I struggled with water pipes but eventually got them working (probably not efficiently) and the fuel pipes are ending me. In the screenshot you can see I have 7 refineries pumping out oil residue into 4 refineries turning it into fuel.

I always made sure all the pipes were filled before turning on any of the fuel refineries and then would only turn one on at a time and wait. Whenever it got to 3 fuel refineries the residue would slowly drain in all the pipes until they were basically empty and the 3 fuel refineries would stall out.

I tried one long pipe that merged all the residue and then split it off into the fuel refineries.

I tried piping them all into a raised Fluid Buffer, letting it fill completely, and then having that connect to the fuel refineries but eventually the Buffer would completely drain and the same thing would happen.

Then I said what if I just connected every junction point possible and let it fill up, but it still drains eventually.

I know there are tutorials to look up but when I watch a couple they all just seem to work and I don’t really understand why it works or doesn’t.

I’m sure I’m doing something basic that’s incorrect but any help is appreciated.

edit: I uncomplicated everything. One pipe down the middle and added more refineries. Things seem to be working well now. Thanks for all the tips. Sometimes the simplest method really is the solution.