EXPLORATION • DRILLING • FIELD SERVICES OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
TRACK & TRACE
TECHNOLOGY N
atural gas utility companies install thousands of kilometres of pipeline each year and have found that keeping a digital database of their
buried pipeline assets is crucial for renewal, maintenance and emergency needs. Te data collection of pipeline assets requires speed, accuracy and the capability of field technicians to capture pipeline information that, in many cases, exists within sites that have challenging conditions. Te process of gathering this site information and the creation of a digital asset database assists natural gas utility operators with their utility processes and pipeline asset management. Tis information can easily be shared with other utilities and public agencies if necessary, to locate pipes accurately and quickly in the field. With close to 35 years of expertise
working with natural gas utility companies,
Stephanie Michaud introduces a unique approach to gas pipeline field asset collection using GIS and GNSS solutions
one of the most progressive US engineering and geographic information system (GIS) firms, Suburban Consulting Engineers (SCE), has successfully developed and implemented a new field data collection approach called “Enhanced GIS Data Collection.” Tis approach uses highly sophisticated equipment to customise a GIS-centric database for clients, which promotes the safety and compliance of pipeline operations. With the complete ‘Mega Rule’ (49
CFR Part 192) from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) on the horizon for adoption,
A Trimble TDC600
handheld data collector
natural gas utility operators are now being required to enhance their daily operations to include tracking and traceability of all installed pipeline assets, with a strong recommendation to capture GNSS coordinates.
Gathering data from a weld stencil 26
www.engineerlive.com
IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION Te SCE Enhanced GIS Data Collection process uses both Esri GIS and Trimble GNSS technologies to support the detailed asset data collection. Understanding the value of record maintenance and the growing regulatory requirements, many operators have found this process seamless and valuable to validate the high-volume of information collected on installed pipelines, both above and below the ground. Once a pipeline route has been identified and all required permits and approvals are received by the operator, pipe materials are delivered to the site and construction begins. Typical construction sites incorporate a variety of contractors, field engineers and technicians, inspectors and company employees who play various roles and responsibilities including fabricating, reporting, and capturing imperative data. SCE’s Enhanced GIS Data Collection process starts with SCE’s field
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
