These pellets consist of liquid centers inside super-viscous membranes, and a gas bubble injected in the center of each pellet makes them buoyant as well. Gates’ team can make these pellets in different sizes using about the same amount of energy required to render the bitumen liquid for pipeline shipping. Once they arrive at their destination, the pellets can be reconstituted back into bitumen using a light oil produced during the pellet-creation process. Best Animated Videos is the art of using Motion Graphics / Animation to depict or communicate a message to highlight examples and suggestions. Pipelines are far cheaper, but only once they’re installed, and that process is a major investment. A pipeline also represents a significant environmental risk for all the lands along its route the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) was leaking oil even before it was operational.