2 Spatial Data and Spatial Data Management

Spatial data, data that includes geography, is one of the most undervalued assets owned by a pipeline operator. It is easy for an organization to assess the value of a valve or a pump station, or to measure the contribution of an employee. While these physical asset calculations are straight forward, assessing the value of spatial data is more complicated (1) (2).

Data is expensive to generate, analyze, report, and store. While this may be perceived as an initial obstacle, it is really a very powerful investment. Once data is available and integrated into workflows, companies can see its real worth. Good data reduces the risks associated with every decision and helps a company make better, more educated choices.