeline
 

PPIPELINE	PIPING
Series of straight pipe welded together for a long distance	Complex network of pipe & fittings within the defined boundaries of the plant
underground, aboveground and underwater such as subsea pipeline	Mostly above ground with very few underground services.
Mostly large diameter	Can be from ½” to 80” in diameter
Use of pipefittings are limited.	Very wide range of pipefittings are used.
Few equipment are used within the Pipeline system	Verity of equipment used within the piping system
Design in accordance with ASME B31.4, ASME B31.8	ASME B31.3 , ASME B31.1