GIS Least-Cost Route Modeling Of The Proposed Trans-Anatolian Pipeline In Western Turkey

The routing of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline plays an important role in the future energy security of the European Union. The natural gas pipeline is planned to run from the natural gas fields in the Caspian Sea through Turkey. This project is a case study for a Geographic Information System (GIS) least-cost route analysis of a section of the proposed pipeline in Western Turkey. The route analysis comprised of weighting multiple types of criteria in a compiled risk assessment map that was analyzed by a least-cost algorithm to display the least hazardous route through the study area. Multiple varieties of criteria were considered such as, lithology, slope of terrain, environmental and social risk factors, e.g. proximity to natural reserves and urban centers, to provide the least hazardous route through the region. The derived least cost paths were more efficient than the proposed route in the relative cost associated with each route

A Spatial Analysis of African Oil and Gas Infrastructure Security

Many countries and governments around the world rely on the production of oil and gas resources. The high cost of the assets and infrastructure used to produce these resources makes them a prime target for terrorist attack and theft. As a result, the security of oil and gas infrastructure is becoming exceedingly important. Both governments and private companies are interested in protecting the infrastructure used to extract, transport, and refine these resources in many places, including Africa. Geographic information systems (GIS) has the ability to assist with mapping infrastructure and assets, performing spatial analysis concerning areas of high-risk or vulnerability, and creating web-mapping systems that allow users to view and upload information as they acquire it. The end goal is to contribute to the protection of the oil and gas industry, and government’s dependent on this industry, from imminent and future threats

Innovative Approaches to 3D GIS Modeling for Volumetric and Geoprocessing Applications in Subsurface Infrastructures in a Virtual Immersive Environment

As subsurface features remain largely ‘out of sight, out of mind’, this has led to challenges when dealing with underground space and infrastructures and especially so for those working in GIS. Since subsurface infrastructure plays a major role in supporting the needs of modern society, groups such as city planners and utility companies and decision makers are looking for an ‘holistic’ approach where the sustainable use of underground space is as important as above ground space. For such planning and management, it is crucial to examine subsurface data in a form that is amenable to 3D mapping and that can be used for increasingly sophisticated 3D modeling. The subsurface referred to in this study focuses particularly on examples of both shallow and deep underground infrastructures. In the case of shallow underground infrastructures mostly two-dimensional maps are used in the management and planning of these features. Depth is a very critical component of underground infrastructures that is difficult to represent in a 2D map and for this reason these are best studied in three-dimensional space. In this research, the capability of 3D GIS technology and immersive geography are explored for the storage, management, analysis, and visualization of shallow and deep subsurface features

Role of Geoinformatics for Ghana oil and gas industry

The Geoinformatics Engineer (GE), who uses mathematical theory and precise measurements for the collection and distribution of geospatial data, plays a significant role in the oil and gas industry. The paper reviews the role the HE would play in t he recent oil and gas discovery in Ghana. This is because the GE is required in the planning and execution of nearly every form of activities at the upstream, midstream and downstream; for example offshore and onshore construction, exploration and engineering for the production and dissemination of oil and gas. Ghana is at the initial stages in the commercial production of oil and gas; and thus needs research institutions with excellent practical and research skills, such as the Department of Geomat ic Engineering (DGE), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana and School of Earth Sciences and Engineering (SESE), Hohai University, China, in employing Geoinformatics theories, applications and principles for geospatial decision making for sustainable production of oil and gas for Ghana and the Sub - Saharan Africa. SESE expertise in 3S Technology would greatly assist in the construction and monitoring of oil and gas infrastructures at the upstream, midstream and downstr eam. The pap er recommends useful suggestions for smooth management of the oil and gas industry focusing on GEs and research institutions

Potential sinks for geologic storage of carbon dioxide generated by power plants in North and South Carolina

Duke Energy Progress Energy Santee Cooper Power SCANA CorporationBureau of Economic Geolog

Finding alternative right of way using multi-criteria decision analysis based on least cost path: A case study of 20’’Anoh pipeline

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial TechnologiesA multi-criteria decision analysis was conducted using a geographic information system (GIS) coupled with analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods to evaluate and prioritize the pipeline project areas for Assa North Ohaji South. Alternative Right-of-Ways (ROWs) with two optimal routes were determined and compared with the existing ROWs. During the analysis, several criteria were considered to determine the least cost alternative ROW, including slope, geology, waterbodies, roads, land use, and land cover. The optimum route for connecting the source and destination was then determined. The LANDSAT 8 imageries of the study area were processed and classified into various land use and land cover types, which were then modeled using ArcMap 10.8 GIS software for routing analysis. It was used in the study to demonstrate the efficiency of MCDA LCP and AHP integration in generating optimum routes for the ANOH project. By avoiding steep slopes, built-up areas, and waterbodies, the optimal route avoided the limitations of the existing ROW. This route has a 22% reduction in length and will decrease construction costs, which is an indication of its efficiency

Enterprise GIS & Architecture

Enterprise GIS solutions are becoming more attractive to companies to implement because of the ability to leverage system of record portals. Information is largely regarded as a company’s competitive advantage enabling organizational capability to operate and build capital and equity within a business. And with good reason large amounts of data and information are difficult to collect and organize within a digital framework. Building a GIS enterprise is a solution for data organization and management. Workflows must be in place to collect, process, calculate, and store data with high regard to timeliness and accuracy. Business decisions are made based on information that a company has access to and thus reflects on the importance of database systems as a medium. How efficient a company organizes its information will easily set it apart from others in the competitive realm. Information is knowledge, and how a company can leverage it within an organization or across business assets, will impact how successful the company operates. Building a GIS enterprise on a central server infrastructure enables the expansion of GIS processes and services to both professional GIS users and non GIS users throughout an organization. This proposal is a framing document of why and how a GIS enterprise would be beneficial to implement within an organizations information technology framework environment

Site Characterization Data Model and GIS-based Tools for Offshore Engineering Projects

Offshore engineering projects require the management of a huge amount of heterogeneous georeferenced data - among others metocean, geophysical, geotechnical, and environmental, which need a Data Model, data visualization and data analytics features on a common geographic basis. A Digital Data Platform (DDP) has been developed on a GIS ambient with the aim to speed up the engineering design process (i.e. minimization of routine operations), and also prevent misalignment of the data originating from different sources from Owner to Suppliers and any potential loss of information. The proposed GIS architecture is composed by two main components: i) the Data Model geodatabase, and ii) the GIS-Model Toolbar add-in. The proposed development represents a step forward on the definition of a common specification and dictionary for offshore project execution overcoming the current bottlenecking and inefficiency on the design phases between the project owner and the engineering contractor. The paper illustrates “what” and “how”, and in particular: i) the geodatabase and Data Model framework, ii) the required parameters to be organized and stored for offshore engineering design, and iii) the widgets implementation (i.e. GIS-based tools). Its application on a case study project with practical examples is presented.

Suitability Analysis of Subsea Pipeline Route using GIS

The objective of this study is to analyze the least cost subsea pipeline route using GIS. A past project has been adopted in this research. The GIS-generated pipeline route is compared with the existing pipeline route designed using contemporary method. The subsea pipelines are used for hydrocarbon transportation from offshore platform to onshore plant. Criteria considered in least cost path are cost, pipeline routing criteria, installation method, safety and maintenance aspects. Factors affecting pipeline routing include bathymetry, submarine geographical features such as seabed conditions and slopes, obstructions such as coral reefs, wildlife preservation areas, as well as availability of existing services such as pipelines and platforms. Spatial Analyst extension in GIS is used to analyze all these factors through three basic steps and produce the best pipeline route through cost-weighted distance function. First step involves developing discrete cost surfaces in raster datasets from routing criteria datasets. Second step involves combining and weighing all discrete surfaces to create an accumulated cost surface. Third step involves developing least cost path between the source and destination along the accumulated cost surface. The result generated has shown similar alignment with the existing route. The GIS-generated route is 0.09km longer than the existing route. Although longer in length, the least cost route crosses less steep areas at length of three times more than the existing route. It crosses prawns' areas at 4% less than existing route as well. Therefore, the least cost path reduces the construction cost and increases the ease of construction as compared to the existing route. Hence, GIS-generated route satisfies the criteria of economical, least obstructions, safe and ease of construction in producing subsea pipeline route. Comparison between GIS method and contemporary pipeline routing method highlighted unique benefits of GIS that proved its feasibility in pipeline routing improvisation

Human and environmental exposure to hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta:A geospatial approach

This study undertook an integrated geospatial assessment of human and environmental exposure to oil pollution in the Niger Delta using primary and secondary spatial data. This thesis begins by presenting a clear rationale for the study of extensive oil pollution in the Niger Delta, followed by a critical literature review of the potential application of geospatial techniques for monitoring and managing the problem. Three analytical chapters report on the methodological developments and applications of geospatial techniques that contribute to achieving the aim of the study. Firstly, a quantitative assessment of human and environmental exposure to oil pollution in the Niger Delta was performed using a government spill database. This was carried out using Spatial Analysis along Networks (SANET), a geostatistical tool, since oil spills in the region tend to follow the linear patterns of the pipelines. Spatial data on pipelines, oil spills, population and land cover data were analysed in order to quantify the extent of human and environmental exposure to oil pollution. The major causes of spills and spatial factors potentially reinforcing reported causes were analysed. Results show extensive general exposure and sabotage as the leading cause of oil pollution in the Niger Delta. Secondly, a method of delineating the river network in the Niger Delta using Sentinel-1 SAR data was developed, as a basis for modelling potential flow of pollutants in the distributary pathways of the network. The cloud penetration capabilities of SAR sensing are particularly valuable for this application since the Niger Delta is notorious for cloud cover. Vector and raster-based river networks derived from Sentinel-1 were compared to alternative river map products including those from the USGS and ESA. This demonstrated the superiority of the Sentinel-1 derived river network, which was subsequently used in a flow routing analysis to demonstrate the potential for understanding oil spill dispersion. Thirdly, the study applied optical remote sensing for indirect detection and mapping of oil spill impacts on vegetation. Multi-temporal Landsat data was used to delineate the spill impact footprint of a notable 2008 oil spill incident in Ogoniland and population exposure was evaluated. The optical data was effective in impact area delineation, demonstrating extensive and long-lasting population exposure to oil pollution. Overall, this study has successfully assembled and produced relevant spatial and attribute data sets and applied integrated geostatistical analytical techniques to understand the distribution and impacts of oil spills in the Niger Delta. The study has revealed the extensive level of human and environmental exposure to hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta and introduced new methods that will be valuable fo