If you have any experience with Integrated Geomancy, you know that optimization is the name of its game. As of v3.2 of this application, it has added a whole new level to its game – that of casting.
No, it is not on the hunt for the next star actor of its feature film. (Well, it could be…but that is entirely up to it.)
Instead, it is basing its casting calls on Temporal Analysis, or Backcasting and Forecasting.
In previous iterations of the application, the Geomancy Decision Engine only approached Full Field Optimization as it relates to Standard Optimization and analysis. By Standard Optimization, I am referring to the straight-forward approach taken to determine the placement of assets. Technically, it still does these things. However, we have now included the ability to place assets based on time. Just consider this the closest you may get to a Time Machine outside of a Sci-Fi movie.
Why is Temporal Analysis Important?
Although both ourselves and our clients appreciate the straight and narrow approach offered by many of the tools in Integrated Geomancy, taking a time-based approach offers a few benefits that past endeavors have not.
First, determining the location of pipeline gathering systems and road alignments over time falls better in-line with approaches typically taken by planning teams. Knowing the overall view of the system is necessary for planning purposes. However, this overall view will often never be constructed all at the same time.
Being able to easily break this into phases takes pressure off the planning team to determine the best pieces of the puzzle with which to begin.
Second, we must consider the budget. I know, I know. It is obvious to everyone that a huge portion of the planning process is ensuring that development stays on budget, allotting for materials, permits, man power, snacks, etc. By casting the system during planning, it will be easier to determine which sections of the system will require the most investment – therefore, which sections may need to be better worked into the budget.
Last – but certainly not least – we all know that things in life do not always go as planned. This reason is one of the biggest benefits I, personally, see in Temporal Analysis. No matter if you are planning the construction of a new pipeline or your 21st birthday party, you need to have a back-up plan in case things do not go quite as expected. Thankfully, the flexibility of the Geomancy Decision Engine allows for multiple back-up plans. Even more grateful, Backcasting and Forecasting phase creation permits you to turn these back-up plans into actionable items.
Backcast vs Forecast
These tactics for Temporal Analysis are similar in their outcome, such as the placement of assets based on manageable phases, but much different in their approach.
Backcast to the Future
Approaching development via Backcasting is helpful for instances when the goal of the system is known in its entirety, but the planning team requires a way to break this development into manageable, efficient steps as not to go over budget. If the proposed layout and placement of the Pipeline Gathering System and Well Pad Sites is already known, then this methodology may be employed to accomplish such a feat.
In this technique, Integrated Geomancy focuses on the end-game – the future layout – and adjusts present development according to the target to be achieved. This process is flexible enough to further adjust to planning standards, allowing for phasing based on team-defined periods or on completion dates. Regardless of the basis for siting pipelines or roads, assets are corralled into manageable phases for development.
Forecast on the Horizon
In contrast to Backcasting, development via Forecasting is ideal when the final network placement has not yet been decided upon. With this approach, the planning team may leverage the proposed locations of Well Pad Sites to generate optimization phases. Similar to Backcasting, this process is also flexible in its methodology by allowing for phasing based on team-defined phases or completion dates.
Alternative: Stick to the Straight and Thorough
If your team wishes to forego Temporal Analysis, the options for Standard Optimization are also available. As mentioned previously – or familiar to you if you have used Integrated Geomancy in the past – these approaches simply build a network in its entirety without consideration for phases or timelines.
This method is ideal for providing an overview, honing settings and variables, and detailing options for decision making. What this method does not include is a timeline for development, as it is assumed that the user will break out on their own or employ the Temporal Analysis tools within the application to further this feat.
Integrated Geomancy is an Add-In for ArcGIS that enables Oil and Gas professionals to better plan the placement and routes of assets like Pipeline Gathering Systems, Transmission Pipelines, Well Pad Sites, Access Roads, and more. The toolkit takes a comprehensive approach to the planning process, allowing teams to build a model of the area in which construction will take place - incorporating data like elevation, environmental zones, populated areas, etc. More information and examples of the application in use can be found at www.geomancy.io.