Pipelines are the unsung backbone of the global energy system–quietly moving billions of barrels of oil and trillions of cubic feet of gas with unmatched efficiency, reliability, and scale. In the U.S., they handle nearly 70% of all petroleum shipments, or over 14 billion barrels annually, without the headlines or volatility of seaborne trade. What makes pipelines indispensable isn’t just cost or carbon footprint; it’s continuity. Cross-border systems like Russia’s Druzhba and Canada’s Keystone aren’t just conduits;…