An economical operating policy is discussed to transport a given amount of gas through a gas pipeline system at minimum fuel consumption. The problem is formulated by dynamic programming technique. A procedure was developed to find the optimal number of running units, suction and discharge pressures, shaft speed for each booster (compressor) station. Special emphasis was laid on partial-load characteristics of turbines and compressors. The proposed method is applicable to on-line control of the entire gas pipeline system.