Military

(1) In an Undeveloped TO. Bulk fuels are received in the undeveloped TO in over-the-beach operations using TPTs. Hose lines or coupled pipelines initially carry the products inland, and the Army transports the fuels to the ground forces, where possible. Coastal tankers may be used to move products from deep draft tankers to moorings in waters too shallow for larger ships. Bulk fuel is transferred by flexible hose lines to tank farms, which are made up of steel or collapsible, fabric storage tanks. The petroleum supply system in an undeveloped TO includes tanker mooring facilities, floating hose lines, submarine pipelines, and inland tank farms and terminals that use hose lines and collapsible tanks. The system also includes pump stations, flexible hose lines, coupled pipelines, and tank vehicles. Bulk fuel is moved from base terminals and rear storage locations to the combat zone, using flexible hose lines.

Coupled pipelines are used when the beachhead is expanded. Initially, tactical air bases are connected to the main hose line or pipeline and to the appropriate tank farm by hose line. The pipeline and hose-line systems extend as far forward as possible, usually into the corps' rear area. The hose-line system is a rapidly deployable system. The initial system will probably consist of the TPT, portable pumps with capacities of 600 and 800 gallons per minute (GPM), hose lines, and collapsible storage tanks. As the beachhead and the theater are expanded, rigid tactical pipelines and fixed pumping assemblies will be required. Other means of delivery, such as tank vehicle, barge, and aircraft, will be incorporated into the system, as required.

(2) In a Developed TO. Bulk fuels not locally procured are received from ocean tankers at TPTs. Bulk fuels are transferred by pipeline to tank farms. The system includes discharge facilities, which include tanker moorings, piers, docks, and piping manifolds at ports, sea terminals, or at other points of entry; inland tank farms; storage terminals; and other petroleum-storage facilities. The system also includes pump stations and pipelines.

Large-scale combat operations may justify construction of welded or coupled pipelines to move bulk fuels from the communications zone (COMMZ) storage locations to the combat zone. When possible, the pipeline system services air bases and tactical airfields. Hose lines are used to service small-volume or temporary large-volume requirements. The pipeline system extends as far forward as possible, usually into the corps' storage sites.

Since bulk petroleum makes up over 70 percent of the tonnage moved in the TO, pipelines significantly reduce other transportation requirements (rail and highway) and congestion. The system is supplemented by other means of bulk delivery: barges, rail tank cars, tank vehicles, and aircraft. Branch lines are used when it is practical to supply users from the main pipeline. Tank vehicles, rail tank cars, and hose lines are used to move bulk-petroleum products from general- to direct-support echelons. Bulk transporters may move bulk fuel from the direct-support echelon to using units. Using units are authorized organizational equipment to receive the bulk products and to refuel their vehicles and aircraft without resorting to cans and drums.

(1) Elements. Petroleum supply planning involves the following major elements:

(2) Considerations. The petroleum supply system must be designed for the type of operations and climate of the specific theater. Plans must take into account the following:

(3) Categories.

(1) Hose Lines. Military hose lines are available in sizes from 2 to 6 inches with strengths up to 740 pounds per square inch (psi). Hose lines are used in TPTs, in ship-to-shore tanker unloading (or loading) lines, and for overland delivery of petroleum products within a 5-mile radius, based on mission analysis. Most hose lines can be installed quickly with minimal manpower and equipment. However, hose lines are much more susceptible to damage and cannot transport as much fuel as metal pipelines. New technologies appear to be reducing the hose-line disadvantages. Durability has been enhanced and working pressures increased so that hose lines may provide a viable pipeline alternative in the future. High-pressure hose lines are currently being tested for their shelf-life potential.

(2) Coupled Pipelines. Military coupled pipelines are available in aluminum and steel. The steel pipe is grooved at the ends and uses a split-ring coupling and gasket for sealing. The aluminum pipe also is grooved at both ends and uses a hinged snap-joint coupling. Coupled pipelines are always surface-laid. Coupled pipelines can be used in an undeveloped TO and can be economical for distances over 5 miles. Coupled pipelines can be installed much quicker and with less skilled labor than buried welded pipelines. However, coupled pipelines are vulnerable to sabotage and normal damage and wear. The aluminum pipe, as a component of the Inland Petroleum Distribution System (IPDS), is the military standard for a coupled pipeline system. Aluminum pipes for the IPDS are 6 inches in diameter and are 19 feet long. The IPDS pipe is coupled with a hinged snapjoint coupling with either a one-piece or integral two-piece split-seal gasket. The hinged coupling provides improved coupling rates (less than 50 seconds per joint) over the bolted-style coupling used during Vietnam, which required an average of 5 minutes per joint.

(1) Petroleum Group. This group has the mission from the theater army to plan, control, and supervise the operation of the fuel-distribution system. The group's headquarters develops requirements for petroleum-handling equipment, facilities, construction, and petroleum units needed to develop, operate, and maintain the system. It supervises two or more petroleum-pipeline and terminal-operating battalions, transportation motor transport battalions (petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL)), and other units, as required.

(2) Petroleum Pipeline and Terminal Operating Battalion. This battalion--

(3) Petroleum Pipeline and Terminal Operating Company. This company's mission is to operate and maintain, on a 24-hour basis, a section of pipeline not to exceed six pipeline pump stations and one TPT. The company's maintenance capabilities include repairing and replacing valves, blinds, pressure gauges, meters, pump units, welded pipelines, coupled pipelines, hose lines, and related pipeline equipment.

(1) Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion. This battalion is the primary military engineer unit to support the construction of the bulk-petroleum distribution system. (A corps combat engineer battalion could accomplish the mission, but at a slower rate.) The unit provides horizontal and general construction support for the pipeline construction mission. The engineer battalion is the higher headquarter of the specialized unit assigned to it for pipeline construction. Horizontal tasks include route clearing and leveling, pumping-station pad preparation, culvert construction, gapcrossing construction, TPT berm construction, and construction-staging-area preparation. General construction tasks include surveying and constructing the pipeline system.

(2) Engineer Pipeline-Construction Support Company. This unit provides the engineer battalion the technical expertise and specialized equipment for constructing the pipeline system. The unit has limited, independent capabilities to construct pipeline systems. The pipeline construction company can provide technical advisors to a battalion-size task force on a 24-hour basis. Specialized equipment includes bolster trailers, forklifts, 7 1/2-and 40-ton cranes, and small emplacement excavators (SEEs) with drivehead attachments (Figure 1-4). This unit does not have the movement assets to transport the pipeline construction materials from the storage areas to the construction staging areas.