G.I.S. and Data Conversion

Database screens

At Meridian, we provide services to all sectors that require GIS services – from urban planning to resource planning and management. Whether you require custom maps for presentations or large-scale data information management, our knowledgeable and highly qualified staff can meet your GIS needs. Using leading edge technology and state of the art equipment, we have completed projects, throughout North America, for major pipelines, gas and oil exploration, sea ice tracking, wildlife and natural resources management support, topographic and cartographic mapping, and geographic image analysis.

With the use of ESRI and CAD packages, such as AutoCAD and Microstation, we can provide accurate and detailed topologically structured data for Geographic Information Systems use.

We are also equipped to provide GIS consulting, cadastral mapping, scan digitizing, thematic mapping, data conversion, data integration and data maintenance.

Meridian can provide hardcopy and digital colour products and can transfer digital data to and from clients in a number of different spatial data exchange formats.

GIS data conversion projects

Pipeline GIS data conversion

Meridian Surveys Ltd. has been very active, over the past eight years, in the conversion of pipeline data into Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

As large pipeline companies have switched over to GIS systems to help manage their large pipeline systems, a need has arisen for older existing pipeline data to be converted into GIS data. The existing pipeline data varies from old paper pipeline alignment sheets, fabrication drawings and bill of materials, to a mixture of hard copy plans, spreadsheets and even ISAT and PODS databases.

The GIS consists of two parts
An accurate geo-referenced and controlled pipe centerline.

This is created by traversing in the pipe centerline into a known coordinate system such as UTM, using as-built surveys data, survey control points, legal plans and high resolution satellite imagery. The pipe centerline must have control points at the bends and known crossings to hold chainage values at those spatial locations.

Pipe attributes in a database
The attribute data is captured from hard copy drawings, field notes, spreadsheets, digital drawings and databases and re-formatted into the client's specific GIS database tables.

  • BENDS
  • WEIGHTS
  • CAD_WELD
  • CASING
  • COATING
  • CONCRETE COATING
  • CROSSINGS
  • DEPTH_OF_COVER
  • FITTINGS
  • GIRTH_WELDS
  • PIPE CHARACTERISTICS (O.D., WT, GRADE, MANUFACTURER ETC.)
  • REPAIRS
  • VALVES
  • TEST STATIONS
  • FACILITY SITES
  • CATHODIC PROTECTION (GROUNDBEDS, RECIFIERS, ANODES)
Project experience

Meridian Surveys has completed numerous pipeline conversion projects for companies such as TransCanada Pipelines and Pembina totaling over 42,000 kilometres. The following are some of the major pipeline conversion projects.

MERIDIAN SURVEYS
PIPELINE CONVERSION PROJECTS
PROJECT PIPE SIZE CLIENT Kms YEAR
Great Lakes Gas Transmission NPS 36 TransCanada 3403.0 2008
ANR Pipeline NPS 36 & 30 TransCanada 5400.0 2008
Judy Creek to Edmonton NPS 16 Pembina 186.0 2008
Northern Border Pipeline NPS 42, 36, 30 & 20 TransCanada 2252.0 2007
Judy Creek to Namao NPS 16 Pembina 178.0 2007
Dunvegan to JC Junction NPS 8 Pembina 277.0 2006
Dunvegan to JC Junction NPS 12 Pembina 277.0 2006
Taylor to Belloy NPS 10 Pembina 273.1 2006
GTN NPS 42, 36, 16 & 12 TransCanada 2300.0 2005
North Baja Pipeline NPS 36 & 30 TransCanada 129.0 2005
Portland Natural Gas (PNGTS) NPS 24, 12 & 8 TransCanada 302.3 2004-2005
Tucarora Pipeline NPS 20, 16, 12, 6 & 4 TransCanada 489.9 2004
Simmons Pipeline System NPS 16, 14, 10 & 6 TransCanada 377.8 2004
Trans-Quebec Maritimes Pipeline NPS 30, 24, 20, 16, 10, 8, 6 TransCanada 574.0 2003
TransCanada East GIS Conversion NPS 48, 36, 30 & 24 TransCanada 24000.0 2002
Alliance Pipeline NPS 36 & 30 Alliance 2300.0 2000-2001
  42,700 Kilometres
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