Main benefits of pipeline integrity management
General inspection
Get a real-time aerial overview of pipeline conditions and regularly monitor potential risks to promptly identify issues and address them in a timely manner.
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
Identify leaks quickly and accurately using drones equipped with specialized sensors, keeping staff safe and enabling timely decision making.
Emergency response
Fly over affected areas, document damage to infrastructure and property, and create accurate models that help streamline repair efforts.
General inspection
Traditional challenges in general inspection
- Personnel could be exposed to security risks when inspecting and maintaining pipelines scattered in remote areas, while monitoring for vandalism and theft is difficult.
- Failure to timely detect illegal constructions and occupations can pose risks or cause damage to oil and gas pipelines.
- As the pipeline ages, the risk of breakdowns and leaks increases, the frequency of inspections must be increased and a lot of manpower is required.
How drones enhance general inspection
- Drones are used flexibly to quickly get an overview of the pipe network, capturing details with a zoom sensor.
- Digitize inspection results using drones to get a live view of the pipeline network to gather evidence of illegal activity and keep the footage on file for recording and comparison of conditions.
- Enhancing traditional inspection with detailed drone information improves efficiency by protecting workers from hazardous environments.
Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR)
Traditional challenges in LDAR
- Leaks compromise the safety of the site and surrounding communities.
- The location of the leak can be difficult to pinpoint, let alone acquiring a reading on the concentration of the leak.
- Ground staff cannot quickly visualize the extent of the leak or predict its development without an overview.
How drones help with LDAR
- Drones equipped with gas detector payloads can quickly scan large areas and pinpoint the location of the leak so it can be addressed immediately.
- Drones can help personnel determine the extent of the leak, while also sending aerial information that helps monitor on-site repairs.
Emergency response
Traditional challenges in emergency response
- Emergency repairs require timely coordination between on-site and off-site teams, which can be difficult to manage on your own.
- Repairs involving hot work must be closely monitored to ensure safety and compliance.
- Repairs can take place simultaneously in multiple on-site locations, which can be difficult to monitor.
How drones increase emergency response
- Use drones to quickly map the crash scene, providing crucial scale information so teams can set a plan of action.
- Monitor hot job sites from above, sending live feeds to the command center to quickly coordinate team assignments.