Integrating Underwater Data into GIS for Offshore Decommissioning in Bass Strait, Australia

Abstract

Through asset lifecycle, data is collected for a variety of purposes across multiple disciplines, and exists in various formats and repositories. Decommissioning projects utilize and repurpose a multitude of these datasets; from use in analysis and planning, to facilitating systematic environmental assessments, and meaningful discussion with stakeholders. The key challenge is how do we consolidate historical data, incorporate new data, and make it evergreen to support planning and informed decision making; and how do we coordinate large volumes of previously disparate data in a meaningful way for all users with a simple access model? A team of geographic information system (GIS) practitioners and subject matter contacts in technical and health, safety and environment (HSE) disciplines was convened to collect, sort, and compile known historical offshore data, including, but not limited to; pipeline and structural inspections and environmental studies, all captured via Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV), Side Scan Sonar (SSS), and sampling programs. Data was reformatted to standardize headers and attributes allowing for merging of existing like-data and to support new data integration. To this end, we also worked collaboratively with vendors to optimize data collection and improve alignment with our internal data structures. The Esri GIS technology was utilized for data integration, specifically the web and mobile environments. Through these environments, non-GIS users could easily access data and focused applications, supporting ease of data visualization and allowing for a single view of data spanning decades and covering multiple themes. This enabled an enhanced understanding of the offshore environment, allowing us to identify gaps and focus areas for future data capture, helping to facilitate cross-discipline discussions, and identification of operational synergies; improving access, efficiency, and reducing decommissioning costs. Data integration resulting from this initiative and delivery through a spatially aware GIS environment is providing unprecedented access to a vast scope of cross-disciplinary data previously not possible with more traditional engineering methods and data formats. Data accessibility aids communication, and when combined with early engagement across multi-disciplinary teams, the path to decision making is reduced, synergies gained, and costs are reduced through improved efficiency and optimization.