There is a wide range of beneficial uses for GIS Mapping software in relation to the Oil and Gas industry. At the moment, the oil and gas sector powers 100% of all transportation and accounts for 2.5% of the world’s GDP. Most people in the oil and gas industry are well aware that the industry is strongly connected to geography. Oil exploration, pipeline construction and the environment are all features that are spatial in nature. Using GIS mapping software for the oil and gas sector is increasing at a rapid rate, as there is a huge variety of uses for it.

Through utilizing GIS Mapping software such as Paperless Trail's Business Mapper, the physical location of pipelines, wells and spatial data, can be stored, collected and visualized.  Non spatial data such as pipe materials, date of installation, and leases, can also be combined with spatial data for a clearer picture. This is also extremely useful for understanding when pipelines are in need of repair or maintenance. Definition queries can be performed with differentiate pipelines. You could also compare the amount of pipeline by type in specific locations.

Another key use of GIS Maps for the oil and gas sector is identifying terrain stability, resulting in the more effective monitoring of potential geohazards. This can help reduce the need to deploy staff, increase safety, and aid with the continuation of pipeline productivity. Areas of interest can also be monitored with satellites. Satellite imagery covers a much larger area than ground surveys.

Creating maps of multiple sites which can then be compared and analyzed, is another crucial use of GIS mapping for the oil and gas sector. You can also plan and find the fastest and most effective routes for service trucks.

As explained above, through utilizing the applications of GIS software in the oil and gas industry, you can greatly improve cost efficiency, deliver timely information, and make more efficient use of company resources. Clearly, there are many different techniques to applying a GIS solution for the oil and gas related sectors.

Pipeline construction, drilling, and environmental protection, are a few of the countless functions a GIS mapping solution can be used for.    

Top 10 Uses of GIS Mapping for Oil & Gas Sector:

1. Data index maps - enables oil company staff to see what data is available to them.
2. Block Ranking – Rapidly evaluate and grade oil and gas licenses or lease blocks.
3. Land Management – Map key lease info such as lessor names, expiry dates, working interests, overriding royalty, net revenue interest, and more.
4. Well Planning – plan well pad patterns and optimize drilling patterns to calculate the most efficient drilling configuration.
5. Field Operations – Gather on demand high resolution imagery across a field location in order to survey a site.
6. Environmental monitoring – Integrate and visualize time stamped data against a base lined case.
7. Pipeline routing – create ‘least cost path analysis’ through identifying route of least resistance between a source point and destination. (Based on effort required effort required to pass through cells in one or more cost raster datasheets, such as slope and land cover.
8. Vessel tracking – Track all valuable vehicle assets. This is essential for the timely delivery of goods and services. This is also efficient for emergency response.
9. Emergency response – Efficiently respond to emergencies with GIS maps such as oil spills and gas explosions. (leads to more effective decision making and improved public relations).
10. Pipeline Monitoring – Integrate GIS maps with digital video. (This is often required by using remote vehicles on the seabed, which enables engineers to see sections of pipeline and monitor hazards affecting the installation.   

(*Image credits to cproyalties.com)

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