NAICS 486990 Quarterly Industry Report
All Other Pipeline Transportation
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 486990Sector: 48Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry report for NAICS 486990 draws on specialty pipeline 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 486990 profile to support valuation professionals assessing specialty pipeline operators, CO2 transport companies, and industrial pipeline service providers. Our research team updates this content quarterly to reflect carbon capture developments and commodity pipeline trends.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the all other pipeline transportation industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
All Other Pipeline Transportation (NAICS 486990) encompasses establishments operating pipeline systems that transport commodities other than crude oil, natural gas, or refined petroleum products. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] uses this residual classification for pipelines carrying water, coal slurry, carbon dioxide, industrial chemicals, anhydrous ammonia, and other specialty commodities through dedicated pipeline infrastructure.
Carbon dioxide pipeline operations represent a growing segment, transporting CO2 from natural sources and industrial capture facilities to strengthen oil recovery injection sites and emerging carbon sequestration projects. Water pipelines move treated and raw water over long distances for municipal supply, agricultural irrigation, and industrial process use. Coal slurry pipelines, though limited in number, transport pulverized coal mixed with water from mine sites to power generation facilities. Chemical pipelines serve industrial corridors where dedicated lines connect manufacturing plants with feedstock suppliers and downstream processors.
Capital requirements vary widely by commodity and distance. CO2 pipelines require special metallurgy to prevent corrosion from carbonic acid formation. Water transmission mains demand large-diameter construction to maintain volume flow. Chemical pipelines need material compatibility engineering for each commodity carried. Regulatory oversight spans multiple agencies depending on the commodity, with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration covering hazardous liquid and gas pipelines while state agencies oversee water transmission systems. Operating staffs tend to be small relative to petroleum and natural gas systems, as many specialty pipelines serve point-to-point routes with limited branching complexity.
What's Included in This Industry
- Carbon dioxide pipeline transportation for enhanced oil recovery
- Water transmission pipeline operations for municipal supply
- Coal slurry pipeline transportation from mines to power plants
- Industrial chemical pipeline operations between manufacturing facilities
- Anhydrous ammonia pipeline systems for agricultural distribution
- Hydrogen pipeline transportation for industrial and energy use
- Brine pipeline operations for salt mining and disposal
- Oxygen and nitrogen pipeline service to industrial consumers
- Carbon capture and sequestration pipeline infrastructure
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Subsector | Pipeline Transportation | 486 |
| Industry Group | Other Pipeline Transportation | 4869 |
| NAICS Industry | All Other Pipeline Transportation | 48699 |
| National Industry | All Other Pipeline Transportation | 486990 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 486110 | Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | Crude oil pipeline transportation through systems dedicated to liquid petroleum, distinct from the non-petroleum commodities transported by 486990 pipelines |
| 486210 | Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | Natural gas pipeline systems operating under different pressure and material requirements than the specialty commodity pipelines classified under 486990 |
| 486910 | Pipeline Transportation of Refined Petroleum Products | Refined petroleum product pipelines handling finished fuels, while 486990 covers non-petroleum commodities including water, chemicals, and industrial gases |
| 221310 | Water Supply and Irrigation Systems | Water supply and irrigation systems providing treated water to consumers, overlapping with 486990 when pipeline transportation is the primary service rather than water treatment |
| 484230 | Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance | Specialized freight trucking providing tanker transport of chemicals and industrial gases as an alternative to pipeline delivery for smaller volumes |
| 488510 | Freight Transportation Arrangement | Freight transportation arrangement services coordinating commodity shipments through pipeline and alternative transport modes for industrial chemical producers |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 22.0% | 11 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 16.0% | 8 |
| 3 | Iowa | 12.0% | 6 |
| 4 | Florida | 8.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Kansas | 8.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Nebraska | 8.0% | 4 |
| 7 | Missouri | 8.0% | 4 |
| 8 | Indiana | 6.0% | 3 |
| 9 | California | 6.0% | 3 |
| 10 | Arkansas | 6.0% | 3 |
% Of Establishments
0%
22%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
32
Total SBA Loans
$3.7M
Total Loan Volume
$115K
Average Loan Size
9 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.44%
Average Interest Rate
88
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 486990 at $40.5 million in average annual receipts, measured over the preceding five completed fiscal years. Specialty pipeline operators serving niche commodity markets may qualify as small businesses under this revenue threshold. Eligible firms can access SBA 7(a) loans[8] for pipeline equipment, monitoring technology, and working capital. The SBA 504 loan program[9] supports compressor station construction and pipeline facility real estate. Federal contracting opportunities exist through water supply infrastructure projects and government facility utility connections.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northeast Bank | 16 | $2.2M | $137K |
| 2 | Stone Bank | 8 | $1.2M | $150K |
| 3 | The Huntington National Bank | 8 | $304K | $38K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 486990?
This residual code covers pipeline operators transporting commodities other than crude oil, natural gas, and refined petroleum. Examples include carbon dioxide pipeline companies serving strengthen oil recovery operations, water transmission pipeline operators, coal slurry systems, industrial chemical pipelines, and hydrogen transport infrastructure. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] places any non-petroleum, non-gas pipeline operation in this catch-all classification.
How are specialty pipelines different from petroleum and gas pipeline systems?
Specialty pipelines under 486990 require commodity-specific engineering for each substance transported. CO2 pipelines need corrosion-resistant materials. Water mains demand large-diameter construction for volume. Chemical pipelines require material compatibility with specific industrial compounds. Petroleum and gas systems under other 486 codes follow standardized industry specifications developed over decades for those specific commodities.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 486990?
The Small Business Administration sets the size standard at $40.5 million in average annual receipts over five years. This revenue-based threshold is the highest among pipeline categories, reflecting the diverse and often capital-intensive nature of specialty pipeline operations. Details are in the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are closely related to other pipeline transportation?
Related codes include 486110 for crude oil pipelines, 486210 for natural gas systems, 486910 for refined product pipelines, and 221310 for water supply systems. The commodity being transported determines the specific code, with 486990 serving as the residual for all pipeline commodities not covered by the three dedicated petroleum and gas classifications.
What industries are connected to specialty pipeline operations?
Connected industries include oil and gas producers using CO2 for strengthen recovery, municipal water utilities receiving long-distance pipeline supply, chemical manufacturers connected by dedicated industrial pipelines, and pipeline construction firms building specialty systems. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] tracks pipeline transportation employment across all commodity types within this sector.
What activities are included in NAICS 486990?
Included activities cover operating CO2 pipelines, water transmission mains, coal slurry systems, chemical pipeline networks, ammonia distribution lines, hydrogen pipelines, brine disposal systems, and industrial gas delivery infrastructure. Pipeline monitoring, integrity management, and right-of-way maintenance for these specialty systems also fall within this code. The U.S. Census Bureau[5] classifies all non-petroleum non-gas pipeline operations here.
Can specialty pipeline operators get SBA loans?
Companies under the $40.5 million revenue threshold can access SBA programs for pipeline infrastructure needs. The 7(a) program[8] supports specialty pipeline equipment, monitoring technology, and working capital. Many 504 program[9] finances compressor stations, pump facilities, and pipeline-related real estate. Carbon capture and water infrastructure operators may find these programs particularly relevant for system expansion.
Where are specialty pipelines concentrated in the United States?
CO2 pipelines concentrate in the Permian Basin and Rocky Mountain region where strengthen oil recovery operations are most active. Water transmission pipelines serve arid Western states including California, Arizona, and Colorado where long-distance water supply is essential. Chemical pipelines cluster along Gulf Coast industrial corridors in Texas and Louisiana. Hydrogen pipeline infrastructure is growing near Houston-area petrochemical complexes and in regions developing clean energy hydrogen hubs.
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
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