Application of GIS to pipeline industry

Introduces GIS database and three methods getting GIS data from maps, aerial photography, and satellite remote sensing and two cases successful applying GIS to pipeline industry. American's Northwest Natural Gas uses GIS in its work and makes most works automatic, including computer-aided leakage detection, pipeline network model analysis, emergency accident correspond and system planning. GIS has made the company's work environment more satisfactory than that of CAD age. Bechtel Company has es- tablished a computer model of minimum cost with GIS and satellite remote sensing in building crude oil transporting pipeline from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. Result shows when using route model established on GIS's ground coverage automatic distinguishing ability and ground coverage map generated from remote sensing satellite will reduce cost by 14% than building of a straight line between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.