Oil & Gas UK issues guidelines for offshore drone use

Oil & Gas UK, a representative organization for the UK offshore oil and gas industry, has published new guidelines for the growing use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) – also known as drones – offshore.

Oil & Gas UK said last Friday that the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Management Standards and Guidelines were developed by a work group set up by the trade body, involving industry and aviation safety experts, plus UAS operators.

Mick Borwell, health, safety and environment director with Oil & Gas UK, said: “A small but increasing number of oil and gas operators are using UAS for inspections predominantly, but also for aerial photography, surveying, and security.

“The technology is particularly attractive for its use in improving safety. For example, sending unmanned aircraft instead of people into confined spaces to conduct inspections reduces risk, and is also effective and efficient. We expect their usage to grow.”

The organization said that the aim of the new guidelines was to achieve consistency with the high safety and operating standards already adopted on the UK Continental Shelf for offshore oil and gas production and helicopter flight operations.

“The intention is to encourage offshore operators planning on using this emerging technology to think about the whole operating and safety system offshore and not just the air vehicle,” added Borwell.

“The guidelines have evolved from lessons learned in recent years and provide information about best practice, procedures and the certification needed to be compliant with UAS regulations. They are an important piece of work addressing the application of new technology to the offshore environment which will help to ensure operations in the North Sea remain as safe as they can be.”

Nick Rogers, Co-founder and Chief Regulatory and Training Officer (CRTO) at the UK-based drone inspection services provider Sky-Futures was part of a panel of experts selected from Oil & Gas UK members tasked with drawing up these drone guidelines for the oil & gas industry.

According to Sky-Futures, the group was made up of representatives from three major oil and gas companies, BP, ConocoPhillips, and Shell, and two drone service providers.