Field Data Collection Using GIS Technology for the Management of Geohazards and Third-Party Damage Threats in the Pipeline Transportation System of Natural Gas (NG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)

Abstract

Abstract The Camisea Pipelines Transportation System (STD) owned by Transportadora de Gas del Peru (TGP) is operated and maintained by Compania Operadora de Gas del Amazonas (COGA). The system consists of two pipelines: a 730-kilometer long Natural Gas (NG) pipeline, which runs from the Upstream facilities in the Malvinas to the Receptor Station in Lurin (south of Lima), which has a loop in the area of Coast of 135 km in length and the Natural Gas Liquids pipeline (NGL) of 557 kilometers, which transports the condensed liquids from Malvinas to Pisco, on the coast of Peru. In the first 210 km, it crosses a complicated zone of the Peruvian Amazon, between the kilometric poste (KP) 210 and KP 420, the sector of the mountain range is defined and between the KP 420 and KP 730, the coastal sector is located. Due to the influence area and the project magnitude, solutions for many problems frequently require access to various types of information that can only be geographically related or by their spatial distribution. In this sense the Geographic Information Systems (GIS), provides the necessary tools to store and manage information using these references, thus allowing to analyze patterns of behavior, relationships and trends in information, all with the interest of contributing to the taking of better decisions. Likewise, given the complicated geography on which the project is developed, as well as the populations dynamic, the threats of geohazards and damages by third parties respectively, require evaluations and field data collection on a permanent basis, this also because it is about threats that are independent of time and that represent the highest percentage of failures for the South American pipelines. In this sense, data collection using GIS technology allows users, through the use of previously established forms, to capture field information, as well as the corresponding photographic record. Also, during the data collection, users have at their disposal on their mobile devices relevant information that allows a more objective spatial and temporal analysis of a specific place. This information is synchronized with the GIS database of the organization and used in the evaluation of risks to the integrity of the pipelines. This article describes the methodology for field data collection, using GIS technology, as well as the process of validation and publication of the data in the Geodatabase of the company and the benefits associated with having updated and available information to guarantee the best decision making.