How Drones Improve Safety in Energy Facilities

Drones provide invaluable assistance to oil and gas facilities in several ways: 1. Aerial Inspections: Drones conduct regular aerial inspections of infrastructure, such as pipelines, tanks, and flare stacks. They capture high-resolution imagery and video, helping identify potential issues like leaks, corrosion, or structural damage. 2. Remote Monitoring: Drones enable real-time remote monitoring of facilities, reducing the need for physical site visits. Operators can assess operations and respond to emergencies promptly. 3. Safety Inspections: They are employed for safety inspections in hazardous areas, reducing the risk to human workers. Drones can access areas that might be dangerous or hard to reach. 4. Environmental Compliance: Drones aid in monitoring environmental compliance, helping to detect and address any spills or emissions that might occur. 5. Security: Drones enhance security by providing surveillance of facility perimeters, helping to identify and prevent unauthorized access. 6. Mapping and Surveying: Drones create accurate 3D maps and surveys of the facility and its surroundings, aiding in site planning and maintenance. 7. Asset Management: They assist in asset management by tracking the condition of equipment and infrastructure over time, allowing for proactive maintenance. 8. Emergency Response: Drones are crucial during emergency response situations, providing real-time situational awareness to responders. In formal terms, these applications underscore the role of drones in improving operational efficiency and safety within the oil and gas industry. In a more casual context, think of drones as high-tech helpers that keep a watchful eye on the complex world of oil and gas, making it safer and more efficient. For more information, contact Erik Schultz direct.

I’m a firm believer that technology is becoming the bridge to safer operations at emergency scenes. I created this video to show the importance of high resolution #Thermal Imaging on a drone. Especially for #HazMat incidents. In the video you will see side by side views from the Skydio X10 of an above ground fuel container where the floating roof failed and sank into 4 Million gallons of gasoline during Hurricane Milton. The gasoline, exposed to the sun and air, began to vaporize. Looking at the side by side videos (both shot at the same time) the visible light camera is unable to see the vapors being produced however the thermal imaging camera on the drone can. The temperature differences between the vapor and the air is very minimal however the radiometric thermal camera on the drone can see even the slightest changes in temperature. This info is extremely valuable to the decision makers as we are able to see the height of the vapors and direction of travel all from a safety of our command post. #dronesforgood #uas #technology #thermalimagery

Drone ‘powered’ energy Technology is transforming the way power utility companies go about their businesses. From using drones for perilous inspections to the use of sensors and Asset monitoring solutions to stabilize large grids rapid changes have been witnessed in the sector. But what advantages do incorporating drone and sensor technologies bring into the equation? • Using drones’ professionals can now operate at a safe distance instead of engaging with high-voltage transmissions which previously electrocuted 25 workers annually. • The service efficiency goes up since drones can not only cover a larger precinct but also do it faster while reducing the costs by 30-50% • Drones are capable of delivering data such as HD and thermal imaging, LIDAR in real-time helping pace up the decision-making process and also foresee and prevent major incidents from happening. This data can further optimize the functioning of the system when used in synergy with Asset Monitoring Solutions. • Using the technology for continuous oversight of assets thereby ensuring the health and safety of the infrastructure while providing real-time access • Digital data eases the conundrum of how to record and process data and subsequently ensure compliance reporting • This data can then be analyzed to predict and forecast events based on historical trends  • Incorporation of the latest technology like GFMs to further enhance grid stability. An incident from April 2023 showed how GFMs potentially saved $10 million when an oil-powered generator went offline highlighting the immense potential. What is your opinion, are such digital solutions the way forward for greener grids? #innovation #technology #energy #sustainability #electricalengineering ASEC ENGINEERS - Engineering your success, delivering precision and innovation in every project since 1991.