Drone Inspections

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are finding applications in an increasing number of industries. They continue to prove their worth in one-time unexpected uses, but where they are starting to add even more value is in historical assessments. Many plants have opted to perform drone inspections annually or biannually to compare the condition of their equipment over time. Thanks to the data collected by drones, key energy stakeholders now have more actionable insights into energy-generating equipment, projects, and operations, empowering them to make smarter decisions.

There are many scenarios where a drone can be used; some of the most common uses are:

Inspections & Mapping
Inspections and mapping services for cell towers, cooling towers, oil and gas infrastructure, solar farms, wind farms, power lines, and nuclear power plants.  The drones are equipped with obstacle avoidance capabilities and can navigate very close structures, allowing them to capture minute details. They can take high-resolution images or video that clearly show cracks, damage, misplaced wires and other defects at elevations and angles that humans cannot access or maneuver. This allows for collection of more comprehensive data without exposing the inspection team to risks.

Confined Space Tank Inspections
Accessing and inspecting the confined spaces in the oil and gas industry, construction sites and other facilities can be challenging. You no longer have to send personnel into unsafe areas or dangerous confined spaces. Drones are designed to easily navigate and operate safely in a wide range of confined spaces while performing the inspection at a fraction of the time and cost of traditional methods.

Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging to detect leaks, faulty structures, and energy loss in the fraction of the time it would take to manually inspect a property. Using drone thermal imaging can detect an area that may be prone to malfunction in the future.

2D/3D Modeling
2D and 3D aerial maps, orthophotomosaic and topographic surveys. Drones capture detailed photos of a large area, allowing you to identify obstacles and take advantage of geo-spatial data.

Using high definition cameras and FLIR thermal imaging technologies and Lidar systems, our network of certified API inspectors and trained UAV pilots provides expertise and personalized support to energy industry companies  looking for drone solutions.

Following each drone inspection, our clients receive a detailed report and deliverables including:

Inspection reports
Infrared and thermal images
High definition videos
High resolution pictures

Point cloud data
DSM, DTM or DEM files

We hold multiple certifications including:

American Petroleum Institute (API)
American Society of Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT)
American Welding Society (AWS)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Personnel Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (PCN)

Drone Inspection Benefits:

Drones can safely inspect systems, such as wind mills, boilers, cable tray, cooler towers, electrical equipment, flare stack, pressure equipment, solar panels, storage tanks and other infrastructure, while they are operating. Using drones help reduce shutdown times and production. They also reduce the requirement for working at unsafe heights and in confined spaces which can be hard to reach or in many cases hazardous. Additionally, drones assist in the improvement of safety and quality while minimizing any negative environmental impact.