Today's industrial world is a dynamic, constantly changing one, dedicated to an ever-increasing output of better products at lower cost. New methods and technological improvements are emerging from laboratories and drafting boards and computer centers at a pace few scientists could foresee even a few years ago.

From the outset, when Tapline was being conceived and planned in the mid-1940s, the importance of the pioneer attitude and spirit has been recognized and encouraged. In the years that have followed, the company's engineers and technicians have been able to contribute significantly, through innovations and improved techniques, to the field of pipeline technology.

When Tapline began operations on December 2, 1950, with the loading of the first tanker to arrive at its Sidon terminal, the pipeline had a maximum throughput of 310,000 barrels a day. Through the introduction of the latest equipment and methods, many of which were conceived and developed within the company, this capacity has been increased by 170,000 barrels daily, or 55 per cent.

The installation of remotely- controlled portable combustion -turbine- powered pumping units was completed in 1958, and marked the first such application to a crude oil pipeline. The 5,000-horsepower units, which burn crude oil from the pipeline, increased the daily capacity of the line by 130,000 barrels or 42 per cent, although they represent an investment equal to only 11 per cent of the original investment in the pipeline.

These large units were designed to be portable so that they could be transported by road to the company's central machine shop at Turaif for major overhauls. Mounted on a special trailer for such a haul, the 200-ton load is moved by a team of three 300-horsepower trucks, or by a single massive 700-horsepower truck.

To operate the remotely- controlled units and permit efficient control of all oil movement through the line, the company developed a beyond-the-horizon Very High Frequency radio network. Built at one third the cost of available conventional systems and the first of its kind to be used by private industry, the VHF network provides much greater quality and reliability than ordinary shortwave transmission systems.

Installation of VHF radio-controlled auxiliary pumping units increased capacity of the pipeline by 130,000 barrels daily, or 42 per cent.