Modes Used for Petroleum Transportation

	Pipeline	Marine	Rail	Truck
Volumes	Large	Very large	Small	Large
Materials	Crude / Products	Crude / Products	Products	Products
Scale	2 ML+	10 ML+	100 kL	5-60 kL
Unit costs	Very low	Low	High	Very high
Capital costs	High	Medium	Low	Very low
Access	Very limited	Very limited	Limited	High
Responsiveness	1-4 weeks	7 days	2-4 days	4-12 hours
Flexibility	Limited	Limited	Good	High
Usage	Long haul	Long haul	Medium haul	Short haul

Source: adapted from Ken Dymock (2007) General Manager, Distribution, Petro Canada, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Transportation Situation & Outlook Conference.