Kenley Sperry

Math 1210
Pipeline Project
11/14/16
Dear Company CEO(s),
This information is in regards to the companys natural gas well near vernal,
Utah. I have taken the information that was provided, as in the cost for laying a mile
of pipeline, drilling through the mountain, and right-of-way fees, and completed the
calculations for the predetermined situations. Costs and calculations will be included
below. As requested the route that will minimize cost has been calculated and the
function, graph, and specifics will be shown below.

Costs (Provided Information)

Cost
Cost
Cost
Cost
Cost

to run pipeline - $300,000 per mile

to drill through the mountain - $4,200,000
of impact study - $150,000
of 5 month delay - $375,000
of Right-of-way Fees - $90,000

Predetermined Situations
A-i) Determine the cost of running the pipeline strictly on BLM ground running west,
south, the east to the refinery.

300,000 $/mile*(8 miles + 15 miles + 32 miles) = $16,500,000

A-ii) Determine the cost of running the pipeline strictly on BLM ground heading east
through the mountain and then south to the refinery.

(32 8) = 24

300,000 $/mile*((32 miles - 8 miles) + 15 miles) + ($4,200,000 + $150,000 +

5($75,000))
300,000 $/mile*(24 miles + 15 miles) + ($4,200,000 + $150,000 + $375,000)
$11,700,000 + $4,725,000 = $16,425,000

B-i) Determine the cost of running the pipeline the shortest distance across the
private ground to the refinery.

(24+15

(300,000 $/mile + 90,000 $/mile) *

(24 miles + 15 miles)

390,000 $/mile * 801 miles

390,000 $/mile * 28.3019434 miles = $11,037,757.92

B-ii) Determine the cost of running the pipeline straight south across the private
ground, then straight east to the refinery.

(32 8) = 24

(300,000 $/mile + 90,000 $/mile) * 15 miles + 300,000 $/mile * 24 miles

390,000 $/mile * 15 miles + 300,000 $/mile * 24 miles
$5,850,000 + $7,200,000

$13,050,000

C) Determine the cost function for the pipeline for the configuration involving
running from the well across the private ground at some angle and intersecting the
BLM ground to the south and then running east to the refinery. Determine the
optimal way to run the pipeline to minimize cost.
C(x) = 300,000 $/mile * (x) + 390,000 $/mile *

((24 miles - x) + 15 miles)

*removing units to make it easier to follow*

C(x) = 300,000 * (x) + 390,000 *

((24 - x) + 15)

Cost Function

Domain = [0,24]
C(x) = 300,000x + 390,000 (576 48x + x + 225)
C(x) = 300,000x + 390,000 (801 48x + x)

C '( x)=300,000+

390,000(48 x +2 x )
2(801 48 x+ x )

C '( x)=300,000+

18,720,000+ 780,000 x
2 (801 48 x + x )

C '( x)=300,000+

9,360,000+390,000 x
(801 48 x + x )

300,000+

9,360,000+390,000 x
=0
( 801 48 x+ x )

-9,360,000 + 390,000x =
31.2 1.3x =

(801 48x + x) * -300,000

(801 48x + x)

973.44 81.12x + 1.69x = 801 48x + x

0.69x - 33.12x + 172.44 = 0

x=

33.12 (33.1240.69172.44)
20.69

x=

33.12 (1096.9344 475.9344)

1.38

*Evaluate using Quadratic Equation*

x=

33.12 (621)
1.38

x=

33.12 24.91987159
1.38

x=

58.03987159
1.38

x = 42.05787796

x=

*Out of Domain*

8.20012841
1.38

x = 5.942122036 miles

Length =

(32 8) - x

Length of Pipeline across private ground:

Length =

((24 - 5.942122036) + 15)

Length =

(551.0869566)

((24 -

Length = 23.47524135 miles

Angle at which optimal path leaves:

tan ( ) =

(24 5.942122036)
15

tan ( ) =

18.05787796
15

= tan(

18.05787796
)
15

= .877636419 rad
= .877636419(180/)
= 50.28486277
Cost of Optimal Route:
C(x) = 300,000 $/mile * (5.942122036 miles) + 390,000 $/mile *

((24 miles -

5.942122036 miles) + 15 miles)

C(x) = $1,782,636.611+ 390,000 $/mile *

(551.0869566 miles)

C(x) = $1,782,636.611+ 390,000 $/mile * 23.47524135 miles

C(x) = $1,782,636.611+ $9,155,344.128
C(x) = $10,937,980.74
Determining the cost function is the key to finding the optimal path for laying
the pipeline. When you have the cost function you are able to take its derivative and
set it equal to zero, which will give you critical points for the function. These points
may be maximums or minimums, and can be check by evaluating points on both
sides of the critical points, or evaluated using the generated graph. Once you have
the critical point which is a minimum, because you are looking to minimize costs,
you can figure out the other desired information.
To minimize costs the pipeline should leave the natural gas well at a 50.28
degree angle. This angle allows you to lay 23.48 miles of pipeline across private
ground, then 5.94 miles east to the refinery. Following these specifications will allow
the company to minimize costs. All of this is shown in the calculations above

D) Graph of Cost Function

Reflection:
Math 1210 is a very interesting class, it has been a great experience. It is
extremely clear how the topics learned in this class will translate to the rest of our
lives. Look at this project for example, we can take calculus and use it to solve many
different situations that one might encounter in a professional career. This project
allows each student to take what they have learned and try to apply it to an
uncommon problem. Every topic in this class can be used to solve real world
problems, you just have to look at it the right way. It is evident that this class will be
a great benefit to my educational and professional career. Using techniques learned
in this class will allow me to continue my education in mathematics, and solve
unique situations I might come across in my professional career. I look forward to
taking more math classes in the upcoming semesters and continuing to learn new
techniques for problem solving. I would highly recommend this class to any
individual, as well as the open style class room. It is really nice to be able to

study and teach yourself the information at any time with the information that
is provided then come to class and practice. All together the class has been an
amazing experience.