The midstream oil and gas industry is the vital bridge between upstream exploration and production, and downstream refining and distribution. It handles oil and natural gas transportation and storage through extensive networks of pipelines, railway lines and storage facilities. However, this infrastructure faces risks from environmental hazards, land use changes, and potential geohazards, which could disrupt operations, increase costs, and endanger people and the environment.

This industry increasingly relies on cutting-edge geospatial data, including Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging), to mitigate these risks to provide highly accurate information about terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure conditions. And now, with the introduction of Prescient, managing and leveraging this wealth of data has never been more efficient or accessible.

Lidar: Enhancing Risk Mitigation Capabilities

Lidar technology has changed how the midstream oil and gas sector monitors and manages its vast infrastructure. Lidar sensors mounted on planes and UAVs capture detailed three-dimensional information about the earth’s surface, allowing midstream companies to create high-resolution digital terrain models. This data is invaluable for understanding the topography surrounding pipelines, storage facilities, and transport routes.

Here are some key ways Lidar helps the midstream industry manage risks:

• Pipeline Route Optimization: Lidar data can map out the best possible routes for pipelines, avoiding areas prone to landslides, flooding, or unstable terrain. By analyzing this data, companies can select paths that minimize environmental impact and reduce the risk of future infrastructure damage.
• Infrastructure Monitoring: Frequent captures of Lidar data allow companies to monitor their pipelines and facilities for any changes in the landscape, such as erosion, land subsidence, or vegetation encroachment. Early detection of these hazards helps prevent costly repairs or dangerous ruptures.
• Emergency Response and Recovery: In the event of a natural disaster, Lidar enables rapid assessments of damage to pipelines and infrastructure. High-resolution scans of affected areas allow companies to prioritize repairs, reducing downtime and minimizing financial loss.

However, while Lidar generates a massive amount of critical data, managing and making sense of this data can be a challenge. That’s where Prescient steps in.

Introducing Prescient: Optimizing Lidar Data Management

Prescient is a managed service designed to help midstream oil and gas companies optimize their use of Lidar data and its derivative products through modern cloud technologies. Built with a focus on scalability, security, and ease of use, Prescient provides the industry with a powerful platform for accessing, managing, and distributing large geospatial datasets when and where they need it.

Prescient enhances the industry’s ability to utilize Lidar data in the following ways effectively:

1. Data Organization with STAC Catalogs

Prescient leverages STAC (Spatial Temporal Asset Catalogues) to streamline the organization and retrieval of Lidar data. This allows midstream companies to easily search, manage, and access vast datasets across multiple projects and locations. Whether you’re assessing a pipeline corridor or monitoring a storage facility, STAC catalogs ensure that all relevant data is at your fingertips, reducing the time and effort spent on data management.

2. Data Dissemination with WMTS

The platform uses Web Map Tile Service (WMTS) technology to efficiently serve geospatial data in a tiled format. This improves the speed and responsiveness of data delivery, ensuring that field teams, engineers, and decision-makers all have access to real-time, high-resolution Lidar imagery and derivatives, when and wherever they are. WMTS enables seamless integration into existing commercial and open-source GIS platforms and applications, helping midstream companies react swiftly to any potential hazards.

3. Integrated Authentication and Security

One of the key benefits of Prescient is its ability to integrate with a company’s existing software licensing services to manage authentication. This ensures that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive geospatial data, providing an extra layer of security. This approach provides a high level of security without additional licensing required, reducing the risk of data breaches.

4. Cloud-Native Infrastructure for Cost Efficiency

Prescient is built on a cloud-native architecture, which eliminates the need for expensive physical storage infrastructure. This not only reduces the costs associated with managing and maintaining hardware but also makes data more accessible and scalable. Midstream companies can effortlessly store and retrieve Lidar data from anywhere, enabling smoother workflows and reducing reliance on local IT resources.

5. Enhanced Data Mobility and Collaboration

By enabling data mobility, Prescient allows teams across different departments and geographic locations to collaborate more effectively. Whether in the office or out in the field, stakeholders can access up-to-date Lidar data and make informed decisions in real-time. This enhanced mobility is crucial for responding to immediate risks.

6. Advanced Search and Analysis Capabilities

Prescient is equipped with advanced search functionalities, allowing users to quickly discover and visualize the specific Lidar data they need. This feature significantly enhances operational efficiency, especially in time-sensitive situations, such as emergency repairs or regulatory audits. By making data more discoverable, companies can unlock the full potential of their Lidar assets and apply insights where they matter most.

Conclusion: Empowering the Midstream Oil and Gas Industry

The midstream oil and gas industry faces significant challenges in managing risk, particularly as environmental regulations tighten and the need for infrastructure security grows. By integrating cutting-edge geospatial technologies like Lidar with advanced cloud-based solutions, Prescient empowers companies to make smarter, data-driven decisions and enhance their risk mitigation strategies.

With features like STAC-based data organization, WMTS for efficient data delivery, integrated authentication, and cloud-native infrastructure, Prescient simplifies and enhances the way midstream companies handle Lidar data. As a result, they can focus more on optimizing operations and less on the complexities of data management.

Prescient is more than just a data platform—it’s a gateway to a future of smarter, safer, and more efficient midstream oil and gas operations.