Abstract
Geographic Information System (GIS) Solutions are a useful tool for assessing threats to pipeline systems and planning for emergency response activities. PPL Interstate Energy Company (PPL IEC) has acquired landbase data, organized existing pipeline data from a variety of paper-based and digital sources, and integrated these data sets using a straightforward GIS solution that leverages their existing technology investments. PPL IEC uses this system to manage pipeline data, produce alignment sheets, and provide pipeline mapping and data to the field for emergency response planning activities. The presenters will discuss the process used to acquire, organize, and integrate these data sets, how data are used to analyze threats and plan for emergencies, and other benefits of the resultant GIS.

Company Background
PPL Interstate Energy Company PPL Interstate Energy Company (PPL IEC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of PPL Corporation based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Interstate Energy Company pipeline was built in 1974 for the sole purpose of supplying economical fuel for electric power generation at power plants located in Pennsylvania and western New Jersey.

The pipeline transports No. 6 fuel oil, No. 2 fuel oil and natural gas to PPL’s Martins Creek Power Plant located on the western bank of the Delaware River. The 84-mile, 18-inch-diameter insulated pipeline starts at the Marcus Hook Pump Station adjacent to dock and storage facilities owned by Sun Oil Company, south of Philadelphia, and ends at the 1.9 million barrel oil storage terminal adjacent to the PPL Corporation power plant at Martins Creek, north of Easton, Pennsylvania.

Connected to PPL IEC’s 18” pipeline are the Gilbert Terminal and an 8” lateral pipeline which are owned by Reliant. The 380,000 barrel oil storage terminal is the receiving point for Reliant’s shipments of No. 2 fuel oil. The lateral runs east 10 miles from the terminal to Reliant’s generating station in Holland, New Jersey. PPL IEC operates and maintains the terminal and lateral under an agreement with Reliant.

Natural gas is delivered to the PPL Corporation power plant at Martins Creek. The 18” diameter pipeline is connected to Texas Eastern Transmission’s pipelines near Quakertown, Pennsylvania, and to Columbia Transmission’s pipeline near Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The administrative and maintenance center in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, is the headquarters for all operations and maintenance activity associated with the pipeline and terminals.

Prior Data and Methods

Data
For many years, PPL IEC has maintained alignment sheets in a CAD environment. These sheets contained landbase and pipeline data with enlarged aerial images acquired in the 1980s as backdrops. In addition, PPL IEC maintained separate Microsoft Excel files containing bends and foreign crossings. Right-of-way data existed in a separate Microsoft Access database. As a result, updates required time-consuming manual changes to each affected alignment sheet area.



Typical PPL IEC alignment sheet