The procedure involved in the planning and construction of any new pipeline system depends on several factors including the material (fluid or solid) to be transported by the pipeline (whether it is natural gas, oil, water, sewage, slurry, or capsules), the length of the pipeline, and the environment (whether the pipeline is in an urban or countryside setting, whether it is on land or offshore, whether the climate is warm or cold), etc. However, there are more similarities than dissimilarities in constructing different types of pipelines. Once a person understands how a given type of pipeline is built, it is not difficult to figure out how another type should be built. The following is an outline of the procedure used for long-distance steel pipelines that carry natural gas or oil.
