Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) Next Generation Data Model

Abstract

The Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) Association develops and advances global pipeline data standards and best practices supporting data management and reporting for the oil and gas industry. This presentation provides an overview of the PODS Association and a detailed overview of the transformed PODS Pipeline Data Model resulting from the PODS Next Generation initiative. The PODS Association’s Next Generation, or Next Gen, initiative is focused on a complete re-design and modernization of the PODS Pipeline Data Model. The re-design of the PODS Pipeline Data Model is driven by PODS Association Strategy objectives as defined in its 2016–2019 Strategic Plan and reflects nearly 20 years of PODS Pipeline Data Model implementation experience and lessons learned. The Next Gen Data Model is designed to be the system of record for pipeline centerlines and pressurized containment assets for the safe transport of product, allowing pipeline operators to: • Achieve greater agility to build and extend the data model, • respond to new business requirements, • interoperate through standard data models and consistent application interface, • share data within and between organizations using well defined data exchange specifications, • optimize performance for management of bulk loading, reroute, inspection data and history. The presentation will introduce the Next Gen Data Model design principles, conceptual, logical and physical structures with a focus on transformational changes from prior versions of the Model. Support for multiple platforms including but not limited to Esri ArcGIS, open source GIS and relational database management systems will be described. Alignment with Esri’s ArcGIS Platform and ArcGIS for Pipeline Referencing (APR) will be a main topic of discussion along with how PODS Next Gen can be leveraged to benefit pipeline integrity, risk assessment, reporting and data maintenance. The end goal of a PODS implementation is a realization of data management efficiency, data transfer and exchange, to make the operation of a pipeline safer and most cost effective.