GIS systems have been employed globally since the early 1990s as this “new generation” of asset management tools utilising databases linked to mapping graphics emerged. Automation and integration continued to increase during the ‘90s and today’s GIS is typically more a spatial enterprise application engine which talks to many business systems to provide critical support for business processes by providing asset data, connectivity details, and complex query results to the business.

The value of a GIS is the access to, and analysis of, the data within it. GISs not only manage this spatial data but also provide a set of applications at different levels of the organisation for accessing and reporting it. They are no longer just an engineering tool for the planning and design of a network but are now critical systems for business planning, network operations and reliability centred network management.

For Agility, the GIS is a fundamental tool used for managing Agility’s client’s gas pipeline assets. Significant considerations in the management of these assets include;

  • Geographic location plays a key role in the performance of the asset;

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  • Asset and network planning and augmentation centres around geographic areas and is an important factor in planning and design;

  • Geographic areas of the network that are prone to particular types of fault or defect can be identified through thematic mapping. Examples are the identification of the number of faults of a particular type against location, locations that are prone to certain types of faults and locations of unauthorised access or digging; and,

  • Identifying the effect of geographic location on asset condition can be achieved by plotting asset condition against geographic location to identify for example, areas in which assets deteriorate faster.

Browser Based Mapping

Agility has installed a browser-based mapping and document management system that enables users to view both spatial and non-spatial data through a standard web browser.

The web browser is integrated with GIS to provide the functionality and toolkits that are required to store, query, analyse, view and share information on a geographical basis. This is performed by linking an Internet web browser to the GIS server. The key components of the browser include:

  • the provision of a toolkit for entering and manipulating geographic information;

  • a database management system; and,

  • tools that create intelligent digital maps that can be analysed, queried for information and printed.

The spatial information is used to manage the assets within a 600-metre corridor along the entire length of each gas transmission pipeline. Property details for the corridor are obtained from the Land and Property Index on a quarterly basis. This information, together with surveyed positioning of each pipeline and its associated facilities including easements, metering stations, main line valves and anode beds provide the foundation of the GIS. Subsequent layers of information can be added or archived as required.

The GIS maintains asset records and individual asset characteristics. The characteristics are selected from multi value characteristic libraries. A user is able to select lines, points or regions to access required information. The geographic display of themes, known as thematic maps, can be produced. This tool is used to emphasise differences in the data rather than show quantitative information. Typical examples include environmental data in a given area, zoning classifications in a given area and last landholder visit.

The application allows users to select the required layers to provide information to specific queries such as identifying data that was previously captured along a pipeline easement, identifying land parcel owner details and Dial Before You Dig enquiries.

Land Management System

Agility utilises a Land Management System to manage its pipeline operations in Queensland. The Land Management System is a component of the GIS and has been linked to individual properties dissected by each pipeline by property identifiers such as Lot and Plan number.

Landholder information such as easement documents, title searching, survey plans, file notes, photos and relevant correspondence are accessible via the Land Management System.

Agility is looking at acquiring further components to provide the ability to load a subset of data onto a laptop computer or palm pilot that is linked to a GPS unit. This will allow field staff to accurately locate and access information from the GIS and Land Information System in relation to any location along the pipeline corridor.

The ability to efficiently access information is invaluable in the case of emergency, to enable third parties to identify pipeline crossings, answering landowner inquiries or dealing with other utility providers and local governments.

Agility’s vision is to hold a totally integrated suite of business systems that provide key business tools for asset data management, maintenance management and operations management. The GIS is flexible enough to meet the changing competitive and regulatory environments without incurring exorbitant development costs and lengthy development times.

It is the combination of Agility’s infrastructure expertise and these integrated systems that enable Agility to provide a high level of asset management and asset operations services for gas, electricity, and water assets.