This study introduces the concept of the potential for the formation of methane hydrates and determines this potential for methane as it is transported by pipelines. The balances of energy and momentum are simultaneously solved to estimate the pressure and temperature profiles along the pipeline, including the calculation of the thermodynamic states of the flow. This profile calculation also includes the pressure of incipient hydrate formation and the potential defined as the difference between the pressure of the system and the formation pressure. Methane has been selected as a case of study because of its high concentration within gas and oil reservoirs. The proposed methodology recognized the need for an inhibitor of hydrate formation as well as for locating possible points for it s injection along the pipeline.