Precise documentation of gas pipelines

Rarely visible but nevertheless highly efficient – these are the pipeline logistics of the Ruhrgas AG, the majority of which are underground. It is these pipelines that transport the 50 billion m³ of natural gas per year from the production plants to the consumers. The Ruhrgas pipeline system is approx. 11,000 kilometres in length, long enough to rival the entire German motorway network. It is extremely important for the experts to know precisely where these pipelines, some of which are over thirty years old, are located, so that they can perform smooth maintenance and quick repair procedures. Ruhrgas AG uses the con terra software system GISPAD in the field for measurements associated with this network, in combination with a satellite measurement system that operates in real time. GISPAD is an extremely powerful system for the mobile collection and ongoing recording of complex geometric and field data using a pen computer.

The first stage of documentation involves locating the pipelines by geophysical means and subjecting them to centimetre-precise, three-dimensional measurement with the aid of Ruhrgas's own satellite reference service, ascos. A special GISPAD application was developed to supply basic data to the user in the field and completely support the process of data collection, recording and quality assurance. The application also permits the correction and georeferencing of object plans in the field. The required pass points are derived in real time by satellite measurement. A further component optimises the control of the DGPS receiver in association with ascos correction data. By optimising the functions for recording geometric objects, the workload was decreased significantly. The exchange of the data obtained in the field with the central GIS of the Ruhrgas AG is conducted via a GeoMedia interface.

Technical Environment:
GISPAD, GeoMedia, Delphi, C++, DGPS, ascos