The basic method: pipelines and pumps

To move oil from an oil well to your chemical plant, you need a pipeline connected to a pump. Place a pump on the ground next to your oil well, connect it to the well with a pipe segment, then run the pipeline toward your chemical plant. At the chemical plant end, connect the pipeline directly to the input port on the building.

Pumps are necessary because oil doesn't flow uphill or over long distances on its own — the pump pushes it through the pipe network. You can place pumps anywhere along a pipeline to boost pressure if the line is very long or if oil needs to move upward. Each pump requires 30 kilowatts of power, so make sure your electrical grid can handle it.

The pipe itself has a maximum throughput of 100 units per second. If you need more oil flowing, you'll need multiple parallel pipelines, each with its own pump. One pipeline can supply one chemical plant, but if you're building a larger facility, plan for multiple lines from the start.

Key Takeaways

  • Oil requires a pump to move through pipes — it won't flow on its own, especially uphill or over distance.
  • Connect the pump to the oil well, run pipe to your chemical plant, and connect the far end to the chemical plant's input port.
  • One pipeline handles one chemical plant; add more parallel pipelines if you need higher throughput.
  • Pumps consume 30 kilowatts each, so budget power for every pump in your network.
  • Underground pipes save space and look cleaner, but regular pipes work just as well and are cheaper to build.

Handling multiple chemical plants

If you're running several chemical plants at once, you have two options: run separate pipelines from the oil well to each plant, or use a single main pipeline with branch lines feeding individual plants. The branch method is more efficient with resources but requires careful pump placement to maintain pressure.

When you branch a pipeline, place a pump before each branch point to ensure all branches receive adequate flow. Without pumps at the splits, the oil will favor the path of least resistance and starve some plants. Test your setup by watching the pipe flow indicators — they show direction and relative fullness as small dots moving through the pipe.

Pumps, pressure, and flow direction

Pumps have a direction arrow showing which way they push oil. Make sure the arrow points toward your chemical plant, not back toward the well. You can rotate a pump before placing it, or rotate it after by selecting it and pressing R.

Pressure matters when oil needs to climb elevation or travel very far. A single pump can push oil about 15 tiles horizontally before pressure drops noticeably. For longer distances, add another pump halfway along the line. For uphill movement, you may need a pump for every 10 tiles of elevation gain, depending on how much oil you're moving.

Connecting the pipeline to the chemical plant

Chemical plants have two input ports and one output port. Oil goes into one of the input ports — it doesn't matter which one. The port will highlight in yellow when you hover over it with a pipe segment, showing you where the connection will attach.

Once the pipeline is connected, the chemical plant will begin processing oil as long as it has power and the recipe is set. You can see the recipe by clicking on the plant; make sure it's set to a recipe that uses oil (like advanced oil processing or cracking). If the plant isn't working, check that power is flowing and that the pipeline actually contains oil.

Troubleshooting low or no oil flow

If oil isn't reaching your chemical plant, first check that the pump is powered and oriented correctly. A pump with no power won't push anything. Look at the pump's direction arrow — it should point away from the well and toward the plant.

Next, verify the pipeline is actually connected at both ends. Hover over each connection point; it should highlight yellow and show a valid link. If a pipe segment is floating or not snapped to the well or plant, oil can't flow through it.

If oil is flowing but very slowly, you likely have a pressure problem. Add another pump in the middle of the line, or check for elevation changes that are slowing flow. Pipes that go uphill lose pressure faster than flat pipes, so a long uphill run may need multiple pumps spaced 10 tiles apart.

Underground pipes versus regular pipes

Underground pipes take up less visual space and let you route oil beneath your factory without it interfering with other structures. They cost slightly more resources (2 iron plates and 1 copper plate per segment instead of 1 iron plate) but are worth it for organization.

Regular pipes are cheaper and work identically in terms of flow and pressure. Use them when cost matters early in the game, or when you're building temporary setups. Underground pipes are better for permanent infrastructure where you want a clean layout.

You can mix both types freely — a pipeline can have regular segments in some places and underground segments in others. Pumps work with both and don't need to be underground.

Planning for future expansion

When you first set up oil transport, think about where your chemical plant might grow. If you're planning to add more plants later, run extra pipelines now rather than retrofitting them. Space is cheap early; rearranging a crowded factory is expensive.

Consider running a main pipeline with capped-off branch points where you might add plants later. This way you can add a pump and connect a new plant without rebuilding the entire system. Label your pumps with signs so you remember which line feeds which plant — this saves time when troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a pump if the chemical plant is right next to the oil well?

Yes. Even over short distances, oil won't flow without a pump. Place the pump directly on the well's output, connect a single pipe to the plant, and it will work. The pump is mandatory regardless of distance.

What happens if I connect oil to the wrong input port on the chemical plant?

It doesn't matter which input port you use — both work identically. The plant will accept oil from either one. If you're running multiple recipes, make sure each input gets the right fluid, but the physical port choice is yours.

Can I move oil without pipelines?

No. Oil must travel through pipes. You can't transport it by train, truck, or inserter. Pipelines are the only way to move fluids in Factorio.

How do I know if my pipeline is full or if oil is actually flowing?

Look at the pipe segments themselves. Small dots move through the pipes showing flow direction and speed. A pipe with no dots isn't flowing. You can also click on a pipe to see its contents in the tooltip — it shows how much fluid is in that segment.

What's the maximum distance I can run a pipeline without adding pumps?

Roughly 15 tiles horizontally on flat ground before pressure drops significantly. For longer runs or any uphill movement, add pumps every 10 to 15 tiles. Test your setup by watching flow — if it slows or stops, add another pump.