SoCalGas Facing Natural Disaster With Technology

Esri Industries

13 May 201905:42

Summary

TLDRThe video highlights SoCalGas, the largest gas utility in the U.S., and its use of ArcGIS Enterprise to manage over 100,000 miles of gas pipelines. In 2017, during the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides in California, SoCalGas deployed a GIS team on-site to assist in disaster recovery. With a centralized digital platform, the company quickly integrated data from multiple sources, allowing crews to restore gas services safely and efficiently within 28 days. The GIS system enabled faster decision-making, preventing further disasters and ensuring the safety of affected communities.

Takeaways

📍 SoCal Gas, based in Los Angeles, is the largest gas utility in the U.S., serving six million accounts and managing over 100,000 miles of pipeline.
🔥 In December 2017, the Thomas fire became California's largest wildfire since the 1930s, causing significant damage in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
🌧️ Following the fire, torrential rains led to devastating mudslides in Montecito, impacting over 500 structures and resulting in 21 confirmed deaths.
⚠️ SoCalGas recognized the risk of mudslides unearthing gas lines, which could lead to leaks, fires, or explosions, and responded promptly to the crisis.
👥 The company's new leadership decided that having a GIS team on-site during emergencies would be invaluable for response efforts.
🗺️ SoCalGas uses ESRI ArcGIS Enterprise to maintain and monitor its pipeline system, which was crucial during the Montecito disaster response.
💾 The single platform system of ArcGIS Enterprise allows for seamless data integration across departments, enhancing decision-making and operational efficiency.
📈 The use of ArcGIS Enterprise enabled rapid digitization of paper maps and integration of real-time data, streamlining the recovery process after the mudslides.
🏠 Service was restored to all Montecito residents in just 28 days, a significant improvement in response time compared to past incidents.
🛡️ The GIS platform's ability to visualize asset locations relative to damage areas was key to the successful and safe resolution of the crisis.
💤 The enterprise GIS approach provides peace of mind for SoCalGas, ensuring quick access to critical information without the need for manual searches.

Q & A

What is SoCal Gas and what services does it provide?
-SoCal Gas is the largest gas utility in the country, serving six million accounts. It includes major production facilities, refineries, electric generation plants, as well as providing natural gas for homes, businesses, and restaurants.
What is the significance of the 100,000 miles of pipeline in SoCal Gas's operations?
-The 100,000 miles of pipeline are crucial for delivering natural gas under high pressure to various customers, including homes, businesses, and restaurants. These pipelines are part of the infrastructure that SoCal Gas maintains and monitors daily for safety.
What was the challenge faced by SoCal Gas during the Thomas fire in December 2017?
-During the Thomas fire, SoCal Gas faced the challenge of potential unearthing of gas lines due to mudslides, which could lead to gas leaks, fires, or explosions. The fire was the largest in modern California history and caused significant damage in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
How did SoCal Gas respond to the critical disruption caused by the Thomas fire and subsequent mudslides?
-SoCal Gas responded by setting up an on-site incident command post and working closely with first responders. They used their GIS team to help restore service and ensure safety, leveraging the ESRI ArcGIS platform for efficient operations.
What role did the GIS team play during the Montecito mudslide incident?
-The GIS team was invaluable during the Montecito mudslide incident. They were on site to provide real-time data and insights, which helped in securing damaged gas lines and rerouting pathways quickly and efficiently.
How does the ArcGIS Enterprise system benefit SoCal Gas's operations?
-ArcGIS Enterprise allows SoCal Gas to have a single platform system where all data, including supply chains, compliance data, and customer information, is stored digitally and easily accessible. This facilitates seamless data integration across departments and enhances decision-making.
What advantages does having an enterprise GIS platform provide to SoCal Gas?
-An enterprise GIS platform provides the advantage of integrating various departmental information onto one platform, allowing for better data management, running models, generating reports, and making informed decisions for customers.
How did the use of ArcGIS Enterprise impact the recovery effort at Montecito?
-The use of ArcGIS Enterprise allowed for remarkable efficiency in the recovery effort. Paper maps were digitized, and data from multiple agencies were integrated on one map, enabling crews to reach the most affected structures and people quickly.
What was the outcome of the Montecito recovery effort in terms of service restoration?
-Service was restored to all residents in Montecito in just 28 days, which was much quicker than in the past. This was achieved through the effective use of GIS technology and coordination among various response teams.
How does the use of GIS technology contribute to safety and peace of mind for SoCal Gas?
-GIS technology contributes to safety by providing a visual interpretation of assets and damage, enabling quick and informed decisions. It also gives peace of mind by offering a single, easily accessible source of information, reducing the need to chase down data manually.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 The Largest Gas Utility and Its Challenges

The first paragraph introduces SoCal Gas, the largest gas utility in the U.S., serving over six million accounts. It operates critical infrastructure, including refineries, electric plants, and residential services. With over 100,000 miles of natural gas pipelines, safety is their top priority. The employees rely on ArcGIS Enterprise to maintain, inspect, and monitor the pipeline system, but the system was tested during a major disaster in 2017.

05:01

🌲 Devastating Wildfires and Mudslides

The second paragraph describes the Thomas Fire, which in December 2017 became California’s largest wildfire in modern history. It destroyed land and communities in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The scorched terrain later led to devastating mudslides, particularly in Montecito. These mudslides caused widespread destruction, damaging over 500 structures and resulting in 21 deaths within a few hours. SoCal Gas had to act quickly to prevent further gas line hazards.

🚨 Quick Response and GIS Team Deployment

SoCal Gas realized the threat posed by the mudslides to their gas lines and acted swiftly. The company established an incident command post on-site, which included their GIS team, marking the first time GIS had been deployed directly in such a crisis. By seeing the devastation firsthand, the GIS team was more motivated and effective in responding. The team’s efforts were crucial to restoring service and ensuring safety, using the ArcGIS platform to manage the response.

🗺️ The Benefits of a Unified GIS System

The ArcGIS Enterprise system played a key role in SoCal Gas’s response. The paragraph emphasizes how having a single, integrated system made data seamless, connecting everything from supply chains to compliance data. With all the information on one map, SoCal Gas could efficiently manage both distribution and transmission systems. The unified platform allowed departments to securely access data and make informed decisions, improving their overall efficiency.

💻 Leveraging GIS for Efficient Disaster Recovery

ArcGIS Enterprise proved invaluable during the Montecito recovery. Local emergency responders’ paper maps were digitized and integrated into the system, adding critical information such as road closures and property damage. With this data, SoCal Gas could quickly assess the damage and repair gas lines, rerouting crews more effectively. The mapping system helped visualize the locations of assets relative to the destruction, enabling a quicker and safer recovery.

😌 Peace of Mind Through Technology

The final paragraph highlights the reassurance that comes from using GIS Enterprise. The system allows SoCal Gas to access vital information rapidly, eliminating the need to search for physical documents stored in distant locations. The mobile and networked nature of the system provides a sense of security, as all relevant data is readily available, enabling faster responses and reducing stress during crises.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡SoCalGas

SoCalGas, short for Southern California Gas Company, is the largest gas utility in the U.S. with over six million accounts. It manages natural gas distribution for homes, businesses, and industrial facilities in California. In the video, SoCalGas is presented as a key player in handling critical infrastructure during the 2017 wildfires and mudslides in California, emphasizing their responsibility in maintaining safety during natural disasters.

💡ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Enterprise is a geographic information system (GIS) platform used to store, manage, and analyze geographic data. In the video, SoCalGas relies on this system to monitor and maintain its gas pipeline infrastructure. The platform allows for real-time decision-making by integrating data from various departments into a single system, streamlining response efforts during emergencies like the Montecito mudslides.

💡Wildfires

The video discusses the December 2017 Thomas Fire, one of the largest wildfires in modern California history, which affected Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Wildfires are a major natural disaster, causing damage to infrastructure, including gas lines. The theme of the video focuses on SoCalGas's ability to respond quickly and effectively to such disasters, using GIS technology to manage risk.

💡Montecito Mudslides

Montecito Mudslides occurred after torrential rains hit the scorched land following the Thomas Fire, causing massive destruction. These mudslides led to significant damage to property and loss of life. SoCalGas's quick response to these mudslides, with the help of GIS technology, is highlighted as a crucial part of restoring safety and preventing further gas-related disasters.

💡Pipeline System

SoCalGas's pipeline system consists of over 100,000 miles of gas pipelines that deliver natural gas to various facilities. The video emphasizes the daily risk involved in maintaining this infrastructure, especially under high pressure, and how GIS technology helps monitor and ensure the safety of this system, particularly in times of natural disasters.

💡Safety

Safety is portrayed as the core value of SoCalGas, especially in managing their gas infrastructure during high-risk situations such as wildfires and mudslides. The video shows how the company prioritizes safety by using advanced technology, like ArcGIS Enterprise, to monitor pipelines and respond rapidly to potential gas leaks or disruptions caused by natural disasters.

💡Incident Command Post

The Incident Command Post is a physical location set up by SoCalGas during the Montecito mudslide disaster to coordinate their response. The on-site GIS team worked closely with first responders to assess damage, secure gas lines, and ensure public safety. The video highlights the importance of having real-time access to geographic data at such posts to enhance response efficiency.

💡Single Platform System

A single platform system refers to SoCalGas's use of ArcGIS Enterprise to integrate all relevant data—ranging from supply chains to compliance—into one platform. This system simplifies the management of information, making it easier for different departments to collaborate and access critical data during emergencies, as illustrated in their response to the Montecito mudslides.

💡Geographic Data

Geographic data refers to any information that is linked to specific locations, such as the position of gas pipelines or damaged structures. In the video, SoCalGas utilizes this data through ArcGIS Enterprise to visually map out areas affected by disasters, allowing them to quickly identify and prioritize the most urgent repair and safety needs during the Montecito mudslides.

💡Recovery Effort

The recovery effort refers to SoCalGas's actions following the mudslides, aiming to restore gas services and ensure the safety of residents. The video emphasizes how the GIS-based system allowed for faster decision-making, quicker identification of problem areas, and effective coordination between teams. The entire operation to restore gas services was completed in 28 days, significantly improving recovery times.

Highlights

SoCalGas is the largest gas utility in the country, with six million accounts and over 100,000 miles of pipeline.

Safety is a top priority for SoCalGas, with employees maintaining, inspecting, and monitoring the pipeline system daily.

SoCalGas uses ArcGIS Enterprise to manage their pipeline system, integrating geographic data and other departmental information into a single platform.

In December 2017, the Thomas Fire broke out, becoming one of California's largest wildfires and damaging large areas of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

The Thomas Fire was followed by torrential rains that led to devastating mudslides in Montecito, causing severe destruction and loss of life.

SoCalGas faced critical risks during the disaster, as mudslides could potentially unearth gas lines, causing leaks, fires, or explosions.

For the first time, SoCalGas had a GIS team on-site during an emergency, which allowed them to better assess the damage and coordinate recovery efforts.

ArcGIS Enterprise enabled SoCalGas to digitize paper maps, integrate data from multiple agencies, and streamline response efforts.

With all data integrated into one map, SoCalGas crews were able to locate damaged gas lines and reroute pathways faster than ever before.

The ability to visualize where gas assets were in relation to the damage was crucial in preventing further disasters and ensuring public safety.

SoCalGas restored service to all residents in just 28 days, much faster than in past disasters.

The integration of Geographic Information System (GIS) data with other departmental information helped make quick and informed decisions for the customer.

SoCalGas used ArcGIS to enhance communication, monitor recovery progress, and ensure that key assets were secured in record time.

Having a single-platform system like ArcGIS Enterprise provided peace of mind, allowing teams to access critical information quickly and efficiently.

The success of the Montecito recovery effort highlights the importance of using advanced GIS tools to manage complex infrastructure and ensure public safety.