ACCESS NUMBER: 30895 

STUDY TITLE: Research, Compilation, and Digitization of Problematical and 

Uncontrolled Source Maps for the Louisiana Statewide Oil and Gas Pipeline Digital 

Database 

REPORT TITLE: Outer Continental Shelf pipelines Crossing the Louisiana Coastal 

Zone: A Geographic Information System Approach 

CONTRACT NUMBER: 1435-01-98-CA-30895 

SPONSORING OCS REGION: Gulf of Mexico 

APPLICABLE PLANNING AREA(S): Louisiana Coastal Zone, coastal waters, and OCS 

Area 

FISCAL YEAR (S) OF PROJECT FUNDING: 1998, 1999 

COMPLETION DATA OF REPORT: August 2002 

COST(S); FY 1998 $64,518; CUMULATIVE PROJECT COST $64,518 

PROJECT MANAGER (S): J. Snead, R.H. Peele 

AFFILIATION: Louisiana Geological Survey 

ADDRESS: 208 Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex - LSU, Baton Rouge, LA. 70803 

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S): J. Snead, R.H. Peele, W. Feng 

KEY WORDS: Northern Gulf, Louisiana Coastal Zone, pipeline, GIS, maps, 

georeference, OCS 

BACKGROUND: The Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS) had compiled over 1000 high 

quality, detailed pipeline maps into a Geographic Information System (GIS). Additional 

pipeline source maps had been collected, but contained inadequate geodetic control for 

digitization. These problematic and uncontrolled source maps required additional work 

to enable their use as accurate GIS sources. By assisting LGS in the compilation of this 

material, MMS gains the best digital pipeline data available in the Louisiana Coastal 

Zone (LCZ). MMS had a requirement to merge this data with their own OCS pipeline 

GIS data, identify OCS-originating pipelines that enter the Louisiana Coastal Zone, and 

identify their termini or LCZ exit point. 

OBJECTIVES: (1) To use lab and field methods to georeference the uncontrolled 

source maps possessed by LGS and to digitize them into the LGS Pipeline GIS. (2) to 

merge the Louisiana pipelines with the MMS OCS pipelines in a GIS environment. (3) 

to identify and trace the OCS originating pipelines to their termini within, or their exit 

point from, the Louisiana Coastal Zone. 
ACCESS NUMBER: 30895 

DESCRIPTION: The study area consists of the Louisiana Coastal Zone and the 

Louisiana OCS Area. The project has five major phases. (1) Evaluation of existing 

inadequate source maps and research to determine best methods of problem 

resolution. Some archival research and field investigation of suspicious pipelines was 

necessary. (2) Establishing spatial control (geo-referencing) for the existing 

uncontrolled source maps. Problems with detail level, map projections, edge-matching, 

and cartographic errors were corrected. (3) Digitization and GIS compilation of the 

pipeline map data. Both digitizing table and heads-up technology was used to enter 

spatial data. Attribute data was entered in a database (4) Merging the LGS data with 

MMS offshore data set. ArcInfo export file (.e00 format) obtained from MMS was 

combined and edgematched in a GIS (5) Identification of OCS originating pipeline 

termini. Each pipeline termini was characterized as to type tie-ins, receiving stations, 

compression stations, separation stations, gas plants, liquid processing stations, 

measurement and regulation stations, refineries and docking facilities. For those 

pipelines passing through the LCZ, their exit points are noted. 

SIGNIFICANT CONCLUSIONS: This collaborative project between MMS and LGS has 

resulted in considerable value added to each organization’s pipeline data, and thus 

significant enhancement of their routine, pipeline related activities. The OCS pipeline 

GIS data produced for this project is not a complete inventory of the OCS pipelines that 

pass through the Louisiana State waters, due to an incomplete collection of operator 

source maps. However, an efficient method for establishing a substantial OCS pipeline 

GIS for the Louisiana Coastal Zone has been completed. Additions to these data 

should prove to be even more efficient, now that this methodology has been 

established. For the Louisiana Geological Survey and Mineral Management Service of 

the U.S. Department of Interior to pool resources to produce compatible, public domain, 

pipeline data for both the State of Louisiana and the United States of America, has 

proven to be a mutually beneficial endeavor. 

STUDY RESULTS: Geospatial control was established for one hundred and eighteen 

(118) LGS in-house, operator supplied, source maps. Two hundred and fifteen (214) 

LGS in-house source maps, from fifteen (15) companies were digitized and compiled 

into the LGS digital pipeline system. These LGS pipeline data were merged with the 

MMS/OCS pipeline data to meet the MMS database definition and format specifications. 

All LGS and MMS pipeline linear features that do not enter the Outer Continental Shelf 

were deleted. For the purpose of edgematching at the State/Federal boundary, a total 

of thirty-one (31) LGS pipeline linear features were spatially adjusted. All edgematching 

adjustments were made under MMS advisement. 

The LGS pipeline attribute data, derived from one hundred and twenty-four (124) source 

maps, were populated into the database. All pipelines were traced from their origin in 

the OCS to terminus. 

One pipeline (1) crosses the Louisiana Coastal Zone; and exits by way of the 

Texas/Louisiana state boundary. One pipeline (1) crosses the Louisiana Coastal Zone 
ACCESS NUMBER: 30895 

and exits by the way of the Mississippi/Louisiana sate boundary. Four pipelines (4) 

enters the Louisiana Coastal Zone and terminates at a refinery. Fifteen pipelines (15) 

enter the Louisiana Coastal Zone and terminate at a tanker terminal. 

STUDY PRODUCT(S): Peele R.H., J. Snead, and W. Feng, 2002. Outer Continental 

Shelf Pipelines Crossing the Louisiana Coastal Zone: A Geographic Information System 

Approach. A final report for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management 

Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Metairie, LA. Cooperative Agreement No.1435-

01-98-CA-30895. 

Peele, R.H., W. Feng, and J. Snead, 2002. Outer Continental Shelf Pipelines Crossing 

the Louisiana Coastal Zone: A Geographic Information System CD-ROM. A CD-ROM 

containing the GIS data in both ArcView and ArcInfo formats for the U.S. Department of 

the Interior, Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, Metairie, LA 

Cooperative Agreement No. 1435-01-98-CA-30895.