V. Read and translate the following text. Historical development of oil pipe line

Most industrialized countries have long had large networks of pipes for the distribution of water and gas, but pipelines as a means of moving commodities over long distances originated in the oil industry more than a hundred years ago. The first successful crude oil pipeline was built in 1865 in Pennsylvania, a screwed cast-iron pipeline 2 in. diameter and six miles long. Its life was short, but it demonstrated the feasibility of the method.

The first pipe line in Russia was laid in 1878. It was a short line built for the transportation of oil from the Balahani oil fields to the town of Baku. Its construction was followed by the building in 1904 of a trunk line from Baku to Batumi. It connected the oil fields of Baku with the port of Batumi. Its length was 833 km. The construction of these pipelines was too difficult because of absence of such equipment as tractors, cranes, excavators and etc. The trenches for laying a pipe were dug by means of spades; the pipe was laid into them with the help of ropes, without using any machinery. Now to help the builders there are first class machines (powerful tractors, bulldozers, scrapers, ditchers, pipe-bending, pipe screwing and pipe-laying machines).

A considerable mileage of trunk pipe was constructed in the Soviet times after the Great October Socialist Revolution. The trunk lines Grozny to Tuapse, Emba to Orsk, a new line from Baku to Batumi were among first pipe lines built in the Soviet Union. In 1970s there appeared two major pipe lines: the 4,968 mile Siberian pipe line and the 2,795 mile Friendship line. The name “Friendship” was given due to the fact that the pipeline was intended to supply oil to the energy hungry western regions of the Soviet Union, to its “fraternal socialist allies” in the former Soviet bloc, and to Western Europe. Today it is one of the principle arteries for the transportation of hydrocarbons across Europe.

In the course of time pipe lines have proved to be the most economical method for the distribution of natural gas and the transportation of oil in bulk, the oil pipe line net increasing from year to year.

The basic problem facing pipe lining is to increase efficiency and delivery capacity of the line. To that end, the length, the size and the diameter of lines have been growing continuously.

At present there is an increasing tendency to use long-distance large-diameter pipes (up to 48 inches, i.e. more than one meter), at the same time thinner wall pipes are coming into use.

There has been a general belief that pipe line transportation is confined to crude petroleum, but this is not necessarily the case. At present, an extensive research program has been launched on solid pipe lining, including slurry and capsules. Other possible materials being considered for pipe line transportation are coal, iron ore, potash and even corn.

VI. Answer the following questions.

1. What method is the most economical for the transportation of oil and gas?

2. When was the first oil pipe line built in our country?

3. What was the first 1ong-distance trunk line in the Soviet Union? When was it built?

4. What were the two major oil pipe lines built in the Soviet Union?

5. What is their length and where do they start and terminate?

6. What countries is oil supplied to through the pipe line “Friendship”?

7. Why did the Soviet Union expand the net of oil pipe lines?

8. What materials can be transported through the pipe lines?

9. What is the largest diameter of pipe lines?

10. What is the future of pipelining?

VII. Put the sentences into the passive, mentioning the agent where necessary and translate them.

1. We transport oil through pipe lines. 2. Our country launched an extensive research program. 3. Soon we shall transport iron ore, coal and other materials through pipe lines. 4. Russia is making great efforts in the field of the expansion of the oil pipeline net. 5. Last year at this time we were completing the construction of a trunk pipe line. 6. We shall be finding new solutions to this problem for some years. 7. Since the beginning of the 19^th century Russia has constructed a considerable mileage of trunk pipe lines. 8. Prior to 1878 we had transported petroleum in barrels. 9. By 1930 we shall have accomplished the construction of the Trans-Siberian pipe line.

VIII. Put the sentences into the Past, Future Indefinite and Present Perfect.

1. Pipelines are manufactured from iron and steel.

2. The pipeline is used for oil and gas transportation.

3. A new pipeline is built by this pipe line construction company.