Case Studies

Bucharest utility company uses Autodesk Map 3D and Autodesk Infrastructure Map Server software to manage a 17,000 kilometer gas pipeline.

A necessarily highly regulated activity, natural gas distribution on such a large scale is a highly detailed and complex task. A pervasive network of gas pipes, residential connections, regulator stations, management systems, and sensors, the 17,000 kilometer network requires highest-level efficiency and automation of manual assets.

"GDF SUEZ Energy Romania provides a vital service on a massive scale, so it is of the utmost importance that we are constantly ensuring maximum efficiency of our systems through frequent updates to the latest technology, all while maintaining reliable service to over one and a quarter million customers," says Radu Negoita, Senior GIS Specialist at GDF SUEZ Energy Romania. "Beginning in 2007, the company spent two intensive years acquiring the precise field data necessary for creating the most efficient system of ongoing analysis and maintenance. By 2009, after extensive research, we selected AutoCAD Map 3D Enterprise as the best software to manage our network across all of our central and regional offices in Romania. We also began working closely with Autodesk Consulting to ensure the smooth operation of our asset management system."

GDF SUEZ Energy Romania’s plan was based on minimizing errors wherever possible, and quickly handling necessary corrections and exceptions on the network through a geospatial asset management system based on SAP technology. With an ambitious project implementation timeline of just 10 months to complete developing and implementing business requirements analysis; a massive database requiring data migration and testing; an intricate gas network model; both software and hardware architecture; and extensive training, the GDF SUEZ Energy Romania team had not a moment to lose.

Despite the tight timeline, and with help from a 5-member Autodesk Consulting team, GDF SUEZ Energy Romania created, implemented, and deployed the new network system by 2010, and it is now successfully supporting more than 600 active users. Through the latest version of AutoCAD Map 3D Enterprise software, the core, open architecture database uses accurate data to safely and securely manage important asset updates across the entire Romanian production environment.

Thanks to the open architecture, full integration with SAP plant maintenance, network analysis, and other enterprise systems is possible, while enabling creation and interactive revisions of design drawings and providing multi-criteria analysis for investment planning. The AutoCAD Map 3D Enterprise-driven system is also used for acquiring updated field data and creating new assets and analyses. Meanwhile, the web client—based on Autodesk Infrastructure Map Server—serves the entire operation in providing a detailed view into network geometry and characteristics, as well as easier map navigation of maps and generation of reports. The system also automates and enables data capture, field measurement, network topology, job estimating, graphical reporting, and network monitoring tools.

Indeed, the system has been working so well that GDF SUEZ Energy Romania is already planning for future enhancements and developments of the system which will include such features as the development of tracking tools for new investment projects, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) integration, SAP asset accounting, routing and proximity modules, workforce management, and further enhancements like Autodesk Mobile Viewer.

"Throughout this successful implementation, Autodesk Consulting was a key and vital contributor," says Negoita. "Thanks to the Consulting team’s proactive approach, methodology and top-quality delivery, we were able to determine the most efficient strategy to take full advantage of the technology. It has been a true pleasure to work with the Autodesk Consulting team and we look forward to continuing that relationship in the future."