Pipeline route selection uses information technology to balance land, environmental and engineering concerns
Pipeline route planning relies heavily on information technology, including desktop systems that use satellite imagery and other data to do the initial planning. Planning pipeline routes also involves mobile technology using GPS systems. Problems occur when the expected conditions based on desktop data do not match up with what has been discovered on the ground. This article talks about how information technology can support the three main aspects of pipeline route planning, including “land” issues that involve finding the route with the fewest problems; “environmental” issues that involve balancing permitting costs and the time needed to achieve permitting, and “engineering” issues, which focus on what’s possible, and the costs and timing of each option.
