We all know how the oil and gas industry has been providing significant facilities all over the world while supplying the energy needed for businesses and transportation. With that being said, operating this industry requires much technical knowledge to comprehend the complicated structures of pipelines, storage tanks and offshore platforms. Such technical knowledge enables experts to ensure that everything is working safely and efficiently.
Conventional methods of inspecting the oil and gas sector were quite demanding as they not only threatened life but also took a lot of time and money. Now, with drones, inspection has become quite easy as drones are equipped with cameras and sensors that can inspect the areas that are hard to catch. Drones can easily fly up to long pipelines to take a closer look for any potential damage and storage tanks to spot cracks. But that’s not enough; there are various regulations and most promising practices that need to be handled to ensure that there is safe use of drones, thus causing no accidents or harming the environment.
Local Aviation Laws
In every country, there are specific sets of laws that need to be followed; no matter in any industry, one needs to follow some regulations. These laws and rules guarantee that no one in the environment is going to be harmed by drones, so for that, drones need to be registered with the local aviation authority. Once registered with this authority, drone operators and pilots get the license and certification that allows them to operate drones.
Oil And Gas Sector Rules
According to aviation laws, drones are not allowed to be operated in busy areas where residents are residing since it can harm them. One needs to have special permission before making drones fly to sensitive locations.
Drone operators need to follow specific guidelines before inspecting hazardous areas having flammable materials or gases. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines in detail for the safety of workers and equipment.
Trained Pilots
The process of drone inspection, especially in the oil and gas sector, is not as easy as it seems. There needs to be trained pilots who know how to operate drones in complex environments. Carefully handling complex environments might include navigating tight spaces, dealing with strong winds, and operating in oil refineries and offshore rigs. In many countries, pilots must have certifications and licenses in order to fly drones legally. Hence, hiring trained pilots minimizes the risks of liability since they can handle unexpected crises wisely.
Use Right Technology
Without the use of suitable technology, it is nearly impossible to have better results. Using the right technology means investing in high-resolution cameras that can capture clear images of cracks, rust, or loose parts. It also includes using thermal imaging cameras that can detect any heating issues or hotspots that can risk life if not addressed on time.
While functioning in the oil and gas sectors, drones should be provisioned with gas sensors that could detect dangers, and also advanced drones should be capable enough to use artificial intelligence in order to compile and then analyze the data.
Safety Regulations
There are many useful techniques that drone operators can follow in order to operate well in the oil and gas industry; these practices help them identify the risks and potential hazards. Pilots should know about explosive gases, high temperatures and how to operate the drone in thin areas. In red alert areas, specially designed drones should be used that are safe to use around the flammable materials. There are special rules to be followed around the no fly zones, like drones are not allowed to fly near dangerous equipment or zones with strong electromagnetic force.
Benefits Of Following Safe Practices And Regulations
Apart from that following are the benefits that would follow you after applying set rules
- It will ensure the safety of workers and equipment used during the inspection processes.
- While following all the rules and regulations a machine can do all the tasks that once had to be done by workers, thus it would reduce the risk of accidents.
- Drones can inspect large areas, providing accurate data without shutting down the operations.
Conclusions
Without any doubt, it is quite evident that drones have significantly improved the inspection process in the oil and gas industry. However, it is crucial to follow all the rules and regulations that the government sets to ensure safe and successful operations, including complying with the local aviation laws and using the right technology.
