Industry Leaders in Oil & Gas Drone Inspections

In an intricate and risky field like the oil and gas industry, safety and efficiency are the topmost priorities—and thanks to drone technology, we can easily have both.

Alleviating the burden of traditional and unsafe practices, drone technology is making waves in the oil and gas industry. From enhancing safety by eliminating the need for human inspectors to enhancing the productivity of daily mandatory inspections, reducing downtime for the industry—oil and gas companies that adapt to drone technology are at the top of the game.

Why Drones Are Critical in Oil and Gas Inspections

It is safe to say that it is widely known that the oil and gas industry operates in such hazardous conditions. Inspections become a life-or-death situation when human inspectors are involved, along with harmful environmental conditions to take into account.

Not only do dangerous conditions need to be considered, but also the cost-efficiency of the operations on hand. We cannot deny that traditional oil and gas inspections and maintenance cost more, not only monetarily but also given other components as well. Drones for oil and gas inspections show their relevance and usefulness in streamlining key areas in operations, namely pipeline routes, access roads, and renewing layouts of infrastructures for new facilities.

Given these harsh circumstances, the drone industry becomes a savior—offering top-notch solutions for everyday needs. Unlike human inspectors, drone technology for oil and gas inspections comes with many advantages, like long-range aerial views, confined space access, thermal/OGI sensors, and accurate real-time data.

Criteria for Selecting Industry Leaders

To know which drones are suited for your needs, here are the following criteria in selecting the best of the best inspection drones for your business:

Technological Capabilities

Precise attention to detail is needed in the daily inspection of units, like pumpjacks, but some inspection points can be difficult to access, making it hard for inspectors to see a full and accurate picture of what they are dealing with. Here’s where drone technology comes in; with drones having close range and multi-angle inspection technology, they are a great investment to have for efficient identification of problems that may arise within an oil and gas site.

Outdated inspection methods often encounter problems when outputs are asked to be digitized, archived, and traced, but with drone technology, inspection data is easily collected, making sure that asset management and maintenance efforts are progressive.

Another technological advantage of drones in oil and gas inspections is their Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, where laser light is used to make in-depth and detailed 3D models for clear-cut visuals of the inspection site. Utilization of Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) and open-path laser sensors is also prominent in emerging drone technologies for oil and gas inspections, as they can detect gas leaks. These sensors are key for analyzing how gas particles interact with light, which allows them to trace levels of methane, limiting downtime for oil and gas inspection companies.

Regulatory Compliance and Certifications

Since drones represent a new technology and advancement for large industries such as oil and gas, strict compliance requirements must be met. Regulations vary by country; there are also differences for each state and locality. These are the different offices responsible for regulations and certifications for drone inspection and inspectors in the oil and gas industry:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration is concerned about drone-specific regulations and certifications for industrial use, specifically for the United States. The following are the key FAA regulations for drone inspections:

• Part 107: This FAA regulation concerns the commercial use of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), which drones are a part of. Businesses that use drones for their operations need to comply with Part 107, which emphasizes the need for pilot certification, drone registrations, and other operational limits.
• Drone Inspector Licensing: Along with the Part 107 regulation, drone pilots need to have proper licensing and certification to legally and competently perform daily inspections. Drone pilots must all have the complete FAA Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) and pass an aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center.

Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC)

The Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC) is responsible for the evaluation of new inspection technologies, like drones for inspections. The METEC tests how useful these drones and their drone-based solutions are for detecting methane emissions. METEC sets the standard for inspection drones for the oil and gas industry. While METEC is based in the United States, METEC is also responsible for methane regulation and certifications for some Southeast Asian countries.

Atmosphères Explosibles (ATEX)

ATEX is responsible for drone technologies based in Europe. They test drones for oil and gas inspections, as they are used for environments that have presumably explosive atmospheres. Inspection drones that are able to pass ATEX certifications ensure that they are safe to use in hazardous and flammable environments that are prone to explosions. If your drones are ATEX certified, these drones for inspection are considered specialized, as this certification is rare.

Global Reach and Regional Dominance

According to Research and Markets, the Drone Inspection and Monitoring global market has a reported value of 16.4 billion USD for 2024 and is foreseen to reach 38.2 billion USD by 2030. This huge global market for drones in inspections and monitoring is primarily driven by the need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the industry.

For the oil and gas drone inspection market, the projected market size for 2025 is set to be at 1.315 billion USD, with a projected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) at 36.6% from 2025 to 2023. There is an increased demand for drones in oil and gas inspections, as they are better at real-time monitoring, and the use of drones alongside technological advancements like automation and AI enhances the drones’ capabilities, making them a viable solution for asset management.

Track Record (with clients)

The oil and gas drone inspections garner a solid track record with their clients, as they give real-time improvements and increases in security and efficiency—the key drivers of the industry. Businesses that use drone technology in their inspections report reduced downtime for their activities, making them strong in the current market.

Innovation in Automation and AI

Drones used for oil and gas inspections, when combined with developing systems, create an effective partnership that enhances inspection processes in the industry. Integration of AI and automated learning with drones is key for better data analysis, which can accurately predict when equipment is about to fail, which is infinitely better for supply and downtime management of a business. Innovative drones also become increasingly adept at giving data accurately, thanks to their customizable nature.