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Energy Industry Embraces Robotic Inspections
Major energy firms have begun deploying autonomous drones for offshore oil rig inspections, marking a significant shift in industrial maintenance. Aker Solutions recently completed the first beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone operation from their onshore control center in Stavanger, Norway, targeting Aker BP's Edvard Grieg platform in the North Sea.
How the Technology Works
The system features permanently installed drones equipped with advanced sensors and autonomous navigation capabilities. These drones live in specialized docking stations on oil platforms and conduct regular inspection rounds without human intervention. High-resolution imagery and data are transmitted to onshore teams in real-time through integrated communication systems.
Key components include:
- Drone docking infrastructure on offshore platforms
- Onshore control centers with flight operation software
- Airspace and AIS monitoring systems
- Direct communication links with platform leadership
Safety and Efficiency Benefits
This innovation addresses significant challenges in offshore operations. Traditional inspections often require technicians to work at dangerous heights or in confined spaces, sometimes necessitating production shutdowns. Autonomous drones eliminate these risks while providing more consistent data collection.
"We estimate autonomous drones can reduce inspection costs by up to 70%," said Joachim Hovland, Head of Drones and Robotics at Aker Solutions. "Detailed insights that traditionally took days are now available within hours."
Industry Reactions
Anja Dyb, SVP Life Cycle Services at Aker Solutions, emphasized the transformative potential: "Permanently deploying drones on oil platforms—combined with robotics and AI—takes offshore maintenance to a new level, improving safety while reducing costs and increasing efficiency."
Thomas Øvretveit, Aker BP's Director of Operations, confirmed this aligns with their operational strategy: "Robotics and drones will be integral to future offshore observation and inspection tasks."
What's Next
This technology forms part of Aker Solutions' broader digital strategy focusing on AI-powered analytics and machine learning. The consistent data collection enables predictive maintenance by identifying corrosion or structural issues earlier than manual methods. Other energy companies are reportedly exploring similar implementations following this successful pilot.
For more information, visit Aker Solutions and Unmanned Systems Technology.
