ABS, a provider of classification and technical services to the offshore industry, has published ‘Guidance Notes on Subsea Pipeline Route Determination’.

The document presents a method for route determination that combines risk assessment techniques with Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.

“ABS looks for opportunities to break new ground by developing safety guidance for the offshore sector,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS chairman, president and CEO. “ABS has once again worked as a trusted advisor with an industry partner to set a new standard.”

As ABS informed, this guidance note uses a combination of technologies to allow different pipeline routes to be evaluated faster and more thoroughly.

ABS has been working in partnership with Fugro Marine GeoServices on the project.

“Fugro was pleased to collaborate with ABS on this industry-leading standard,” said Jason Smith, Fugro Marine GeoServices vice president and GeoConsulting lead, Offshore Americas. “The guidance document advocates a workflow approach to subsea pipeline route determination based on integrating geological, biological, and cultural data in a modern GIS framework, which allows us to find optimal solutions and minimize risks during the early stages of project planning.”