The pump systems (pump + driver) used in a pump station are selected based on the type of fluid or batch. The selection is of the more efficient pump systems for that batch. Less efficient pumps are avoided. When a new batch is detected, the selection is performed again for that new batch, which may result in a different combinations of pump systems for a given pump station. If variable speed pump drives are available, the efficiency at the desired speed is used for selection. The cost of energy (utilities) by pump station may alternatively or additionally be used to select the speed or combination of pump systems. The pump station and pipeline operation is optimized for efficiency of pump systems and/or cost of energy (utilities) for the different pump systems based on pipeline inventory and local utilities tariffs.