Oil & gas drone inspection
We perform both internal and external drone inspections of both tanks and pipes within oil and gas.
Increased safety
Avoid having to enter confined spaces and work at height.
Reduced downtime
Lower costs
Reduce inspection costs by up to 90%.
See our solution here:
Solutions
Tank inspection (Interior)
We save you from entering the dangerous environment of an oil or gas tank and inspect by drone instead.
Tank inspection (Exterior)
Gain insight into the condition with visual inspection, thermal inspection and thickness measurement by drone.
Always the right solution
Benefits of drone inspection in the oil and gas industry
We use drones for many different purposes in the oil and gas industry. We use custom-built drones with lights and safety grids to perform interior inspections. Here we look for corrosion, wear and tear and perform thickness measurements with ultrasound.
We also perform exterior inspections and thickness measurements. With outdoor inspections, we can use thermal drones with thermal imaging cameras to find leaks. We also have drones that can detect gas leaks with lasers. In addition, it is also possible to use sniffer drones to monitor larger areas such as gas tanks or gas pipelines.
One of the major advantages of using drones is that we can safely and easily access tanks and carry out inspections at height. This makes it faster, cheaper and much safer to inspect tanks and pipelines.
Always the right solution
Thickness measurement and inspection of tanks with drone and ultrasound
As something completely new, we have developed thickness measurement equipment for the drone. This allows us to attach ultrasonic probes to the drone, fly over and measure the thickness of metal surfaces. It makes NDT much easier and faster.
This way, we can quickly and safely measure the thickness of an entire tank or pipe and gain insight into wear and remaining lifetime.
Our method is not only smarter, but also much faster. For example, it takes us around 1.5 hours to measure the thickness of a large fuel tank at a refinery.
Case studies
Always the right solution
Maximize safety with drone inspections
Safety is paramount when working in the oil and gas industry. We know which dangerous situations you want to avoid and where drones can help. We are also familiar with ATEX regulations and approvals and are currently working on developing an ATEX drone.
We also have the option to attach a gas sniffer or gas detector to our Elios 3 drone. This allows us to detect up to 100 different types of gas and use the drone to safety check inspection and repair areas before the crew starts work.
Frequently asked questions
What types of tanks can be inspected by drone?
We can inspect storage tanks, production tanks, pressure tanks and pipelines in the oil and gas industry – both internally and externally.
How does ultrasonic thickness measurement work on a drone?
We use specialized equipment to measure metal thickness, allowing us to detect early signs of corrosion and wear.
Is it necessary to take the tanks out of service for an inspection?
In many cases, our drone inspections can be carried out without shutting down, minimizing disruption to operations. But when we have to enter the tanks, it’s often during an overhaul when they are being emptied anyway.
How is inspection data delivered and reported?
We provide a visual inspection report with images and video as well as a detailed report of the thickness measurements. We connect all this to a 3D point cloud so you can see where in the tank there is damage.
How accurate are your drone inspections compared to traditional methods?
Our drones deliver high-resolution images, video and ultrasonic measurements with great precision, providing a reliable basis for assessing the condition of tanks and pipes. We have been out testing thickness measurement in comparison to crawlers, and there is minimal difference. If you want to hear more about the results, please contact us.
Can inspections help extend tank lifetime?
Yes, with regular inspection and monitoring, incipient damage can be detected early, reducing the risk of costly repairs and unforeseen failures.