In the oil and gas sector, the safety, integrity, and proper maintenance of the infrastructure are of continuous concern. With the vast networks of pipelines and associated facilities spanning over tough terrains, methods for monitoring right-of-ways (ROW) and the overall health of the critical infrastructure have been resource intensive and time consuming in the past. However, new developments in drone technology are revolutionizing how midstream operators handle the above tasks, and in a positive way, make them more efficient, cost effective, and safe.
At Arch Aerial, we are changing how midstream operators think about operations and maintenance. Using advanced drone technology, we are changing the approach to infrastructure protection, from relying on periodic, low-resolution aerial imagery from planes to emphasizing the need for regular, high-definition drone patrols of pipeline right of ways (ROWs). Drones offer not only faster and more complete patrols but come with many other benefits that improve safety, ensure compliance, and lower operational costs for pipeline operators. Let’s take a deeper look at how drone patrols for ROW protection are improving the industry and providing new value to our clients.
The Importance of ROW Protection in Oil & Gas
A pipeline right of way (ROW) is the area consisting of a pipeline route, including land, water, and air space, where a pipeline is installed or operated. This space must be protected because encroachments or hazards within the right of way of the pipeline can pose safety risks and environmental hazards and result in costly repairs. Thus, for midstream operators, it is necessary to frequently check the ROWs for issues such as:
- Encroachments: Construction, vegetation growth, or unauthorized access can obstruct pipeline operations or potentially lead to damages.
- Environmental hazards: Flooding, sinkholes, and landslides can undermine the safety of pipelines, especially in areas with unstable terrain.
- Corrosion or damage: External factors like temperature fluctuations or weather events can impact the integrity of pipelines, necessitating immediate attention.
Traditionally, ROW patrols were done by ground crews, vehicles or by aerial methods such as helicopters. Although these traditional patrol methods are effective to an extent, they have their limitations in terms of cost, time, and accuracy. With the introduction of drones, which have become a game changing tool for ROW patrols to help in a more detailed and efficient way to keep pipelines safe and intact.
The Role of Drones in ROW Protection
Drones have recently come to be an essential technology for monitoring pipeline Right Of Ways (ROWs) because they are fast, versatile, and can gather high quality data at a distance. Some of the key advantages of drone patrols include:
- Improved Data Quality and Accuracy
High resolution cameras equipped drones can collect images and geospatial data of pipeline Right of Ways (ROWs). This data is far superior to what can be gathered by traditional methods as it can be used to precisely map the ROW, encroachments, vegetation growth or any other potential risk. Drones offer midstream operators well defined, easily analyzed and interpreted data, which is easy to analyze and interpret, thus enhancing decision making.
- Faster and More Efficient Patrols
Whereas ground inspections can take hours or even days depending on the terrain, drones are able to cover vast distances in a relatively short amount of time. Whether the Right of Way (ROW) lies over rugged, remote or hard to access terrain, drones can easily navigate and capture data without placing crews in harm’s way. This leads to faster identification of issues and quicker resolution times.
- Cost Savings
Drone patrols are much more cost efficient than traditional methods like helicopter flights or large ground crews. Helicopters can be costly because of fuel, maintenance and personnel costs, but drones need much fewer resources and can be ready for takeoff at a moment’s notice. This decrease in operating costs allows midstream operators to perform additional inspection tasks, and thus saves money over time.
- Enhanced Safety for Crews
In order to reduce the need for on the ground personnel and limit exposure to hazardous conditions, drones should be used for ROW patrols. Some pipelines are located in difficult environments, such as near steep cliffs, on unstable ground or in densely vegetated areas, where it might be dangerous to send crews. This is where from the air, we can ensure that personnel are not placed in harm’s way while still gathering crucial data using drones flying safely.
- Real-Time Monitoring and Rapid Response
Drones provide real time surveillance of pipeline Right of Way (ROW) which enables midstream operators to resolve problems as they occur. With and constant access to aerial footage and current data, the operators are encroachment, able the to signs detect of any environmental changes damage, in or the the ROW identification that of need problems attention, with be the it infrastructure. the This growth ability of an to respond quickly is vital in preventing potential risks from becoming major problems.
Case Study: ROW Patrols for Encroachment Monitoring
At Arch Aerial, we have used drone patrols for a number of clients in the oil and gas industry with one example being a job where we carried out frequent ROW patrols for a major pipeline operator. The operator was worried about the possibility of encroachments along the Right of Way (ROW) especially in areas with many construction projects and dense vegetation that could compromise the safety of the pipeline.
We used drones mounted with high resolution cameras for routine patrols along the pipeline right of way. These patrols were able to efficiently map out the entire ROW, by means of detailed imagery of where ever encroachment from construction or vegetation was occurring. Our drones were also able to provide accurate measurements of any intrusions or other potential threats to the pipeline, including identifying unauthorized access points and tracking areas that were susceptible to erosion or flooding.
While conducting regular drone-based ROW patrols, the operator was able to identify and correct encroachments early, thus avoiding costly disruptions to their pipeline operations. The ability to perform more frequent, thorough inspections also helped to give the operator peace of mind, knowing they could proactively manage the integrity of their infrastructure.
Expanding Capabilities with BVLOS
The use of BVLOS operations has made it possible to increase the area and frequency of drone patrols. With BVLOS, we don’t have the visible line of sight of the operator, we can then cover more ground with a single flight. This is especially useful for long pipeline systems, in which conventional methods of surveillance can be time consuming and expensive.
Using BVLOS, Arch Aerial can perform pipeline Right of Way (ROW) patrols for miles of infrastructure in a fraction of the time with detailed, real-time data to help midstream operators stay on top of potential issues. We are BVLOS capable, so we can fly drones over large portions of ROW, capture high quality imagery and data, and produce detailed reports with minimal crew involvement and maximum efficiency.
Using BVLOS technology, we are able to do more frequent, and thorough, ROW patrols, which in the end enhance operational efficiency, and lower the cost of maintaining and protecting critical infrastructure.
Why Choose Arch Aerial for ROW Protection?
At Arch Aerial, we are specialists for drone-based solutions that are tailored to the needs of the oil and gas sector. We understand the complexities and challenges of a job and have extensive experience of working with midstream operators to provide efficient, safe and cost-effective patrol services for ROW protection. Our team is equipped with cutting edge drone technology for the highest quality data collection and analysis.
Additionally, we manage all aspects of drone operations, including all the logistics and regulatory requirements, to ensure that our operations are compliant with FAA regulations and or other local laws. Our ability to secure the necessary permits and waivers means that our clients can worry about their core business while we handle the technical and regulatory details.
Conclusion
Drone patrols for ROW protection are changing the way midstream operators manage their pipeline maintenance and monitoring. Drones bring improved data quality, increased efficiency, significant cost savings, and enhanced safety, making them the best solution for protecting critical infrastructure. Whether it’s detecting encroachments, detecting hazards or verifying compliance, drone patrols are an invaluable asset in the modern oil and gas sector.
At Arch Aerial, we are committed to helping our clients ensure the integrity and safety of their pipelines using new drone solutions. You can be assured that your ROW protection efforts are now more productive, cost efficient and effective with our BVLOS capabilities and advanced drone technology.