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Pipeline capacity is flow area times velocity, converted to barrels per day. Design velocity is limited at the top by erosion and pressure drop — typically 3 to 8 ft/s for liquids — and at the bottom by the need to keep water and solids entrained rather than settling in low points.
Pipeline capacity
Q (bbl/d) = flow area (ft2) x velocity (ft/s) x 86,400 / 5.6146
Pressure drop rises with the square of velocity, so pumping cost escalates, and erosion-corrosion accelerates where solids or water are present, particularly at bends and fittings.
Below about 3 ft/s water can settle at low points and cause under-deposit corrosion, and wax or sand can accumulate. Batch pigging is used where low velocity is unavoidable.