SHELL BRENT DELTA DECOMMISSIONING
Sector Oil Gas & Petrochemical
Region Europe
Due to our extensive track record and ability to fly underneath platforms (a GPS denied environment), the client deemed Cyberhawk the best fit for the project. Previous efforts using scaffolding and rope access were unsuccessful due to the inaccessibility and the wild sea state which often washed the scaffold away. With the use of drones, the client was able to reach an informed decision as to whether a single lift of the platform was even possible based upon a condition assessment of the underdeck.
This inspection, which took place in 2012, was the world’s first underdeck inspection using drones. Cyberhawk faced a number of challenges throughout the inspection. With no GPS signal while flying the UAV underdeck, the team relied heavily on their piloting skills as no automated functions could be used. Since then, numerous inspections of the underdeck have been completed, offering accurate data on the condition of the platform over time.
Recently, our technology also allowed the client’s engineers to make a final thorough assessment prior to decommissioning, by using a 3d model created by Cyberhawk by means of photogrammetry. This model was compared against the design model for discrepancies, as often modifications are made which aren’t fed back to the design team.
Due to our extensive track record and ability to fly underneath platforms (a GPS denied environment), the client deemed Cyberhawk the best fit for the project. Previous efforts using scaffolding and rope access were unsuccessful due to the inaccessibility and the wild sea state which often washed the scaffold away. With the use of drones, the client was able to reach an informed decision as to whether a single lift of the platform was even possible based upon a condition assessment of the underdeck.