This work presents an optimisation framework for the routing and equipment design of main pipelines to be used for fluid transmission. There are many considerations in these design problems, involving various constraints, decisions and the associated costs for the construction, operation, maintenance, etc., of the system. In practice, engineers rely on experience, try out various design alternatives, and use simulators for engineering calculations, cost models, geographical information systems and equipment databases to identify promising options. The present approach proposes a systematic search for optimal and near-optimal solutions. The search is based on stochastic optimisation, and assumes that the same information and simulation tools as in the case of design by trial and error are available. An application example is used to demonstrate the approach and test the robustness of the optimal search using Simulated Annealing. (C) 2012 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.