> why couldnt they just build it in a straight line? my thought as well, they obviously bought the right-of-way because the pipeline snakes in and out of it. they effectively turned 1 mile of length over ground into 1.5 mile of line. i know in some cases you need bends and elbows to slow velocity but i think thats typically in gasses, because if they go too fast they expand and create blowouts. this is why the retard tanks and 360degree bends are typically in steam pipes to slow the rate at which it can travel down pipes. i am pretty sure those pipes from alaska are crude, in which case a straight run would have been more cost effective, less materials, and easier to run a pig thru cleaning and testing lines.
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