In the complex and ever-evolving midstream sector of the oil and gas industry, gatherers play a pivotal role in transporting raw hydrocarbons from production sites to processing facilities and transmission pipelines. These operations, which are particularly vital in the natural gas market, face a wide array of logistical, regulatory, and technical challenges every day.
To overcome these obstacles and optimize performance, gatherers increasingly rely on digital tools designed specifically for their workflows. But with so many platforms and vendors on the market, how do you choose the right software solution for gatherers? The answer lies in understanding the unique challenges of the gathering business, and in identifying the software features that directly address those needs.
#The Unique Challenges Facing Gatherers
Gathering systems in oil and gas operations are far from simple. Unlike upstream production or downstream processing, gathering involves orchestrating a highly dynamic and distributed network of assets and stakeholders. Let’s explore some of the core challenges:
Nominations and Scheduling
Managing nominations is one of the most intricate aspects of a gathering system in oil and gas. Nominations are commitments from shippers to move a specific volume of hydrocarbons through a gathering network within a certain timeframe. Errors or inefficiencies in handling nominations can result in imbalances, lost revenue, or even regulatory penalties.
Balancing
Balancing is critical to ensure that the volume of gas entering a system matches the volume leaving it. Imbalances can arise due to metering inaccuracies, scheduling errors, or last-minute changes in production. Balancing issues create not only financial discrepancies but also operational headaches that ripple throughout the network.
Third-Party Tracking and Accountability
Gatherers must track hydrocarbons on behalf of multiple producers, marketers, and processors. This involves maintaining meticulous records of ownership, quality, and custody as the product flows through various facilities. Failing to properly manage third-party data can result in disputes, reputational damage, and regulatory scrutiny.
These challenges require more than spreadsheets or legacy tools. They demand an intelligent, integrated software approach tailored to the specific needs of gatherers.
#What to Look for in a Software Solution for Gatherers
Not all software is created equal. Generic oil and gas platforms may not address the unique pain points that midstream gatherers face. Below are the key features and functionalities to prioritize when evaluating gas gathering management software or midstream oil and gas software.
Seamless Field Integration
Your software should connect directly with field data sources (flow meters, SCADA systems, pressure sensors, and other IoT devices). Real-time field integration enables accurate, up-to-date information to flow into your system without manual intervention. This reduces human error, enhances responsiveness, and allows for automated scheduling and reconciliation.
Accurate Volume Tracking
At the heart of any gas pipeline software is its ability to measure and track volumes accurately at every point in the system. Your platform should support granular tracking of gathered volumes by source, route, and destination. This capability ensures transparency across your network and provides the backbone for balancing and reporting.
Flexible Allocation Mechanisms
Volume allocation (the process of distributing measured volumes back to individual producers or contracts) can be extremely complex. A high-quality natural gas scheduling software platform should offer flexible allocation rules that accommodate everything from simple wellhead splits to more intricate commingled flow scenarios. The software must allow for automated, auditable, and configurable allocation workflows.
Third-Party Data Management
Your software should be built with third-party tracking in mind. It should maintain clear custody transfer records, document all measurement data, and support customizable reporting for each stakeholder. Whether it’s regulatory compliance, revenue accounting, or operational insight, your software should be a single source of truth for all parties involved.
Real-Time Data Access for Stakeholders
Gone are the days of waiting hours or even days for system updates. Today’s gatherers operate in a world that demands real-time insights. Your software should empower all stakeholders (from field operators to executives) to access the data they need, when they need it. This includes web-based dashboards, mobile apps, and secure user portals that deliver tailored visibility to each user role.
#Real-Time Visibility: A Must-Have for Modern Operations
In midstream operations, timing is everything. One missed nomination window or miscommunicated volume change can cause ripple effects that impact producers, transporters, and buyers alike. This is why real-time data access is no longer optional; it’s essential.
Modern gas gathering systems must operate like well-oiled machines, with every part of the organization operating from the same playbook. Real-time data allows gatherers to:
Respond quickly to operational issues
Validate nominations and schedules as they are submitted
Make informed decisions around rerouting or maintenance
Ensure transparency with regulators and partners
By implementing a system that offers real-time insight across your network, you reduce delays, improve communication, and ultimately gain a competitive edge.
#Simplifying Complexity with TIES
One standout example of a purpose-built solution for gatherers is TIES; a comprehensive platform that simplifies scheduling, measurement, and reporting for midstream oil and gas operators.
Here’s how TIES addresses the key needs of gatherers:
Streamlined Scheduling
TIES automates and validates nominations, ensuring compliance with contract terms and physical capacity constraints. It makes the scheduling process intuitive, auditable, and fast, reducing the manual workload on your commercial and operations teams.
Integrated Measurement and Balancing
By integrating directly with field data sources, TIES captures accurate flow data in near real-time. The system helps balance volumes across the network, identify discrepancies early, and facilitate quick resolution before month-end closing.
Comprehensive Reporting
TIES provides robust reporting tools that allow gatherers to generate reports for internal use, regulatory compliance, and third-party customers. From daily flow summaries to monthly imbalances and ownership breakdowns, the system covers the full spectrum of reporting needs.
Third-Party Portal Access
One of TIES’ standout features is its secure stakeholder access portal. This enables third parties to view their own data, track volumes, and validate balances, all in real time. This transparency strengthens relationships and reduces data disputes.
Flexible Allocation Engine
TIES offers a powerful and customizable allocation engine that can handle a wide variety of field configurations and contract structures. Whether you’re dealing with simple bilateral arrangements or complex blending and processing scenarios, TIES provides the tools to allocate fairly and consistently.
#Conclusion
Choosing the right software solution for gatherers is one of the most important decisions a midstream operator can make. It’s not just about technology; it’s about enabling better decisions, smoother operations, and stronger stakeholder relationships.
As you evaluate gas gathering management software, look for platforms that understand your challenges; nominations, balancing, and third-party tracking and offer targeted solutions like field integration, volume tracking, and flexible allocations. And don’t forget the importance of real-time data access, which is quickly becoming the standard for successful gathering operations.
Tools like TIES are leading the way, transforming traditional gathering workflows into efficient, transparent, and automated processes. In a competitive and regulatory-heavy industry, having the right software can be the difference between simply surviving and truly thriving.
