The Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) is a
data model
A data model is an abstract model that organizes elements of data and standardizes how they relate to one another and to the properties of real-world entities. For instance, a data model may specify that the data element representing a car be ...
and associated
standards Standard may refer to:
Symbols
* Colours, standards and guidons, kinds of military signs
* Standard (emblem), a type of a large symbol or emblem used for identification
Norms, conventions or requirements
* Standard (metrology), an object t ...
for storing information about
pipeline
A pipeline is a system of Pipe (fluid conveyance), pipes for long-distance transportation of a liquid or gas, typically to a market area for consumption. The latest data from 2014 gives a total of slightly less than of pipeline in 120 countries ...
s. It has been developed and maintained by the PODS Association since 1998.
It provides pipeline operators with a database architecture for storing critical information and analysis data about their pipeline systems, and allows them to manage this data geospatially for visualization in
GIS platforms.
[{{cite news , title=New Data Model Release of PODS 7.03 Utility Network + Advanced Pipeline Referencing (APR) {{! Pipeline Technology Journal , url=https://www.pipeline-journal.net/news/new-data-model-release-pods-703-utility-network-advanced-pipeline-referencing-apr , access-date=21 February 2025 , work=www.pipeline-journal.net , publisher=EITEP Institute , date=15 April 2024]
PODS Association
The PODS Association is a non-profit, member-driven
501(c) organization
A 501(c) organization is a nonprofit organization in the Law of the United States#Federal law, federal law of the United States according to Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. ยง 501(c)). Such organizations are exempt from some Taxation in the Un ...
. A volunteer technical committee is responsible for strategic and technical decisions, and the organization's 12 board members are elected or re-elected yearly. As of November 2022, the executive director position is the only full-time role in the organization, and is currently held by Monique Roberts. It also employs staff in part-time coordination roles for education, marketing, membership and technical matters.
Membership and model usage
Membership of the organization is made up of users of the data model; these are mainly pipeline operators and government agencies. Over the last 25+ years, the PODS data model has been implemented by over 200 pipeline operators in 39 countries, representing over 3 million miles pipeline and systems including facilities, storage and stations. The model is used by the United States Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) to input data into the National Pipeline Mapping System (NPMS).
Model history
* PRE-PODS ISAT Data Model, released in 1993
* PODS 2.0, released in 2001, with fewer than 70 tables
* PODS 3.0, released in 2002, doubled in size, including several submodels
* PODS 3.1, released in 2003
* PODS 3.2, released in 2004 with 157 tables
* PODS 3.2.1, released in 2004, maintenance release
* PODS 4.0, released in 2006, includes ILI submodel and documentation
* PODS 4.0.1, released in 2007, maintenance release
* PODS 4.0.2, released in 2007, maintenance release
* PODS 5.0, released 2009, contains 198 Sub-Models, 652 Tables, and 4,843 Columns
* PODS 5.0 ESRI Spatial GeoDatabase, released 2010
* PODS ESRI Spatial 5.1.1, Released in 2012
* PODS 6.0 Relational, released in 2012
* PODS ESRI Spatial 6.0, Released in 2014
* PODS Lite 7.0, released in 2017
* PODS Lite Geodatabase for APR, released in 2017
* PODS 7.0, released in 2019
* PODS 7.0.1, released in 2021
* PODS 7.0.3, released in 2024
See also
*
Gas Technology Institute (formerly Gas Research Institute)
*
Open specifications
*
Open standard
An open standard is a standard that is openly accessible and usable by anyone. It is also a common prerequisite that open standards use an open license that provides for extensibility. Typically, anybody can participate in their development due to ...
*
Pipeline transport
A pipeline is a system of Pipe (fluid conveyance), pipes for long-distance transportation of a liquid or gas, typically to a market area for consumption. The latest data from 2014 gives a total of slightly less than of pipeline in 120 countries ...
References
External links
PODS home page
Standards
Non-profit organizations based in Oklahoma
Organizations established in 1998
Pipeline transport