2011 GIS for Oil & Gas Call for Presentations

Abstract Submissions Will Be Accepted Until May 6

Aurora, Colo., April 25, 2011—The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA)’s Call for Presentations is now open for its 20th Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Pipeline Conference, and the submission deadline is May 6, 2011. The conference is set for October 24-27, 2011 at the Marriott Westchase Hotel in Houston, TX.

This conference specifically tailored for those in the oil and gas pipeline industry is one-of-a-kind, with the exhibit hall traditionally selling out months in advance. The exhibit floor for 2011 can be viewed at http://www.gitaservices.org/exhibits/houston2011/index.php?p=Floor.

This year’s program topic themes for the Call for Presentations are designed to let presenters customize their papers even more than before, focusing on many up and coming topics in the oil and gas pipeline industry. The eight topics are:

1. Regulations
How are organizations reinterpreting existing regulations and utilizing GIS to continue to meet and exceed compliance practices related to communications, data content, data quality, data verification and data management in the wake of recent developments?

2. Risk Management
Increasingly, geospatial technology is being used to support new practices in risk assessment, and to identify ways of mitigating exposure, minimizing risk and maintaining compliance.

3. Data Governance
Data governance is an emerging discipline that combines modern digital data management with the best practices of business process management. Organizations are increasingly utilizing data governance methods in GIS to minimize data defects, reduce data cycle times, and exercise positive control over management of change.

4. Integrity Management for Pipeline
Utilizing geospatial technology and emerging practices to maintain compliance and support integrated office and field based integrity activities.

5. Data Integration
GIS allows the combination of disparate geospatial and tabular data sets in different integrity management disciplines with the end goal of providing users a holistic view of the combined data. This integration allows for further analysis and better understanding than each of the data sets can provide on their own.

6. Applications of Emerging Technology
Technologies and solutions currently used in the geospatial community were once new or emerging ideas; geospatial solutions just crossing our industry’s horizon offer significant promise. Organizations are leveraging new methods and realizing greater value by addressing new challenges with proven solutions.

7. Emergency Preparedness and Response
Utilization of GIS in emergency response and the determination of tactical response locations are paramount in incident response. Knowing how to incorporate these GIS tools can make a significant difference in your plan development and simulation exercises.

8. Stakeholder Outreach
Effective communication with stakeholders (public officials, emergency responders, landowners, excavators, etc.) is an increasingly important part of a pipeline company’s business. Overcoming the challenges of communicating the right information to the right people is crucial.

Submit your presentation before May 6, Noon MST at http://gita.org/events/Oil_Gas/11/OG-11-CFP-form-submit.asp. For more information on the 20th Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Pipeline Conference, visit www.gita.org/oilgas.

About GITA
The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is the professional association and leading advocate for anyone using geospatial technology to help operate, maintain, and protect the infrastructure, which includes organizations such as utilities, telecommunication companies, and the public sector. Through industry leading conferences—along with research initiatives, chapters, membership, and other programs—GITA provides education and professional best practices. www.gita.org