NAICS 486910 Quarterly Industry Report
Pipeline Transportation of Refined Patroleum Products
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 486910Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry report for NAICS 486910 draws on refined product transportation data from the U.S. Census Bureau[5], employment statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and small business benchmarks from the Small Business Administration[7]. Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 486910 profile to support valuation professionals assessing refined product pipeline companies and midstream petroleum distribution businesses. Our research team updates this content quarterly to reflect tariff changes and product flow patterns.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the pipeline transportation of refined patroleum products industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products (NAICS 486910) encompasses establishments operating pipeline systems that transport finished petroleum products from refineries to bulk distribution terminals and storage facilities. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies these operations separately from crude oil pipelines because refined products require different handling protocols, including batch sequencing to prevent cross-contamination between gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other product grades.
Refined product pipelines form the primary distribution link between the nation's refining centers, concentrated along the Gulf Coast, and consuming markets in the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast. Colonial Pipeline and other major systems transport millions of barrels daily through networks spanning thousands of miles. Tariff rates per barrel transported provide the core revenue stream, with rates subject to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission indexing for interstate systems. Shippers schedule batches of specific products that travel sequentially through the pipeline, separated by physical interfaces or transmix zones that are later reprocessed.
Operating requirements include maintaining product quality through contamination control, managing complex batch scheduling across multiple shippers, and operating pump stations that maintain flow rates across elevation changes and long distances. Pipeline operators employ control room technicians, field maintenance workers, measurement specialists, and corrosion engineers. Safety compliance with Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration standards requires regular integrity assessments, leak detection monitoring, and emergency response readiness along every pipeline mile.
What's Included in This Industry
- Interstate refined product pipeline operations for gasoline and diesel
- Jet fuel pipeline delivery to airport fuel farm systems
- Heating oil and kerosene pipeline transportation
- Pipeline batch scheduling and product sequencing management
- Pump station operations for refined product pipeline systems
- Product quality testing and contamination prevention programs
- Transmix processing and interface management between product batches
- SCADA monitoring of refined product pipeline flows and pressures
- Terminal delivery pipeline connections at bulk distribution points
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Pipeline Transportation | 486 |
| Industry Group | Other Pipeline Transportation | 4869 |
| NAICS Industry | Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products | 48691 |
| National Industry | Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products | 486910 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 486110 | Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | Crude oil pipeline transportation moving unrefined petroleum to refineries, while 486910 handles the finished products flowing from refineries to distribution terminals |
| 486210 | Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | Natural gas pipeline systems transporting gaseous fuel through pressurized compressor-driven networks, distinct from the liquid refined products moved by 486910 systems |
| 486990 | All Other Pipeline Transportation | All other pipeline transportation for commodities like water and chemicals, using different pipeline specifications than the refined petroleum product systems of 486910 |
| 484230 | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | Specialized long-distance tanker trucking providing refined product delivery to retail stations and end users beyond the reach of pipeline distribution terminals |
| 493110 | General Warehousing and Storage | General warehousing and storage including petroleum product tank farms that receive deliveries from refined product pipelines for regional distribution |
| 488510 | Freight Transportation Arrangement | Freight transportation arrangement services that coordinate petroleum product logistics and scheduling between refineries, pipeline systems, and bulk terminal operators across distribution regions |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 24.8% | 162 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 5.3% | 35 |
| 3 | California | 5.2% | 34 |
| 4 | Kansas | 3.8% | 25 |
| 5 | New York | 3.7% | 24 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 3.4% | 22 |
| 7 | Georgia | 3.2% | 21 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 3.1% | 20 |
| 9 | Illinois | 3.1% | 20 |
| 10 | Ohio | 2.8% | 18 |
% Of Establishments
0%
25%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
16
Total SBA Loans
$2.9M
Total Loan Volume
$180K
Average Loan Size
10 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.50%
Average Interest Rate
56
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The Small Business Administration[7] sets the size standard for NAICS 486910 at 1,500 employees, using an employee-based threshold similar to crude oil pipeline operations. This standard reflects the capital intensity and specialized infrastructure requirements of refined product pipeline systems. Smaller regional pipeline operators may qualify as small businesses under this threshold. Eligible firms can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for pipeline equipment and measurement technology investments. The SBA 504 loan program[9] supports pump station and terminal facility construction.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 16 | $2.9M | $180K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 486910?
This classification covers companies that operate pipelines transporting finished petroleum products including gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, heating oil, and other refined liquids from refineries to distribution terminals. Both large interstate systems and smaller regional product pipelines fall under this code. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] distinguishes these from crude oil pipelines based on the refined nature of the commodity being transported.
How are refined product pipelines different from crude oil pipelines?
Refined product pipelines under 486910 transport multiple finished fuels in sequential batches through the same line, requiring contamination prevention between gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel grades. Crude oil pipelines under 486110 typically carry a single commodity or blended crude stream without batch separation concerns. Product quality testing at delivery points and transmix management are unique operational challenges for refined product systems.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 486910?
The Small Business Administration uses an employee-based size standard of 1,500 employees for refined product pipeline operations. Companies with fewer than 1,500 workers qualify as small businesses regardless of revenue. This standard matches the crude oil pipeline threshold and is published in the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are closely related to refined product pipelines?
Related codes include 486110 for crude oil pipelines, 486210 for natural gas pipelines, 486990 for other pipeline commodities, 484230 for tanker trucking, and 493110 for storage terminals. Refined product pipelines connect the refining sector with the distribution infrastructure that delivers fuel to consumers.
What industries are connected to refined product pipeline operations?
Connected industries include petroleum refineries that produce the transported products, bulk terminal operators that receive pipeline deliveries, tanker trucking companies providing last-mile delivery, pipeline construction contractors building new segments, and retail gasoline station chains that consume the delivered fuel. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] tracks pipeline transportation as a distinct employment category within the energy distribution sector.
What activities are included in NAICS 486910?
Included activities cover operating refined product trunk pipelines, managing batch scheduling for multiple fuel grades, running pump stations, testing product quality at delivery points, processing transmix from batch interfaces, monitoring pipeline integrity through SCADA systems, and maintaining right-of-way corridors. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies all pipeline operations dedicated to transporting refined petroleum products.
Can refined product pipeline operators get SBA loans?
Companies with fewer than 1,500 employees can access SBA financing for pipeline infrastructure needs. The 7(a) program[8] supports measurement equipment, SCADA technology, and working capital. Most 504 program[9] finances pump station construction and terminal connection real estate. These programs benefit smaller regional product pipeline operators and terminal service companies.
Where are refined product pipelines concentrated in the United States?
Major refined product pipeline corridors run from Gulf Coast refineries northward through the Southeast and up the Atlantic seaboard. Colonial Pipeline, the largest refined product system, connects Houston-area refineries with markets as far as New York Harbor. Midwest product pipelines distribute fuel from Chicago-area and Great Lakes refineries. West Coast systems serve California, Oregon, and Washington from California refining centers.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [8]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [9]SBA 504 loan program sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standards table sba.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.