Since its debut in 1998, the Pipeline Open Data Standard (PODS) has become the backbone of geospatial data management for pipeline infrastructure. What began as a simple relational model has grown into the most widely adopted standard for pipeline asset data—powering regulatory reporting, digital twins, inspection programs, and integrity management worldwide.

From its early days to its latest release, PODS has kept pace with the growing complexity of pipeline operations:

• PODS 2.0 (2001) – Introduced foundational relational tables.
• PODS 3.x (2002–2004) – Added expanded infrastructure and submodels.
• PODS 4.0 (2006) – Introduced inline inspection (ILI) support.
• PODS 5.x (2009–2012) – Enhanced geospatial capabilities and vendor support.
• PODS 6.x (2012–2014) – Strengthened integration of relational and spatial data.
• PODS 7.x (2017–2024) – Modernized with mobile-ready Lite versions, Utility Network integration, and linear referencing advancements.

With over 3 million miles of pipeline represented by more than 200 operators in 39 countries, PODS is not only a standard—it’s a global community.

PODS is trusted because it delivers:

• Regulatory readiness – Built-in support for PHMSA and global compliance frameworks.
• GIS flexibility – Compatible with Esri and other mapping platforms.
• Operational clarity – A single source of truth for asset location, condition, history, and risk.

From hazardous liquids to hydrogen, PODS ensures that data is not only stored—but structured, accessible, and useful across the pipeline lifecycle.

What’s Next for PODS

As outlined in PODS’ 25th Anniversary presentation, the future is focused, ambitious, and community-driven. Here’s what’s coming:

• New compliance and benchmarking tools
• Deeper Esri integration and next-gen GIS alignment
• Modules for renewable pipelines, CO₂, hydrogen, and emerging technologies
• Continued development through open working groups and user collaboration

Explore the Full Story

Want to see how PODS has grown over 25 years—and where it’s headed next?

📥 Download the full 25th Anniversary presentation here

Whether you’re an operator, vendor, regulator, or GIS professional, PODS continues to be the pipeline data foundation built for now—and the future.

25 years strong and just getting started—PODS is the standard that connects pipelines to possibility.