Pipeline survey work carries a burden that goes well beyond measurement. In a region where gathering systems expand continuously and asset histories stretch back decades, the value of survey lies in the confidence it creates: confidence in where infrastructure was planned, where it was actually installed, and how those records will hold up years later. This case study looks at how SAM has supported Energy Transfer’s WellConnect program across roughly 20 gathering lines in West Texas, from preliminary survey through final as-built documentation.
Project at a glance
- Client: Energy Transfer, WellConnect gathering program
- Location: Permian Basin, West Texas
- Scope: Approximately 20 lines totaling 27 miles
- Engaged since: April 2025
- Services: Preliminary survey, alignment sheet generation, construction staking, construction as-built survey, database support
As oil and gas development continues across West Texas, gathering infrastructure plays a critical role in moving natural gas safely and efficiently from production sites into broader energy networks. Supporting that growth requires more than construction alone. It depends on accurate records, reliable survey data, thoughtful routing decisions, and a clear understanding of where infrastructure exists both above and below ground.
Inside the WellConnect Gathering Program
Energy Transfer’s WellConnect program in the Permian Basin supports the gathering infrastructure that moves natural gas from production sites into larger transportation and processing networks. Rather than functioning as a single construction effort, the program consists of multiple active lines advancing through different phases of development simultaneously, requiring coordination from planning through final documentation.
Since April 2025, SAM has partnered with Energy Transfer to provide survey and geospatial services that help establish confidence in infrastructure location throughout the project lifecycle. Across approximately 20 WellConnect lines totaling 27 miles, SAM has delivered preliminary surveys, alignment sheet generation, construction staking, construction as-built surveys, and database support to help guide development and maintain reliable infrastructure records.
Managing multiple active lines across different stages of development requires more than documenting field conditions. SAM’s role extends across the full infrastructure lifecycle, helping establish confidence in asset location while supporting Energy Transfer’s ongoing expansion and maintenance of gathering assets in one of the nation’s most active energy regions.
Full-Lifecycle Survey and Geospatial Services
The work begins with preliminary survey efforts that define existing conditions and create a foundation for design. From there, SAM develops alignment sheets using Skyline to support planning and decision-making, provides database support to maintain continuity across project phases, and delivers construction staking and as-built surveys to document infrastructure as it moves from concept to completion.
As projects advance into construction, SAM provides staking services that guide installation in the field and help ensure infrastructure is built in accordance with project requirements. Once construction is complete, the team performs as-built surveys to document final conditions and create reliable records of completed infrastructure.
By supporting each phase from planning through final documentation, SAM helps Energy Transfer maintain greater confidence in where infrastructure is intended to be located, where it is ultimately installed, and how those records can support future operations, maintenance, and continued system growth.
Navigating Historical Uncertainty in a Dynamic Environment
While survey support is foundational to energy infrastructure development, projects in the Permian Basin introduce challenges that extend far beyond collecting measurements.
One of the realities of long-standing oil and gas regions is that infrastructure histories are not always straightforward. Existing facilities may have been developed over decades, records may vary in quality, and historical knowledge can become fragmented over time as assets change ownership and systems continue to expand.
Field conditions can introduce additional complexity. Existing utility locations may not always align with historical documentation. Occupation on the ground may differ from historic section information. Agricultural activity, changing site conditions, and evolving infrastructure corridors create situations where survey decisions require both technical expertise and practical judgment.
SAM’s role is not simply to collect data. The team helps identify potential conflicts before they become larger issues. That includes helping clients understand where uncertainty exists, supporting decisions that reduce right of way conflicts, and recommending practical solutions that avoid unnecessary land impacts when conditions in the field do not align with expectations.
This approach supports both project execution and long-term infrastructure stewardship.
Surveying With the End Goal in Mind
For gathering systems, accurate location information becomes increasingly valuable over time.
Knowing where infrastructure was intended to be installed is important. Knowing where it actually exists is essential.
Through construction staking and as built documentation, SAM helps create records that allow clients to locate infrastructure with greater confidence in the future. Detailed documentation supports maintenance activities, future expansion efforts, operational planning, and issue response when conditions change over time.
Rather than viewing survey as a standalone service, the team approaches each assignment as part of a broader infrastructure system that will continue evolving long after construction is complete.
Working in the Field and Alongside Stakeholders
This mindset also extends into stakeholder relationships.
Survey teams operate directly in communities, interact with landowners, coordinate with right of way teams, and support communication between field personnel and project stakeholders. Maintaining professionalism and thoughtful coordination in the field helps support successful outcomes while preserving trust across all parties involved.
SAM maintains dedicated support for Energy Transfer’s WellConnect efforts, allowing the team to remain familiar with project expectations, regional conditions, and evolving infrastructure needs.
Building a Foundation for Continued Permian Basin Pipeline Survey Work
As gathering systems continue to grow throughout West Texas, accurate infrastructure records and informed survey decisions remain essential to supporting responsible energy development. By combining preliminary survey, alignment support, construction staking, as built documentation, and geospatial record management, SAM is helping provide the confidence needed to support energy infrastructure today while creating a stronger foundation for the future.
This approach reflects SAM’s broader commitment to supporting the oil and gas industry through scalable survey and geospatial solutions that help clients plan, build, maintain, and expand critical energy infrastructure with greater certainty and long term visibility.
