CROSS-COUNTRY PIPELINE ROUTE SELECTION

By: Geoff Price

MGIS CAPSTONE PROPOSAL

Mitigating “Costs” for Early Concept Development

June 22, 2009Advisor: Dr. Todd Bacastow

Overview2

• Problem Statement• Old Way, New Way• Route Influences• Least-Cost Path• Model Builder• Inserting Real Cost• Research• Q & A

Problem 3

Select alignment alternatives for optimal cross-country pipeline construction that meet project requirements.

Summarize alignment alternatives to facilitate real dollar cost estimation for early concept development (+/- 50%)

How Much?

Where?&

Old Problem, Old Solution4

The Manual Method Small Scale Paper Maps (USGS, DOE, State

Regulatory Dept, etc…) Hand Delineation Terrain Evaluation from Aerial Photographs

Old Problem, New Solution5

The GIS Method Digital Maps Spatial Database (retrieval & storage) Data Manipulation Data Conversion Raster Analysis (Map Algebra, LCP, etc.)

Used properly, GIS methods are faster, more efficient, more

comprehensive, and less expensive than traditional methods.

Route Influences6

What is Least-Cost Path?7

LEAST-COST PATHCOST SURFACE LEAST-COST SURFACE(VECTOR)

LEAST-COST PATH(VECTOR)

Land Cover

+ =

COST SURFACE COST SURFACE LEAST-COST Surface

Land Cover Terrain-Slope

Cost-Weighted Surface8

LEAST-COST/WEIGHTED

Terrain-Slope

* .60 =

* .40 =

Land Cover

+ =

Influence

LCP & Model Builder9

LEAST COST PATH

LCP Results10

Inserting Dollar Costs11

GIS Cost Estimating Manual

Cost Estimating Manual

Productivity Factors General Economy Project Supervision Labor Conditions Equipment Weather

Terrain Factor Terrain-Slope

Geology Factor Rock Type

12

GF

Cost Estimating Manual cont…

13

Summarize Construction Activities

Research14

What are pipeline route selection rules of thumb? (i.e., Engineering, Biophysical, & Socioeconomic).

Is there a favorable standard to apply relative “costs” to individual layers? (i.e.., 1,2,3,4 -OR- 1,3,6,9 -OR- other).

Identify a process for determining costs & weights. (i.e., Delphi Method, Analytical Hierarchy Process, etc…)

Identify benchmark candidate(s) for calibrating LCP and inserting real cost.

Using Cost Estimating Manual For Pipelines to quantify labor/equipment estimates and develop a +/-50% cost estimate for route alternatives.

Research Time Line15

Aug/Sept

QUESTIONS?

References:17

Delavar, M.R., 2003, Pipeline Routing Using Geospatial Information System Analysis,

ScanGIS'2003 - The 9th Scandinavian Research Conference on Geographical Information Science,

4-6 June 2003, Espoo, Finland – Proceedings, pp. 203-213.

Mollard, J.D., Penner, Lyncen., Zimmer, Troy., 2008, Pipeline Geo-Environmental Design and Geohazard Management. Chapter 2 Pipeline Route Selection pp. 5-69

Page, S. John, Cost Estimating Manual for Pipelines and Marine Structures, 3rd Ed. 2000. Section 1, pp 1-65.