U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Program
Fact #309: March 1, 2004
Transporting Petroleum
As more pipelines have been built, they are used increasingly to transport petroleum. In 1981, more than half of petroleum carried in domestic transportation was transported by water carrier. By 2001, however, pipelines transport two-thirds of the petroleum.
Share of Petroleum Carried in Domestic Transportation, 1981 and 2001 
Note: The term petroleum in this graph refers to crude petroleum and petroleum products.
Supporting Information
| |
1981 |
2001 |
| Pipelines |
46% |
66% |
| Water Carrier |
51% |
28% |
| Motor Carrier |
2% |
4% |
| Railroads |
1% |
2% |
|
Source: Association of Oil Pipelines, Shifts in Petroleum Transportation, May 2003. |
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