Dynamic Detailed Design Mapping for Pipeline Construction through GIS Technology using in-house developed toolbox: The TAP Case Study
Designing and managing Oil and Gas Pipelines is a complex process which is made easier through the use of GIS technology. One of the most valuable tools in Pipeline Construction is the preparation of reliable Alignment Sheets (ALS). As the engineering phases of the project progress, ALS are continuously revised incorporating new information, facilitating timely material procurement and construction. To have all the construction data in hardcopy at hand, a single ALS need to include five different maps: Plan view, Profile view, Crossing Database, Engineering Database and MTO Database. All five maps extract data from different regularly updated datasets. GIS based systems allow the integration, collection, revision and management of a huge variety of data to be imported as layers in ALS.
ASPROFOS has been engaged in all phases of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, from Environmental and Social Appraisal, to FEED local consultancy and construction permits acquisition in Greece and Albania, and finally Detailed Design. A huge amount of data available from previous phases of the project in addition to that derived as the Detailed Engineering progressed had to be incorporated. Data management included datasets of almost five years of collected data from Stakeholder Engagement, Environmental Baseline Studies, Social Sensitivities, Constraints, Cadastral, Crossing Details and Technical Specifications. The datasets had to be in an ESRI’s UPDM database.
A large scale project like this led ASPROFOS specialists to identify weak points during ALS preparation and fine-tune the existing procedure. A tailor made special tool – AFMapSync was developed in house in order to populate, synchronize and export ALS on the fly, something which considerably reduced man-hours and errors. As a result, ALS preparation and most importantly updating have been significantly simplified through the use of low cost add-on software developed with existing corporate resources and adjusted to specific project needs and customer requirements.
Asprofos Engineering is a Member of the Hellenic Petroleum Group of Companies and has over 30 years’ experience in providing Engineering Consultancy services to Oil and Gas market.
Do not hesitate to contact us for any further assistance or information regarding our services.
