Data for a longer lifecycle

Natural gas pipelines are subject to strict regulations intended to maintain public safety. Ensuring compliance requires a large volume of survey data to support the integrity of the natural gas pipeline system, including a record of survey information for numerous features of every pipe segment and centimeter-level location accuracy. In contrast, pipelines for water or sewer require only a minimal amount of data to be collected, such as top-of-pipe elevation, to provide depth of cover and approximate geographic location.

During the installation of a new natural gas pipeline in northern Michigan (USA), surveying and engineering firm, Wade Trim, faced numerous surveying challenges to deliver the details required for installation. These large data sets required daily processing and network adjustments to create a precise GIS containing as-built pipeline data and orthometric aerial imagery of the pipeline corridor.

Integrating Trimble® Access™ Pipelines software into the process optimised the collection and combination of all survey data into the master project database to deliver the utility company’s required metadata of the pipeline system. Electronic access to the entire survey dataset using one application helped streamline tasks, monitor construction progress, verify the accurate position of each pipe segment, and validate completion of required work. Throughout the project, surveyors and construction team members had access to the database to answer questions and solve problems quickly. In the future, these comprehensive records will support maintenance efforts and extend the life of this major infrastructure investment.

Reduce risk with complete information

Natural gas pipeline accidents and failures can be catastrophic, so protecting the public and environment is paramount. Efforts to mitigate the risk of pipeline material or weld failures, as well as corrosion, have increased regulations, requiring more survey-related tasks during pipeline construction.

Survey as-built asset measurements reduce these risks by linking the recorded data to the associated location of underground pipeline assets, critical failure points, and construction information, usually within a few centimeters. To increase the reliability of the natural gas supply system that serves more than 51 000 customers in northwest Michigan, the US$109 million Traverse City-Alpena Reinforcement Project (TCARP) added a second natural gas pipeline.

Wade Trim was responsible for providing extensive survey construction staking and as-built measurements for 23 miles of natural gas pipeline and modifications for seven stations to comply with rigorous federal regulatory agency and utility company requirements.

“TCARP was a high-profile pipeline, and we wanted to be absolutely sure that everything went smoothly,” said Nick Grim, Vice President and Survey Area Lead, Wade Trim. “This project gave us an opportunity to learn more about the comprehensive capabilities of our Trimble Access Pipelines software and fully leverage the large amounts of data collected.”

Gain efficiency from detailed pipeline attribute inventory

Wade Trim performed pre-construction surveying, construction staking and as-built measurements of the TCARP natural gas pipeline. Construction staking included right-of-way, pipeline alignment and stationing, wetland limits, access roads, erosion control measures, existing pipeline infrastructure, and other utilities near the pipeline corridor.

Due to remote, hilly terrain and poor cellular service, survey signals from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) were not reliable to accurately calculate positions. Instead, 30 pairs of control points along the pipeline route were established for GNSS base station locations and checkpoints. Coordinates and elevations were derived by completing multiple rapid static GNSS baseline sessions using…

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/special-reports/28122023/data-for-a-longer-lifecycle/