Enbridge Gas Unifies Transmission and Distribution Models with ArcGIS Utility Network

Enbridge Gas (Enbridge), formerly Dominion Energy, supplies natural gas to over one million customers in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. The company operates an intermediate-high–pressure gas distribution system and a high-pressure (transmission) system.

The transmission and distribution assets were previously managed in two separate databases, employing the geometric network and the Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) data model.

Enbridge’s distribution and transmission data operated as two separate gas models. Without connectivity at the regulator stations, tracing from gate stations to meters could not be performed, and the utility also could not perform traces within its transmission environment.

To meet these challenges, Enbridge decided to merge the two databases. The merging initiative also aimed to increase data integrity, enhance the editing experience, streamline operations, support enterprise applications, and better support pipeline safety and compliance reporting.

Enbridge worked with UDC, an Esri partner who specializes in helping utilities and infrastructure companies navigate the complexities of data migration and configuration. Their expertise allowed Enbridge employees to prepare the utility’s data for the advanced functions of Esri’s network management system. Using its HEIDE tool and ArcGIS Pro Add-In toolkit, UDC supports migration with an automated, iterative approach. This approach aims to reach the maximum potential for refining the data and getting the most value from the utility’s existing data during and after migration.

Enbridge first migrated its IGIS and HGIS data into the Utility and Pipeline Data Model. Staff then implemented ArcGIS Utility Network—a configurable system that leverages ArcGIS Enterprise alongside ArcGIS Pro—and ArcGIS Pipeline Referencing for transmission. The combined enterprise model facilitates efficient gas workflow management, including tracing, analysis, and reporting of a connected pipe network for pipeline safety support.

The project began by identifying gaps between Esri functionality and Enbridge’s workflows and continued by developing application functionality prototypes. Four tiers of subnetworks were included: system, pressure, cathodic protection, and isolation.

Enbridge used automation and UDC tools for data migration and cleanup tasks over four iterative test migrations. Integration points were upgraded between the geographic information system (GIS) and customer information, work management, pipeline compliance, and right-of-way tracking documentation systems. Staff then implemented ArcGIS Workflow Manager to support GIS editing workflows for distribution and transmission.

Next, Enbridge staff developed custom tools and scripts to support existing workflows, such as posting versioned edits to default, nightly subnetwork updates, and a linear referencing system hierarchy for risk analysis. They also rebuilt legacy tools and upgraded them to include rate case analysis, business district leak survey management, dynamic segmentation for reporting, and a GPS mapping tool.

This initiative merged Enbridge’s gas transmission and distribution assets into one network management model, providing the basis for a holistic enterprise view of gas operations and greater visibility into compliance activities.

Migration to a connected data model and the standards enforced by Utility Network removed a large amount of duplicated service data. The subnetwork tiers’ single-source tracing, analysis, and automated data reporting capabilities help standardize the data modeling and provide the data quality required to support streamlined pipeline maintenance and safety management.

“Utility Network provides a stable platform that will support opportunities to configure business-specific applications, reports, and maps,” said Matt Bartol, PE, general manager of gas operations at Enbridge Gas. “Getting maps and data into the hands of our teams will empower them to make data-driven decisions to operate more safely, reliably, and efficiently.”

Based on the project’s success, Enbridge plans to share best practices and lessons learned with other business units involved in Utility Network transformation projects. Additionally, Enbridge expects that employing a common data schema across all business units will provide an opportunity to standardize reporting practices company-wide and derive efficiencies from shared toolsets and workflow methodologies.