Streamlining front end engineering design for a pipeline using geospatial intelligence

NEBC Connector Geospatial Program

The proposed NEBC Connector Project will enhance transportation of natural gas liquids and condensate from northeastern British Columbia (BC) to northwestern Alberta. The design includes two parallel pipelines extending from a highway corridor in BC into Alberta. Our client reached out to us to help plan these pipelines across jurisdictional boundaries while integrating highly variable geospatial inputs and maintain a single source of truth for multidisciplinary teams and key party engagement.

To support planning and decision-making, our Geospatial team consolidated all pre-front end engineering design (FEED) information—internal and external—into a centralized, current project dataset accessible through a secure geographic information systems (GIS) portal. We compiled base layers—terrain, land use, land tenure, roads, railways, watercourses, utilities, environmentally sensitive areas and route crossings—from government sources, then overlaid specialized inputs from pipeline engineering, environmental, archaeological, and land teams.

Using GIS tools, we calibrated the route alignments, assigned distance marker posts, and produced a master crossing list for pipeline engineers. We deployed spatial analysis to delineate proposed rights-of-way and temporary workspace to inform construction planning and implemented version management to keep pace with evolving design data. Our team also completed a class location assessment along the proposed route using a script that applies a linear referencing system approach within ESRI’s ArcGIS spatial analysis tools to implement the techniques outlined in CSA Z662—a foundational Canadian standard governing oil and gas pipeline systems to guide safety and regulatory compliance across the lifecycle of pieplines.

Utility routing at the FEED stage draws on data from varied sources and mixed spatial quality. Successful integration requires a deep understanding of data limitations, collection methods, and fit-for-use decisions. Our geomatics engineers are guiding future data acquisition requirements and managing change as datasets advance from planning through construction to as-built and operations.

Engagement began early with Indigenous communities, landowners, and other relevant parties, and final construction is expected by 2027.