The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) in managing pipeline database and automating routine engineering processes has become a standard practice in the pipeline industry. While maintaining a central database provides security, integrity, and easy management of data throughout the pipeline’s lifecycle, GIS enables spatial analysis of pipeline data in addition to streamlining access and visualization of results. One of the major benefits of GIS integration lies in the ease of automating the alignment sheet generation for pipelines. This paper introduces a simplified pipeline alignment sheet generation workflow using GIS datasets to produce highly customizable alignment sheets in AutoCAD, a much-preferred format in the pipeline industry. By utilizing existing GIS and AutoCAD features to generate the alignment sheet, writing complicated geo-processing or plotting algorithms is minimized, which in turn reduces the risks of committing any systematic errors. This robust and user-friendly workflow not only ensures safety but also leads to a cost-effective solution.

Development of web based GIS application often requires high cost on base map datasets and software licenses. Web based GIS Pipeline Data Management Application can be developed using the benefit of Google Maps datasets combined with available local spatial datasets resulting comprehensive spatial information. Sharp Map is an easy-to-use mapping library for use in web and desktop applications. It provides access and enables spatial querying to many types of GIS data. The engine is written in C# and based on the .Net 2.0 frameworks and provides advantages for integration with Pipeline Data Model such as PODS using .NET technology. Sharp Map enables development of WMS and web services for serving pipeline data management information on internet/intranet web based application. Open Layers is use to integrate pipelines data model and Google Maps dataset on single map display with user friendly and dynamic user interfaces. The use of Sharp Map and Open Layers creating powerful Pipeline Data Management web based GIS application by combining specific information from pipelines data model and comprehensive Google Maps satellites datasets without publishing private information from local datasets. The combination on Sharp Map, Open Layers, Google Maps datasets, and .NET technology resulting a low cost and powerful Pipeline Data Management web based GIS solution. Impact zone of the event then we can calculate their consequences and finally we can figure their risk.

The up-to-date and true information is one of the most important items of a business, mainly when this business acts in international markets due to the participation of international Companies. TRANSPETRO, integral subsidiary of PETROBRAS, is the Brazilian operator for the great majority of pipelines of petroleum and natural gas in Brazil, built among the years of 1951 and 2001. Fifty years of pipeline history are registered in the most different formats and media ways. This situation generated difficulties to access the information and consequently it provoked the occurrence of lacks of information. The most serious problems were observed in the moment of retrieving the information about the location of the old pipelines when the implantations of new ones are required or in the case of an emergency intervention. Investments of US$ 15 million (2001/2002) were accomplished by mapping (orthophotos), detailed drawings with as-built status and profiles, installed equipment (valves etc), geodesic network with high precision points with GPS coordinates (Global Positioning System), new register of land-owners of the right-of-way, users and operators training, data distribution in the Company network (Intranet) in GIS format — Geographical Information System, formed an alliance with the WEB Mapping. For the execution of the activities several technologies were used, including airborne sensors (laser scanning and aerial photos). Now, a database with high degree of precision can be accessed by the users with images of high definition, to verify information of the installed equipment and to do the planning of amplifications of the system or maintenance, resulting in larger operational reliability of the pipelines.

Trans Mountain Pipe Line Company Ltd. (TMPL) owns and operates an 1146 km NPS 24 low vapor pressure petroleum products pipeline between Edmonton, Alberta and Burnaby, British Columbia. In 1998 TMPL retained BGC Engineering Inc. (BGC) to start a three-phase geotechnical and hydrotechnical hazard assessment of the right of way (ROW) from Hinton, Alberta to Kamloops, British Columbia. As part of this work GroundControl was asked to develop an electronic database with which to capture the information generated by BGC during the hazard assessment work. This paper describes the development and evolution of the database application that accompanied the study to quantitatively assess and prioritize the geotechnical and hydrotechnical hazard potential along the pipeline. This paper describes how the database provides TMPL employees across British Columbia and Alberta access to the current results of the hazard assessment plus supporting information such as multi-temporal images and internal and 3rd party reports about the pipeline. The purpose of the database and the unique architecture and functionality that accommodates ongoing monitoring and inspections of slopes and stream crossings is provided. Database security, access, and information sharing unique to TMPL are also described. Benefits and costs of the application plus technical and business challenges overcome by TMPL, BGC, and GroundControl are discussed. Recommendations from TMPL and GroundControl for similar information management initiatives are provided and future work is described. This paper is targeted to pipeline managers who are looking for economical, practical, and innovative information management solutions for managing their natural hazards.