Managing the construction of gas pipelines with PIX4Dcloud

Linear Projects Inspection & Monitoring (Lpim) is a specialized Geomatics service provider based in Bogotá, Colombia. Lpim has a team of 10 skilled professionals specializing in inspection and monitoring, using drones and advanced mapping software such as Pix4D. Lpim’s core expertise lies in working with gas pipelines, oil pipelines, polyducts, and electrical transmission networks.

Pix4D solutions for construction

With drones, smartphone scanning application PIX4Dcatch, and processing software PIX4Dcloud, LPIM aimed to demonstrate how modern digital construction methods could improve a project’s accuracy and efficiency compared to traditional methods. By supplementing drone data collection with terrestrial data from PIX4Dcatch, LPIM captured high-precision ground measurements and close-up site details that enhanced the overall dataset. This approach contributed to significant time savings, cost reduction, and improved data accuracy. The project in question involved successfully managing the changes in protective coatings for gas pipelines.

Advantages of 3D mapping for construction

• Monitoring progress with documented records (such as images, measurements, and detailed comments)
• The creation of a detailed project timeline, allowing for periodic comparisons to ensure adherence to schedules
• Identifying and managing safety risks by providing a comprehensive view of the construction site, enabling preventive measures

Drone mapping with PIX4Dcloud provided LPIM a comprehensive view of construction progress, enabling precise risk identification and georeferenced measurements at every stage. This digital approach improved communication, reduced errors, and enhanced data quality, while visual documentation streamlined monitoring and decision-making for greater efficiency throughout the project.

Modernizing workflows: the benefits of digital construction

One of the primary hurdles of the project was convincing stakeholders of the necessity to modernize their workflow. This involved demonstrating how these innovative methods could complement, improve, and eventually replace traditional approaches.

One of the key advantages of using Pix4D software is its friendly data volume management, allowing users to easily acquire and process geospatial data. With access to information from a shareable URL, PIX4Dcloud ensures that project teams can monitor and manage their work efficiently, regardless of location.

Project details

Digital construction success

When considering software options, Pix4D stood out for its ease of use, stability, and reliable support. No other software was considered for this project, as Pix4D's capabilities made it the ideal choice for managing geospatial data and visualizing work progress in a straightforward, graphical manner.

The project's success highlighted the potential of this innovative approach in the Oil & Gas industry, showcasing how drones and photogrammetry software like PIX4Dcloud can improve construction monitoring. By reducing cost overruns and project delays, the digital workflow increased credibility and attracted more clients, laying the foundation for a new way of managing construction projects.

“Using Pix4D to monitor and control gas pipelines provided numerous advantages, including the ability to perform detailed and safe inspections along the right of way (RDV), which helped to significantly improve intelligent and safe supervision and management. Pix4D allowed for the simple and quick generation of precise 2D and 3D models of the terrain and the intervened gas pipelines, as well as precise measurements, and comparison of the work in real-time and in different periods (Timeline tool). This facilitated detailed supervision and integration with all stakeholders" - Luis Polanco, Smart Projects Manager