Inspection and maintenance robotics

A variety of exhibitors and industry leaders got together to showcase the new and exciting developments in robotics

THE 2022 Sprint Robotics World

Conference for Inspection and Maintenance Robotics was held at the Rai Centre in Amsterdam. Sprint Robotics promotes the development, availability and application of robotic techniques in technical inspections, operation and maintenance. This year showcased a wide variety of drones, robots and crawlers, all dedicated to helping the oil and gas industry. Over the two-day event, there was a diverse range of engaging talks from industry figures, technology demonstrations and the opportunity to try them out yourself.

THE EXHIBITORS

The hall was packed full of exhibitors, such as Flyability, demoing its Elios 3 and Rosen displaying its huge self-propelled robotic propulsion unit for pipeline inspection. Everyone was eager to discuss their products and engage with what their fellow innovators were up to. Speaking with exhibitors, many were keen to be part of Tank Storage Magazine’s innovation round up for 2022 (find out more next issue) and to self-nominate for the 2023 Global Tank Storage Awards. The awards feature a category dedicated to innovative technology, which highlights a technology/product or service that is revolutionising the tank terminal industry. Last year’s gold award winner, announced at StocExpo in Rotterdam, was Siemens AG. Entries are now open online on the Tank Storage Awards website.

THE SPEAKERS

A huge variety of talks and panels took place, with 24 talks each afternoon. On the first afternoon, Ziad Al Oqifi, capital planning engineer from Saudi Aramco, presented their new processes in thickness measurement within storage tanks. Currently, this process can take nine to 24 days from the time of notification to the time of closing the inspection. This costs both time and money. But with Saudi Aramco’s new advances in thermal mapping technology, this can be reduced to four days. At present, it has only been tested within water tanks, but future testing could see it expanded across the whole of the tank storage industry. The second day began with two keynote speakers. Ahmed Hussein from Shell discussed robotic machine vision for operations and how using ground robots can speed up refinery monitoring. Hussein openly spoke about the challenges of robot integration while praising the tech. By using a display of pictures taken by one of the robots he explained how, even though the robot is programmed to take a picture from the same spot each time, it can still have variables. These can lead to anomalies such as data imbalance and a lapse in quality. Although there has been great movement made within robotic-lead inspection, there is still a way to go. A pitch contest took place on both days, giving exhibitors five minutes to present their company to the audience. This meant concise videos and presentations to get to the heart of what the company does. To name a few: • Nobleo has created in-tank cleaners that help avoid taking tanks offline while cleaning takes place. • IRISNDT has a bespoke crawler that carries NDT equipment with successful case studies across the

UK and Canada. • Scout Di offers fully digitised asset inspection using indoor drones.

These are deployed through manways, creating a 3D map of assets while working.

NEW CONTENDERS

During an afternoon talk session called Storage Tanks, robot enabled data company, Applied Impact Robtics’ president, Joel Poe, held a talk regarding the inspection of crude oil tanks while in service. He explained that, currently, there is no solution for the inspection of the tank floor without human entry, which offlines the tanks. Applied Impact Robotics want to change this. Poe highlighted the core concepts of their innovation: in-service inspection, operating within sludge using liquefication, counter rotating augers for propulsion, integrated PAUT scanning and 360-degree range of motion for maneuvering. Although, there is no physical product testing yet, Poe showed the audience the current roadmap of the product and he has hopes it will be ready for commercial use within the next 18 to 24 months. Alongside this, there are plans to collaborate with BP to aid with tank testing and deployment.

THE BIG IDEA

Throughout all the discussions and talks that took place at the Sprint Robotics World Conference, there was one main takeaway – safety of humans. Most ideas all came back to the same objective: the integration of robots within the workplace is to work towards an industry with zero human incidents. Steve Smith, intelligent operations principle at BP made an interesting point in his talk on the reality of robotic integration. He said, when working with robots, you find yourself forming an attachment to them, you train them and programme them, they fulfil jobs for you and when an incident occurs that could harm or damage the robot you feel a sense of protection, almost reaching out to save them. But, ultimately, these innovations distance humans from danger and that is their purpose.

THE FUTURE OF SPRINT ROBOTICS

Catherine Reijans, marketing and communications lead at Sprint Robotics said: ‘We were thrilled to present the Sprint Robotics World Conference for Inspection and Maintenance Robotics after such a long hiatus. Witnessing the number of robotic technology providers and end users come together in one place was unique and exciting. The Sprint Robotics Collaborative is successfully creating acceleration for the uptake of inspection and maintenance robotics. We are looking forward to many in-person events in 2023!’

For more information:

www.sprintrobotics.org www.awards.tankstoragemag.com

The FeTSA Supplier pArTnerShip

Why Should i join The FeTSA Supplier pArTnerShip?

Why Should i join The FeTSA Supplier pArTnerShip?We offer you privileged access and visibility to senior decision makers in the tank storage industry through We offer you privileged access and visibility to senior decision makers in the tank storage industry through our events, publications and meetings. Specific benefits include: Why Should i join The FeTSA Supplier pArTnerShip?our events, publications and meetings. Specific benefits include: neTWorking: One complimentary ticket to attend our Annual FETSA Conference and neTWorking: One complimentary ticket to attend our Annual FETSA Conference and AGM Dinner exclusively dedicated to FETSA members, conference speakers and high level AGM Dinner exclusively dedicated to FETSA members, conference speakers and high level stakeholders from the EU political environment. First option for sponsorship opportunities around the Annual Conference and related events. stakeholders from the EU political environment. First option for sponsorship opportunities around the Annual Conference and related events.

Why Should i join The FeTSA Supplier pArTnerShip?Why Should i join The FeTSA Supplier pArTnerShip? We offer you privileged access and visibility to senior decision makers in the tank storage industry through We offer you privileged access and visibility to senior decision makers in the tank storage industry through We offer you privileged access and visibility to senior decision makers in the tank storage industry throughour events, publications and meetings. Specific benefits include:WHO SHOULD JOIN? The FETSA Supplier Partnership is our events, publications and meetings. Specific benefits include: our events, publications and meetings. Specific benefits include: open to companies that do business neTWorking: One complimentary ticket to attend our Annual FETSA Conference and neTWorking: One complimentary ticket to attend our Annual FETSA Conference and neTWorking: One complimentary ticket to attend our Annual FETSA Conference and AGM Dinner exclusively dedicated to FETSA members, conference speakers and high level AGM Dinner exclusively dedicated to FETSA members, conference speakers and high level with tank storage companies or have an affi nity with the tank storage sector. This includes, but is not limited to: AGM Dinner exclusively dedicated to FETSA members, conference speakers and high level stakeholders from the EU political environment. First option for sponsorship opportunities stakeholders from the EU political environment. First option for sponsorship opportunities stakeholders from the EU political environment. First option for sponsorship opportunities around the Annual Conference and related events. around the Annual Conference and related events. ViSiBiliTy: Name and logo with summary of services offered will feature on a dedicated Supplier Partnership page of our website and will be included in our communication tools around the Annual Conference and related events. ViSiBiliTy: Name and logo with summary of services offered will feature on a dedicated Supplier Partnership page of our website and will be included in our communication tools Technical equipment providers such as the FETSA website, the monthly newsletter and the annual management report such as the FETSA website, the monthly newsletter and the annual management report Companies providing safety

ViSiBiliTy: Name and logo with summary of services offered will feature on a dedicated Supplier Partnership page of our website and will be included in our communication tools such as the FETSA website, the monthly newsletter and the annual management report ViSiBiliTy: Name and logo with summary of services offered will feature on a dedicated Supplier Partnership page of our website and will be included in our communication tools such as the FETSA website, the monthly newsletter and the annual management report which are circulated to senior industry executives. You will be entitled to draft an article in a quarterly supplier partnership newsletter. which are circulated to senior industry executives. You will be entitled to draft an article in a quarterly supplier partnership newsletter.ViSiBiliTy: Name and logo with summary of services offered will feature on a dedicated Supplier Partnership page of our website and will be included in our communication tools such as the FETSA website, the monthly newsletter and the annual management report which are circulated to senior industry executives. You will be entitled to draft an article in a quarterly supplier partnership newsletter. services Fire fi ghting/protection companies Loading equipment manufacturers which are circulated to senior industry executives. You will be entitled to draft an article in a quarterly supplier partnership newsletter. FeTSA knoWledge exChAnge: Possibility to organise industry seminars on relevant topics and/or with the approval of the relevant chair/secretariat to present new/emerging FeTSA knoWledge exChAnge: Possibility to organise industry seminars on relevant topics and/or with the approval of the relevant chair/secretariat to present new/emerging technologies and legislation to our committees/task forces. which are circulated to senior industry executives. You will be entitled to draft an article in a quarterly supplier partnership newsletter. FeTSA knoWledge exChAnge: Possibility to organise industry seminars on relevant topics and/or with the approval of the relevant chair/secretariat to present new/emerging technologies and legislation to our committees/task forces. Companies providing auditing and management systems Tank farm construction and maintenance companies

Surveying companies FeTSA knoW FeTSA knoWledge exChAnge: Possibility to organise industry seminars on relevant technologies and legislation to our committees/task forces. ledge exChAnge: Possibility to organise industry seminars on relevant topics and/or with the approval of the relevant chair/secretariat to present new/emerging technologies and legislation to our committees/task forces.pArT oF our CommuniTy: Use of FETSA meeting rooms in Brussels at preferential prices (subject to availability). You can use the FETSA logo on your website and printed materials in order to state that you are part of the FETSA supplier partnership. pArT oF our CommuniTy: Use of FETSA meeting rooms in Brussels at preferential prices (subject to availability). You can use the FETSA logo on your website and printed materials in order to state that you are part of the FETSA supplier partnership. topics and/or with the approval of the relevant chair/secretariat to present new/emerging technologies and legislation to our committees/task forces.pArT oF our CommuniTy: Use of FETSA meeting rooms in Brussels at preferential prices (subject to availability). You can use the FETSA logo on your website and printed materials in order to state that you are part of the FETSA supplier partnership. Port authorities (Tank) Cleaning companies Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) control automation services

Database providers pArT oF our CommuniTy: Use of FETSA meeting rooms in Brussels at preferential prices (subject to availability). You can use the FETSA logo on your website and printed materials in order to state that you are part of the FETSA supplier partnership. inSighT: You will receive our exclusive members only newsletter and annual management report so you are kept informed about the challenges we face in EU policy. inSighT: You will receive our exclusive members only newsletter and annual management report so you are kept informed about the challenges we face in EU policy. pArT oF our CommuniTy: Use of FETSA meeting rooms in Brussels at preferential prices (subject to availability). You can use the FETSA logo on your website and printed inSighT: You will receive our exclusive members only newsletter and annual management Magazines and other industry publications materials in order to state that you are part of the FETSA supplier partnership.report so you are kept informed about the challenges we face in EU policy. inSighT: You will receive our exclusive members only newsletter and annual management report so you are kept informed about the challenges we face in EU policy. priCepriCe inSighT: You will receive our exclusive members only newsletter and annual management priCe · Annual fee of EUR 2500 (excl. VAT.) · Annual fee of EUR 2500 (excl. VAT.) report so you are kept informed about the challenges we face in EU policy. · · Billed annually at the start of the subscription period (1 January).· Billed annually at the start of the subscription period (1 January).Annual fee of EUR 2500 (excl. VAT.) · priCe· All applications for Supplier Partnership are subject to approval the FETSA Executive Committee, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Supplier Partnership Agreement. · All applications for Supplier Partnership are subject to approval the FETSA Executive Committee, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Supplier Partnership Agreement. Billed annually at the start of the subscription period (1 January). · Annual fee of EUR 2500 (excl. VAT.) · Competition law must be respected.· Competition law must be respected.priCe· All applications for Supplier Partnership are subject to approval the FETSA Executive Committee, · Billed annually at the start of the subscription period (1 January). and subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Supplier Partnership Agreement. · Annual fee of EUR 2500 (excl. VAT.) · Competition law must be respected.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE FETSA SUPPLIER PARTNERSHIP?

We off er you privileged access and visibility to senior decision makers in the tank storage industry through our events, publications and meetings. Specifi c benefi ts include: NETWORKING: One complimentary ticket to attend our Annual FETSA Conference and AGM Dinner exclusively dedicated to FETSA members, conference speakers and high level stakeholders from the EU political environment. First option for sponsorship opportunities around the Annual Conference and related events. VISIBILITY: Name and logo with summary of services off ered will feature on a dedicated Supplier Partnership page of our website and will be included in our communication tools such as the FETSA website, the monthly newsletter and the annual management report which are circulated to senior industry executives. You will be entitled to draft an article in a quarterly supplier partnership newsletter. Who Should join? FETSA KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE: Possibility to organise industry seminars on relevant topics and/or with the approval of the relevant chair/secretariat to present new/ emerging technologies and legislation to our committees/task forces. The FETSA Supplier Partnership is open to companies that do business with tank storage companies or have an affinity with the tank storage sector. This includes, but is not limited to: PART OF OUR COMMUNITY: Use of FETSA meeting rooms in Brussels at preferential prices (subject to availability). You can use the FETSA logo on your website and printed materials in order to state that you are part of the FETSA Technical equipment providers supplier partnership. Companies providing safety services INSIGHT: You will receive our exclusive members only newsletter and annual management report so you are kept informed about the challenges we face in EU policy. Fire fighting/protection companies

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•Annual fee of EUR 2500 (excl. VAT.) Loading equipment manufacturers • Billed annually at the start of the subscription period (1 January). • All applications for Supplier Partnership are subject to approval the FETSA Executive Committee, and subject to the terms and conditions set Companies providing auditing out in the Supplier Partnership Agreement. and management systems • Competition law must be respected.

Tank farm construction and maintenance companies

Who Should join?

The FETSA Supplier Partnership is open to companies that do business with tank storage companies or have an affinity with the tank storage sector. This includes, but is not limited to: Technical equipment providers Companies providing safety services Surveying companies Fire fighting/protection companies Loading equipment manufacturers Port authorities

Companies providing auditing (Tank) Cleaning companies and management systems Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I)

Tank farm construction and control automation services maintenance companies Database providers Magazines and other industry publications

Surveying companies Port authorities (Tank) Cleaning companies Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) control automation services Database providers

Magazines and other industry publications

FETSA TANK STORAGE CONFERENCE 2023

14-16 March 2023 l Rotterdam Ahoy, the Netherlands

· All applications for Supplier Partnership are subject to approval the FETSA Executive Committee, and subject to the terms and conditions set out in the Supplier Partnership Agreement. · Billed annually at the start of the subscription period (1 January).Contact Ravi Bhatiani, rb@fetsa.eu for further information