Exploration and planning
Solving with reality capture
Create high-quality maps and elevation models
Export and use for location CAD models
Collect all facility data in one place
Use high-res 3D photogrammetry engine for accurate geological modeling and civil designs
High-accuracy mapping
The problem
It's crucial that you obtain high accuracy maps of large areas, whether planning for construction or performing site maintenance. However, traditional methods of surveying are costly and time-consuming.
The solution
DroneDeploy offers high-accuracy mapping using ground control points (GCPs), real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) and post processed kinematic (PPK) options. Once captured, send TIFF and CAD exports to design software.
Automate site fly overs using DroneDeploy's flight planning software. Launch repeatable flight plans over time to get a full picture of site conditions and speed up the entire surveying process.
The value
High accuracy maps completed in days, not weeks
Reduce number of people on site and improve safety
Cut training and management overheads
Direct cost reduction on third party surveying
Initial site measurements
The problem
Traditional ground-based measurements performed by workers are time consuming, difficult to repeat and cover large areas that are challenging to map accurately. Additionally, measurements are often taken in hazardous environments, putting workers at risk.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can use drones to autonomously capture data on on oil and gas leases, wellsite pads and other locations from the air. Once data is collected and uploaded to DroneDeploy, you can automatically calculate elevation and volumetric data. These accurate measurements can be used for development plans.
The value
Expedite time to begin work (days vs. weeks)
Reduce the cost of manual measurements
Make your measurement process repeatable
Improve operational safety
DroneDeploy’s photogrammetry engine lets you create high resolution 3D models of formation outcrops. Use 3D viewer and 3D annotation tools to outline deposition layers and describe faults to incorporate into your geological modeling.
Geological data from outcrops
The problem
Geological exploration requires high-quality information to predict where rocks and fluids are in the subsurface. Having accurate geological models is extremely important for the whole site development.
The solution
Drones are a cost-effective way of collecting data in difficult-to-reach areas. DroneDeploy creates high-res 3D models so you can correlate bedding and fault data and create synthetic virtual logs validated by real outcrops.
The value
Outcrop models act as an important data reference when questions and new techniques arise
Synthetic digital logs provide analogous data to compare with well-log patterns in subsurface
Structurally oriented 3D models enable a virtual field experience with fewer logistical and safety challenges
Permitting and construction
Surveying land for O&G development takes significant time and effort. The old way of construction tracking and project management is more complicated than it needs to be, and site visits can be costly.
Solving with reality capture
Expedite the permitting process with consolidated reporting
Minimize site visits with remote operations
Use automation to streamline processes
Reduce rework and non-productive time
Improve communication between teams
Avoid going over time and budget
Logistics planning
The problem
Serious issues can arise if location planning isinadequate for drilling, side tracking, work overs, equipment installation and retrofitting. Costly rework may be required to rectify issues.
The solution
Use DroneDeploy’s automated drone flights to create highly-detailed maps of your site in days versus weeks. Then use these maps to record measurements and annotations, create equipment layouts, measure equipment placing and plan for safety areas – managing all your logistical planning in one platform.
The value
Avoid critical errors in wellsite execution planning
Reduce rework and speed up completion cycles
Eliminate unnecessary trips to your site
Improve site safety through increased site visibility
Full documentation for easier compliance audits
Use annotation tools to create layouts for completions or more permanent operations.
This can all be completed within DroneDeploy,
without the need for any CAD software.
With predefined dimensions, rotation, and the ability to copy and paste annotations, you can create a site layout seamlessly
Leverage annotation colors and titles to convey information across teams
Ensure effective placement of equipment to improve logistics workflows
DroneDeploy’s Stockpile AI helps you find and measure the stockpile volumes on your map and copy volume measurement annotations from one map to another to track stockpile change and inventory.
Use DroneDeploy to take accurate measurements, helping you plan berm volume and placements and create space for spill and leakage protection.
Quickly plan berm space and placements
Reduce human error in measurements
Refer to a single source of truth
Ensure berm fits original designs
Use DroneDeploy's annotation tools to mark locations and develop accurate plans for construction. Plan ahead for safety areas at your facility.
Ensures locations are accurate
All teams work off the same digital plans
Helps your facility meet pre-build regulations
Volume measurement
The problem
Getting accurate volume measurements is costly and time consuming when using manual methods. Traditional methods can also pose safety risks to team members.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can quickly perform accurate earthworks measurements – including volume measurements for removal, pit volumes for landfill and volumetric stockpile analysis. This data can all be captured in hours instead of weeks.
The value
Replace third-party surveyors
Survey land in hours rather than weeks
Reduce the amount of people needed on site
All of your stockpile reporting in one place
Measuring material for removal
In DroneDeploy, you can measure stockpile volumes fast using drone flights, without the need of a third-party surveyor.
Generate accurate stockpile reports quickly and capture essential metrics such as material density and cost.
Traditional surveys take weeks to complete and
only provide linear point data. With DroneDeploy's photogrammetry mapping, we get elevation data
to create plans for equipment placements and
pump sizes for fluid pump selection. This data is very accurate and creates quick turnaround
times for design proposals, allowing us to
make faster decisions.
Operations and maintenance
Facility inspections are time-consuming, challenging and often dangerous. Data stays siloed, making it hard to get a complete picture of your facility's assets for efficient O&M.
Solving with reality capture
Automate maintenance inspections
Reduce rework and non-productive time
Improve safety by automating inspections
Track annotations and comments across multiple functions
Use AI and machine learning to create predictive maintenance workflows
Bring data into multiple platforms, including GIS and asset management systems
Build intelligent, predictive processes
Create a digital trail of the work performed
Remote operations
The problem
Facilities may be spread across hundreds or thousands of locations in remote areas, making them hard to manage at once. Poor documentation causes teams to work on outdated info, leading to mistakes and rework.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can instantly view your facilities from anywhere using drones and robots. Robots can be left on-site to perform on-demand inspections and investigate issues. Automated drone flights and drone in a box solutions can be used to document hard to reach areas. Maintain a responsive, up-to-date 3D representation of oil and gas facilities without setting foot on-site.
The value
Reduce trips to remote facilities
Catch mistakes early to avoid costly repairs
Reduce the need for workers in hazardous areas
Improve documentation of facilities
HSE training
The problem
Onsite HSE training is valuable but can have inconsistencies, high expenditures and put employees and contractors in potentially hazardous environments.
The solution
DroneDeploy allows you to combine aerial, ground and other data from a variety of assets to create virtual replicas of sites. As a result, your team can train on interactive and accurate models, reducing safety risks.
The value
Significantly reduce training expenses
Employees and contractors can participate in remote training from different locations and time zones
Train large numbers of workers simultaneously and scale safety education efforts
Remote training is more consistent and standardized
Avoid putting trainees in risky environments
Piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) verification
The problem
Physical piping, flanges, valves and P&IDs are often outdated or do not match the schematics. This confusion may lead to inadequate planning, extended maintenance times, rework and miscommunication.
The solution
Use DroneDeploy to create detailed maps and 360 walkthroughs for a visual representation of the P&ID without being at the field. This allows you to remotely verify P&ID accuracy, valve types and redline accuracy – helping operations relate the actual view to schematics.
The value
Resolve issues when P&ID schematics are incorrect
Use walkthroughs to close the loop in process hazard assessments instead of manual verification
Catch inconsistencies and reduce risk of rework
John Julius, TechOps Coordinator | California Resources Corporation (CRC)
We deploy remote robots in O&G facilities, collect the data and push it to our cloud system or customer system to create dynamic digital twins of facilities.
Equipment and thermal inspections
The problem
Repairs of high pressure equipment, steam generators and boilers are often reactive due to late detection of issues. Equipment failures can interrupt operations and lead to costly repairs.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can automate thermal and radiometric inspections through mapping and photo reports captured with drones or robots. This allows you to launch proactive visual and thermal inspections from both the air and ground, so you can detect anomalies before pinholes, engine overheating or tank buildup escalates.
The value
Plan and schedule proactive maintenance, before higher cost breakdown repairs occur
Pinpoint problems and shorten maintenance cycles
Perform more regular thermal and visual inspections
Reduce equipment failures and production losses
Reduce non-productive time
Improve worker safety
Remote robotic inspections
The problem
Walking a facility to perform manual inspections is tedious and time-consuming, and can put workers in hazardous situations. Manual inspections are also prone to human error. Remote facilities can be difficult to access and site visits incur significant travel costs.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can send robots to walk your facility on a regular basis. Equip robots with customized payloads, including PTZ cameras and thermal sensors. Plan entirely automated robot missions and schedule these to repeat at fixed times, or send robots on ad-hoc remote inspections. Use robots to capture gauge readings or create 360 virtual walkthroughs of facilities.
The value
Detect leaks or abnormal gauge readings
Perform repeatable inspections of your site
Confirm IoT or SCADA sensor readings onsite before sending out expensive personnel
Reduce cost of manually inspecting sites
Minimize the risk of human error
Engineers can monitor multiple sites remotely
Asset-centric missions let you import a list of assets into DroneDeploy and automatically generate a robot mission, using the optimal route to inspect the assets.
With DroneDeploy Automation, you can generate autonomous robot missions based on assets and points of interest using our powerful flow engine. DroneDeploy automatically generates a dynamic mission to efficiently inspect these assets, even across large sites.
Inspecting thousands of assets across a large, remotely located facility requires high cost employees working long hours in hazardous conditions. By using robots for regular operator rounds, you can keep workers safe and out of hazardous areas. The robots carry multiple payloads and capture high value data with better accuracy and consistency.
Emissions monitoring
The problem
Oil and gas facilities are already hazardous areas, and gas leaks may not be detected by personnel on-site until the situation has become serious.
The solution
DroneDeploy lets you deploy autonomous ground robots and aerial drones to your facility, equipped with sensors that capture detailed thermal data. This data can be pulled into DroneDeploy to create geolocated heatmaps on top of your high-res drone imagery. Drones and robots with gas sensors can also be used to pinpoint exactly where a leak is located. Before sending in teams for repairs, robots can identify and assess the situation so they can be prepared.
The value
Find small leaks before they become larger issues
Automate your reporting on gas levels
Adhere to compliance and regulatory requirements
Keep your teams out of hazardous areas
Up-to-date digital twins
The problem
Many leading energy companies are using 2D digital replicas of sites; but these are often outdated and lack the benefits of 3D visualization.
The solution
Bring 3D mapping to your facility's digital twin with DroneDeploy. Our platform combines drone data from the air and LiDAR or 360 photos from the ground to create a full virtual replica of your site. Robots can walk your entire site autonomously, helping ensure your digital twins are up to date. You can also remotely monitor sites via your digital twin by using AI/ML to read analogue gauges and identify thermal anomalies in DroneDeploy.
The value
Create high-res models with 3D photogrammetry
Update your digital twins with live data captured and calculated by autonomous robots
Remotely access your site and assets on a regular and repeatable basis
DJI Dock integration
The problem
Many oil and gas facilities are moving towards unmanned operations to improve safety and efficiency, which requires new ways of performing routine inspections.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you’ll soon be able to remotely plan and trigger DJI Dock flights right from the interface. Once launched, all media captured will be automatically uploaded and processed in your DroneDeploy project for visualization, analysis and reporting.
The value
Improve preventative maintenance by automating flights and capturing data more regularly
Remove workers from hazardous environments
Avoid costly scaffolding and people working at heights
Automate equipment inspections (flares, wells, tanks, compressors, separators, etc) with RGB and thermal
Detect methane emissions with TDLAS and OGI sensors
Seamless system integration
The problem
You have your own in-house or bespoke asset management system as a central source of truth. Any new platform needs to be integrated into your existing system and workflows.
The solution
DroneDeploy integrates seamlessly with any asset management system via APIs. For example, the media, metadata and asset IDs captured from a robotics walkthrough can be easily pushed to your existing workflows or systems.
The value
Our unified platform slots seamlessly into current operations and workflows
Create a central place for all of your data
Minimize IT maintenance efforts and cost
Make the most of your existing software investments
Avoid retraining staff on entirely new systems
Esri ArcGIS integration
The problem
Many energy companies rely on Esri with geographically widespread assets. Keeping all asset data spatially referenced and interconnected is a key operational goal.
The solution
DroneDeploy offers a range of integrations with oil and gas software solutions including Esri, so you can maximize the value of your data. Other integrations include Data Lake and AMS. Harness your data across multiple platforms.
The value
Harness the intelligence you're already using
Push scheduling data seamlessly into existing systems
Avoid having to retrain and rebuild processes
We use Esri ArcGIS as a ground source of truth for our geospatial assets. With DroneDeploy WMTS and WFS services all our drone imagery is automatically synced up to ArcGIS and always up to date.
Danny Allen, Geospatial Supervisor | ConocoPhillips.
The problem
Inspecting a 600-foot concrete tower is dangerous, time-consuming and costly for ground teams.
The solution
DroneDeploy lets you capture the entire 600-foot concrete structure without putting teams at risk. The aerial data captured can be used to create a detailed 3D map of the tower, complete with native resolution.
Reduce time and cost of data collection
Avoid the need for expensive scaffolding
Cut inspection reporting from weeks to just 3-7 days
Cut the average $500K per inspection to a fraction of the cost
Distribute reports to stakeholders within hours
Inspecting Tanks
The problem
Teams need an efficient way to inspect and document tanks, and understand where they exist geospatially.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can create high-res 2D/3D models of your tanks and locations, enabling safe remote inspections. All data from asset imagery in DroneDeploy can be seamlessly integrated into downstream systems.
Quickly assess tank conditions without extensive scaffolding or rope access
Significantly reduce chance of accidents and injuries
Save labor costs due to fewer boots on the ground
More regular inspections = early detection of issues
Drastically reduce the time to finish tank inspections
Asset succession and planning
Every asset reaches a point where it needs to be upgraded. You need a single source of truth for these changes. Accurate tracking is crucial for reducing cost and time to launch.
Solving with reality capture
Easily adopt pads and processing facilities through the stages of asset succession (e.g. retrofitting processing equipment as associated with increased water cut, need for additional pumping equipment and produced water storage or re-injection)
Use virtual twins to view asset history
Get as-built 3D models
Accurately measure and retrofit equipment
Plan for any additional equipment required
Document sites for operational transitions
Midstream facility modeling
The problem
Facilities are evolving and changing all the time and it is often costly and time consuming to stay up to date with these changes. Checking changes can expose your facility to human error and extra downtime.
The solution
Use DroneDeploy to create digital models of midstream facilities and track changes. Perform regular flights and walkthroughs to maintain updated aerial and ground maps of sites. Mark and track assets for upgrades and retrofits. Manage teams through annotations on your 3D facility models.
The value
Reduce management and maintenance costs
Improve communication and documentation
Reduce the cost of regular inspections
Improve efficiency between teams
Keeping methane in the pipe at scale
The challenge
According to McKinsey, about 57% of the oil and gas industry’s carbon footprint comes from methane emissions. Fortunately, 75% of those emissions can be eliminated with a preventative approach and the use of technology. With hundreds of facilities, California Resources Corporation (CRC) was spending significant time and resources creating visual documentation of its equipment to reduce unnecessary methane emissions – it needed a better way.
Success
Starting in 2018, the CRC began using drone mapping to transform aerial data into virtual 2D maps and 3D models of pad locations, pipelines, processing equipment and pumping stations, saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in time and labor costs over previous methods.
The drone operations team now can import scan data into DroneDeploy by adding the methane visualization layer to existing maps, which allows them to quickly identify and monitor unexpected leaks. If a probable leak is detected, sometimes it can be fixed right away.
Issues such as loose connections, an open bypass valve, or an unlit pilot at a flare stack can be the cause of the leak. More complex issues, such as a leaking compressor seal or faulty leaking valve, typically require a maintenance request. By taking this workflow to the sky and to the cloud, CRC has simplified its emissions monitoring process, ensuring that methane stays in the pipe.
of the industry’s carbon footprint come from methane emissions
of all methane emissions can be avoided
Injection wells and water facilities
The problem
Geographically remote locations are time-consuming and expensive to visit. As a result, access to information may be outdated or limited.
The solution
Perform remote on-the-ground inspections with DroneDeploy's walkthrough feature, giving you a 360 perspective of your site. Through the platform you can create one shared dashboard to access all your asset information from anywhere in the world.
The value
Get real-time data for operational meetings
Reduce the need for off-cycle maintenance
Reduce non-productive time
Improve safety with reduced travel
Immediate knowledge of operational footprint
Reclamation and conservation
Improving sustainability is a critical priority for the oil and gas industry. If you can't track it, you won't understand the impact of your assets. But third party services are expensive and don't show the full picture.
Solving with reality capture
Track the reclamation progress with reality capture and annotation tools
Measure site re-vegetation
Document the carbon footprint of sites
Minimize the cost of reconciliation inspection and reporting
Revegetation calculation and plant health
The problem
Vegetation coverage may need to be calculated for pipelines, ROW, well sites or remediation areas. These measurements are often done manually, but this is time-consuming, costly and prone to human error.
The solution
DroneDeploy can be used to capture an area and provide a report detailing current vegetation coverage, as well as measurements and vegetation encroachment risks.
The value
Reduce trips to remote locations
Increase accuracy by calculating entire asset area, rather than multiple hoop sections
Provide detailed insight to teams and agencies
Reduce overall time to generate reports
DroneDeploy lets you use drones for more comprehensive monitoring and planning to avoid environmental impact.
Natural habitat analysis
The problem
Understanding the vegetation and habitat conditions of right of way (ROW), well sites and pipeline locations is difficult as they are often in remote locations. It’s hard to track change over time for large areas.
The solution
Use DroneDeploy to gain instant insight into the condition of ROWs, shorelines and pad remediations. This can be achieved via our RGB inspection, elevation and thermal models, vegetation models and cut/fill analysis tools.
The value
Create detailed reports on the entire asset portfolio
Save significant time and costs on habitat analysis
Track habitat impact over time
Reduce your overall operational footprint
Use DroneDeploy’s volume annotation tool to perform containment calculations, and use our EDGE annotations in 3D Export geotiff and 3D DXF for CAD analysis of flooding zones.
Stormwater measurements
The problem
Accumulation of water on site can create safety hazards and potential accidents. Excess water can erode soil, damage roads and compromise the structural integrity of facilities and equipment.
The solution
With DroneDeploy, you can easily document existing site conditions. Create drainage modeling and track progress over time of retention pond development. 3D models provide accurate measurements for berm spill containment for your SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure) plans.
The value
Prevent contaminants from entering nearby water
Reduce soil erosion that can impact water quality downstream
Mitigate the accumulation of water, reducing the risk of accidents and equipment damage
With DroneDeploy thermal data processing it’s easy to keep consistent track records of temperature anomalies and changes over time. Some tools you’ll find in the platform include: thermal mapping area annotations and issue markups.
Steamflood injection thermal mapping
The problem
Fields with shallow steam injection wells may have steam breakthroughs on the ground and equipment. These breakthroughs are not visible with regular RGB mapping techniques.
The solution
Use DroneDeploy to launch thermal and radiometric mapping of large areas and gain an instant audit of steam injection infrastructure. Use these maps to detect thermal anomalies and take a proactive approach to prevent steam breakthroughs and equipment failure.
The value
Mitigate harmful environmental impacts
Reduce analysis turnaround time for field steam injection profile optimization
Improve steam flood pattern and overall field production
Catch equipment overheating and leaking issues before the consequences become serious
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With DroneDeploy thermal data processing it’s easy to keep consistent track records of temperature anomalies and changes over time. Some tools you’ll find in the platform include: thermal mapping area annotations and issue markups.
Leak detection
The problem
When a spill occurs, you want to catch it and stop it as soon as possible. Conducting audits to report acreage, or helping transition assets after an oil and gas merger can also be costly and time consuming.
The solution
Vegetation indexing in DroneDeploy helps you identify possible leaks along ROWs/equipment boundaries. With automated linear mapping, you can capture large areas around your site in less time.
The value
Save significant time on data collection
Identify risks before the problem escalates
Mitigate safety risks and remove people from dangerous situations
