Methods Used with GIS in the Construction, As-Builting and Data Management for Gas Gathering Lines in the Barnett Shale

This presentation describes the efficiency and savings inherent in the use of GIS from line list through right-of-way acquisition, alignment and construction of over 200 miles of new natural gas gathering lines in the highly urbanized Fort Worth, Texas Barnett Shale area. The work includes the collection, editing, updating and distribution of data via web-enabled GIS. It illustrates the handling of land records research, preparation of land surveys and exhibits for right-of-way acquisition. The project Owners have real-time access to the database at all times. Using a custom data dictionary the field personnel perform all topographic surveying for each route using GPS/GNSS and a Real-Time Network. This data along with the route stake-out and “as-builts” information is also databased in GIS. The information is used by the pipeline designers for their plans, alignment sheets and profiles and can be rolled into an enterprise GIS management system.

Speaker Biography

Jan Van Sickle has more than forty years of experience in GIS, GPS, surveying and mapping. He created and led the GIS department at Qwest Communications for the company’s 25,000-mile worldwide fiber optic network. He began working with GPS in the early 1980s when he supervised control work using the Macrometer, the first commercial GPS receiver. He assisted the supervision of the first GPS control survey of the Grand Canyon. He led the team that collected, processed and reported GPS ground control positions for more than 120 cities around the world for the ortho-rectification of satellite imagery now utilized in a global web utility. He has led nationwide seminars based on his three books, , and . The latter book is serialized in the magazine POB. His latest book will be Geomatic Engineering for McGraw Hill. He has been a featured speaker at many conferences including GITA conference and the Institute of Navigation (ION) Annual Meeting. He is a Senior Lecturer at Penn State University. He was formerly on the board of RM-ASPRS and was the vice-chairman of GIS in the Rockies. Jan earned his Ph.D. in GIS engineering from the University of Colorado. He is a licensed professional Land Surveyor in Colorado, California, Oregon, Texas and North Dakota.

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