GIS is Key to Mega Rule Compliance
This past July 1st, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration implemented the “Mega” Rule to maximize pipeline safety.
Part I of the rule concerns construction materials, maximum operating pressures and pipeline testing and documentation procedures. Part II of the rule involves pipeline repair, leak detection systems and inspections in high consequence areas (HCAs), particularly after a natural disaster event such as a hurricane. Finally Part III of the rule gives PHMSA some power to address hazards and implore pipeline customers to “make better use of all available data to understand pipeline safety threats.”
We have provided land data and related services to the midstream market for decades, and have always found these customers to always emphasize safety as their number one priority, so the spirit is nothing new even if the regulators are just getting around to formalizing what has always been considered good business practices now.
GIS technology can drive compliance efforts for many parts of the Mega Rule. We feel that an accurate basemap, up-to-date parcels, and mapping technology to create an accurate GIS are key to complying with the letter and spirit of the Mega Rule. GIS is extremely good (and has its roots) in tasks such as site location and planning.
GIS Map of oil and gas pipelines, Andrews County, Texas with building footprints and contours. (Click to enlarge image.)
The last thing you want to be doing is loading and converting data during a stressful time, a due diligence period or a crisis. WhiteStar strives to support compliance with streaming data layers which can be immediately deployed to your GIS by specifying our custom URLs. These data layers include critical map features including land parcels with ownership, land survey data, wetlands, building footprints, and contour data. Using the WhiteStar Legal Mapper you can quickly and accurately map extremely complex metes and bounds rights of way.
Robert C. White, Jr.
President and CEO
WhiteStar Corporation
