BIG inch pipeline (built in 1 year)
Big Inch and Little Big Inch
3,831 Miles of Pipeline Threatening Our Public Lands
The Big Inch and Little Big Inch are historic WWII-era pipelines (1942-1944) built by the US government to safely transport crude oil and refined products from Texas to the Northeast. Spanning ~1,400 miles, these 24-inch and 20-inch pipelines were vital in securing oil transport, delivering over 300,000 barrels per day to aid Allied forces.
Key Aspects of the Big Inch Pipeline:
Purpose:
Created during World War II to transport oil from Texas to the Atlantic Coast, avoiding U-boat attacks on sea tankers.
Dimensions:
The "Big Inch" (crude oil) had a 24-inch diameter, while the "Little Big Inch" (refined products) had a 20-inch diameter.
Route:
Connected Longview, Texas, to the New York/Philadelphia refining area, specifically passing through Little Rock, Arkansas, and Norris City, Illinois, before reaching Linden, New Jersey.
Construction:
Construction started in 1942 and was completed in 350 days, with oil flowing in August 1943.
Impact:
Considered a "potent weapon of war," it provided over 300,000 barrels of oil daily, significantly aiding the Allied war effort.
Legacy:
Sold in 1947, the pipelines still exist today, primarily transporting natural gas.
Big Inch and Little Big Inch
3,831 Miles of Pipeline Threatening Our Public Lands
The Big Inch and Little Big Inch are historic WWII-era pipelines (1942-1944) built by the US government to safely transport crude oil and refined products from Texas to the Northeast. Spanning ~1,400 miles, these 24-inch and 20-inch pipelines were vital in securing oil transport, delivering over 300,000 barrels per day to aid Allied forces.
Key Aspects of the Big Inch Pipeline:
Purpose:
Created during World War II to transport oil from Texas to the Atlantic Coast, avoiding U-boat attacks on sea tankers.
Dimensions:
The "Big Inch" (crude oil) had a 24-inch diameter, while the "Little Big Inch" (refined products) had a 20-inch diameter.
Route:
Connected Longview, Texas, to the New York/Philadelphia refining area, specifically passing through Little Rock, Arkansas, and Norris City, Illinois, before reaching Linden, New Jersey.
Construction:
Construction started in 1942 and was completed in 350 days, with oil flowing in August 1943.
Impact:
Considered a "potent weapon of war," it provided over 300,000 barrels of oil daily, significantly aiding the Allied war effort.
Legacy:
Sold in 1947, the pipelines still exist today, primarily transporting natural gas.
