Case StudyGeodata Export

Pipeline geodata for every audience — from Google Earth to federal INTERLIS submissions

Swissgas AG · Switzerland

Swissgas AG manages critical natural gas pipeline infrastructure across Switzerland — infrastructure that has to be visualized, tracked, and reported to very different audiences: internal teams managing easements, engineers assessing infrastructure changes, and the Swiss federal government, which requires geodata in a specific, validated format.

Challenge: Delivering pipeline infrastructure data in the exact formats different audiences need — intuitive maps for internal teams, and strictly validated data for mandatory federal submissions.
Solution: SEPM's KML and INTERLIS exports, translating Smallworld GIS data into Google Earth, validated federal MGDM format, and Switzerland's map.geo.admin.ch platform.
Results: Simple, visual workflows for legal and administrative processes, validated federal submissions, and a fully functional public GIS — without installing anything.

01Challenge

Swissgas needed a way to export its Smallworld GIS data into the exact formats each of these audiences required: intuitive visual maps for easement and stakeholder communication, and strictly validated INTERLIS data for mandatory federal submissions — without maintaining separate, disconnected workflows for each.

Pipeline routes and flight markers exported from Smallworld, shown in 3D in Google Earth — SEPM's exports let Swissgas visualize pipelines and flight markers in 3D, across Google Earth, INTERLIS, and map.geo.admin.ch.

02How the data flows

01
Smallworld GIS
Pipelines, easements and flight markers
02
SEPM KML + INTERLIS export
Direct export, validated XTF output
03
Google Earth · map.geo.admin.ch
Visual maps for teams and stakeholders
04
Federal government (MGDM)
Validated minimal geodata model

03Solution

Google Earth (KML) Export

Swissgas uses SEPM tools to export critical infrastructure directly into Google Earth, allowing for intuitive, accessible, and spatially accurate visualizations. With these KML exports, Swissgas can:

Instantly view the status of easement renewals using color-coded overlays
Identify and assess infrastructure changes geographically
Share meaningful maps internally or with external stakeholders

Color-coded easement overlay along a pipeline corridor in Google Earth — A color-coded KML overlay in Google Earth, showing easement status along a pipeline corridor.

INTERLIS Export to MGDM (Minimal Geodata Model)

Using the SEPM INTERLIS export, Swissgas delivers validated data to the federal government in the required MGDM format — a perfect match between practical workflows and official geodata obligations.

Direct export from Smallworld GIS
Full support for INTERLIS models (e.g. PipelinesystemUnderSupervisionByFederalGovernment_V1.ili)
Validated XTF output for federal submission
Advanced spatial analysis inside QGIS

Spatial analysis of INTERLIS pipeline data in QGIS — Vector, raster, and multicriteria analysis inside QGIS, using data delivered through SEPM's INTERLIS export.

Integration with map.geo.admin.ch

Swissgas uploads its KML exports to GitHub and overlays them on map.geo.admin.ch, Switzerland's federal geodata platform. This gives engineers and managers:

A public, interactive map
Easy sharing of flight marker data, protection zones, and pipelines
KML-enhanced features like HTML tables for IDs, numbers, and metadata

The result is a fully functional GIS — without needing to install anything.

Swissgas pipelines and flight markers overlaid on map.geo.admin.ch — Swissgas infrastructure — including flight markers and pipeline routes — visualized on map.geo.admin.ch, Switzerland's federal geodata platform.

“Whether it's an export for Google Earth, INTERLIS, or the minimal geodata model of the federal government, SEPM always delivers perfect data.”

Jürg BichselDeputy Head of Network Integrity, Swissgas AG

04Results

01
Intuitive, accessible Google Earth visualizations for easement and infrastructure tracking
02
Validated INTERLIS/MGDM data delivered directly to the federal government
03
A public, interactive map on map.geo.admin.ch, sharing flight markers, protection zones, and pipelines
04
Simple workflows powering results across legal, administrative, and engineering teams