Providing field-to-finish geospatial strategies for safe pipeline construction

Midstream Energy Solutions - Pipeline Integrity Dig Program

Since 2014, our Geospatial team has been working with a midstream energy client to transform how they survey and document pipeline excavation sites across Canada. We have helped empower contractors to dig and repair pipelines safely and efficiently. That means understanding how heavy machinery will access the site, what obstacles contractors face, and what agreements are needed to cross private or Crown land.

From the rugged terrain of British Columbia to the remote stretches of Eastern Canada, our crews are on the ground collecting critical site-specific data. This data includes everything from topography and drainage to buried utilities and surface impediments. Using Trimble global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology and geographic information systems (GIS) based data dictionaries, our team delivers high-accuracy results while capturing rich attribute information.

But the work doesn’t stop in the field. We integrate each dataset into a centralized project geodatabase, which we drafted using custom GIS templates and symbology. The result is a plan package tailored for land access negotiations, crossing approvals, and construction planning.

One of the standout achievements of the program has been our development of a field-to-finish strategy that brought 3D visualization to life. By scripting calculations that derived utility centerlines from surface depth measurements, our team has enabled full 3D viewing of both above- and below-ground features. This has allowed us to enhance quality control and streamline data processing and plan drafting.

With more than 500 dig sites under our belt, we’ve built a reputation for precision, innovation, and client-focused delivery. We export each completed plan to a master client geodatabase, creating a living archive of accessible, reusable data. This approach provides ongoing efficiencies for our client, reducing duplication and accelerating future project timelines.