Automation
traditional manned delivery methods, which can include the use of cargo vessels, there is still work to do to make the technology more cost competitive and accessible to the wider energy industry. It also has a payload capacity of 50kg which limits the cargo that can be transported. If the technology can accommodate heavier cargos one day this could be a game changer for supplying offshore rigs. Finally, methane detection has proven remarkably successful. Shell for example is using satellites to locate methane leaks and then deploying drones with gas sensors to pinpoint exactly where the methane is coming from.
Drones in action
visualisation gives the operator a better idea of how good is good, how bad is bad in the grand scheme of things and allows them to use that quantifiable information to plan a more cost-effective maintenance campaign.” In terms of innovations in drone technologies, we recently saw the Schiebel Camcopter S-100, a mini-helicopter UAV developed by Nordic Unmanned, carry out a long-range unmanned flight to supply a 3D printed component to a rig off the west coast of Norway for Equinor. At a flight range of 100km each way, this was a world-first in terms of scale of an unmanned aviation delivery. Although this is positive for the environment as drone operations have a 55 times lower carbon footprint than
Shell is one company which is embracing drones and digitalisation globally. Earlier this year, the supermajor awarded Cyberhawk a five-year, multi-million-dollar contract to use iHawk as its next generation visualisation software platform for all onshore, offshore and subsea assets, as well as all global construction projects. “We have been a key supporter of Shell’s digital transformation strategy since 2012 and our collaborative, progressive relationship has been a key enabler in the evolution of iHawk,” Wong adds. “Managing complex infrastructure, particularly in the energy industry, cannot be based on a one size fits all approach, so we work closely with iHawk clients in this sector to ensure our software is fit-for-purpose, and doesn’t stand still.” Unfortunately, a lot of drone technology available today is limited by the battery technology. If there was a breakthrough in battery technology and had access to more powerful energy sources, it would transform the way drones are used. This would allow drones to stay connected 24/7 via IoT technology and allow for around the clock asset surveillance, meaning remote inspections would identify defects early on. “Unmanned drone operations will become the norm,” Wong says. “We can expect more R&D to make it possible to transfer heavier goods using unmanned drones and perform complex tasks such as advanced NDT inspection and fabric maintenance. “We have already seen Amazon pushing for an airspace corridor which would allow the e-commerce giant to use high-speed aerial drones to deliver goods from their warehouses straight to the consumer’s doorstep. These would fly robotically with virtually no human interference. This would support social distancing so it may be an innovation that we see accelerated in the coming months as non-essential shops remain shut and online orders increase. It will be interesting to see how this application could be transferred to the offshore oil and gas sector in years to come.”
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