Remote Optical Gas Imaging UAV

Industry context

The Oil & Gas industry has a limited capability of being able to safely and cost-effectively determine the level of ‘weeps and seeps’ associated with operating a hydrocarbon processing plant. Gas detection is typically carried out by technicians operating at deck level, resulting in inaccurate measurements or a lack of awareness of the potential underlying issues of hydrocarbon leaks that may be present at height.

Project overview

The Air Control Entech project sought to achieve two field trials of a resident ATEX Zone 1-rated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to overcome the challenges inherent in carrying out gas detection at height and within confined spaces using presently available inspection methods.​

This project addressed two main challenges:​

• Safety – reducing the risk of majoraccident hazards (MAH). Ensuring all potentialhydrocarbon release (HCRs) risks are known.​
• Efficiency – increased efficiency by utilising custom-built UAV technology to enhance productivity and coverage of gas detection work scopes that would have previously been carried out using traditional deck-level only or scaffold/ rope access methods.

Outcome

Successful field trial completed

Safer solutions for confined space entry, ultrasonic testing and 3D laser scanning ​

UAV solutions are 20x faster and reduce costs by 50% compared to traditional rope access methods

Reduce industry-wide inspection spend by 25% and save over £75million/ year across UKCS​

Successful field trial completed

Safer solutions for confined space entry, ultrasonic testing and 3D laser scanning ​

UAV solutions are 20x faster and reduce costs by 50% compared to traditional rope access methods

Reduce industry-wide inspection spend by 25% and save over £75million/ year across UKCS​