Drones for Pipeline Inspection

Oil and gas industry drone applications.

American flag to depict Vision Aerial drones made in America

Vision Aerial drones are proudly made in America.

The gas and oil industry uses drones for pipeline inspection, mineral exploration, infrastructure inspection, and crisis monitoring. Drones help maximize factory uptime, improve worker safety, and accurately monitor incidents. Vision Aerial systems are the perfect choice for the oil and gas industry because they are rugged, reliable, economical, and can carry a range of payloads.

Oil & Gas Industry Applications:

Pipeline Inspections
Refinery Inspections
Leak Detection & Repair

Spill Monitoring
Mineral Exploration

Maximize Uptime

Improve Safety

Increase Productivity

Prevent Incidents

Why Vision Aerial?

Maximize Uptime

Improve Safety

Increase Productivity

Prevent Incidents

Why Vision Aerial?

Maximize Plant Uptime and Reduce Costs

In the past, inspections in the oil and gas industry might require a plant to shut down, halting production. Sometimes helicopters or complex scaffolding were necessary. The cost of lost production plus special equipment was considerable. Now, drones perform inspections while operations continue for a fraction of the cost.

Improve Worker Safety and Reduce Liability

In the past, inspectors had to enter dangerous environments to check of chimneys, smokestacks, and storage tanks. To reach high locations, workers would rappel down refinery equipment or erect extensive scaffolding. Now, oil workers can stay safely out of harm’s way while they send a drone into a high-risk environment.

Use Drones as a Force Multiplier

Repeat inspections may be the best course of action to prevent a problem. However, most energy companies can’t afford to send teams of engineers or roustabouts driving from asset to asset, looking for a problem. Drones can be used as a force multiplier. One or two drone operators can pre-program asset inspections using mission planning software. Then they can repeat automated flights as necessary. When a problem such as a leak or soil erosion is found, a crew can then be sent to resolve the issue.

team of workers laying a pipeline with welders

Detect Leaks Before They Happen

Aside from collecting high-resolution images, drones carry technology such as gas-detection sensors or thermal cameras. These are used to ensure everything is working correctly. Thermographic cameras can detect if pipe insulation is thinning or damaged, so fixes can be applied before they rupture.

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Why Use Vision Aerial Drones for Pipeline Inspections?

Capable Platforms

Long flight times combined with a substantial payload capacity ensure you have the power to get your job done.

Easy To Fly

Less than 4 hours of training time, intuitive controls, and ultra-smooth flight mean your team can focus on what matters.

Payload Versatility

Our drones can carry all the best-in-class cameras and sensors. They easily adapt to support your missions as they evolve.

Rapid Deployment

Vision Aerial drones fold for easy transport. Go from case to flight in under 2 minutes.

Recommended System for Gas Leak Detection

Vector with a GIS-320 optical gas imaging system

Flir Workswell GIS-320 gas detection sensor

Vector Solid State Indefinite Flight Package

Vector hexacopter, case, controller, battery charger and tools

Thermal image from a Flir Workswell GIS-320 gas detection sensor

Vision Aerial Optical Gas Imaging System

The Vision Aerial Optical Gas Imaging System comes with everything you need to visualize over 200 kinds of gasses that are invisible to the naked eye. The system includes a heavy-duty Vector hexacopter drone with a Flir/Workswell GIS-320 Optical Gas Imaging payload mounted on a Gremsy T7 gimbal.

The Flir/Workswell GIS-320 gas imaging drone camera is capable of streaming or capturing still images or videos. The workflow is easy, simply use the video while in flight to look for gas leaks. You can also record images and videos to watch later or import into Workswell’s Thermolab software for analysis. The integrated software features multiple color palettes and an HSM mode that allow you to change views in order to detect gasses more easily in various environments.

The optical gas imaging system is easy to setup and use. It comes in a waterproof Pelican case for easy transport. The Indefinite Flight Package allows you to fly back to back missions without waiting for batteries to charge. It also comes in a separate case that has storage space for your ground control station. Both transport cases can fit into an SUV or truck.

The Vector hexacopter is one of the most affordable heavy-lift drones available. It can carry up to 11 lb payloads. The Payload Connection System allows you to easily swap payloads in the field. This system is highly adaptable as it allows you to add new payloads over time as your mission evolves. For example, when your organization is ready to add a high-resolution camera or a lidar for surveying and mapping applications, your Vector can adapt.