A pipeline system is a geospatial asset. Geospatial tools facilitate the management of such assets.
As a nearly-indispensable tool in risk assessment, a Geographic Information System (GIS) allows rapid inclusion of enormous amounts of location-specific information. A GIS includes a database and tools to move database information in and out of a spatial environment. As discussed here, concepts and terminology for risk assessment often come from the GIS world. For example, a centerline with measures is the recommended foundation for collecting, aligning, and managing data for a pipeline.
While a full discussion of GIS theory, platforms, and applications to risk assessment is far beyond what this site can provide, consider the following highlights:
- for data collection
- for data mgmt
- for calculations
- draindown
- hazard zones
- release dispersion
- AC induced corrosion
- sympathetic reactions
- etc
- for info display
- inputs and outputs of risk assessment
- heat maps
- alignment type sheets
- profiles
- etc
- open-source options
- tools to share
While the power of a GIS tool should not be understated, note that some will overestimate what can be done with graphical tools. In most instances, tabulated data, although not visually attractive, plays a big role in risk assessment and risk management. A rule of thumb is that tabulated data serves as a pathway to drill down to location-specific information where the graphical tools become more useful. See ‘Seduced by Graphics–the myth of risk management by images’.
Sample procedure for initial intersects of a pipeline centerline with public domain GIS data (shape files). See also discussion of data myths and data integration.