Region: Africa
OFFSHORE FLARE INSPECTION ON AN FPSO IN WEST AFRICA
Sector
Oil Gas & PetrochemicalRegion
AfricaCyberhawk was called upon to inspect a flare on an FPSO off the coast of West Africa in April 2017. Critical damage was detected on the flare tip and since then, Cyberhawk has been asked to closely monitor the damage and report back any potential further degradation. The intent was to defer a costly unplanned shutdown until the flare could be safely replaced three months later.
Due to our international track record, Cyberhawk was chosen as the preferred UAV inspection company to provide accurate data on the condition of the flare on a daily basis, for over three months. An experienced team of two from Cyberhawk, including a flare inspection engineer and offshore qualified inspection pilot, was mobilised to undertake the work. Thanks to our CVI (Close Visual Inspection) techniques, Cyberhawk could advise on the level of the critical condition and assist in predicting the damage development, by sizing the cracks on the flare bolts and predicting any potential dropped object risk.
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Traditionally, this inspection would be completed with the use of a helicopter, however, the level of detail obtainable is nowhere near what is achieved with UAV technology. Furthermore, the need for daily monitoring in critical condition scenarios requires fast mobilisation, and maintaining a safe distance from the asset.
Together with the quicker inspection times, reduced cost of inspection and avoidance of unplanned shutdowns, Cyberhawk’s UAV solution has once again demonstrated what a UAV inspection and engineering company can bring to the offshore oil and gas sector.
SHELL BRENT DELTA DECOMMISSIONING
In 2012, Cyberhawk was selected by oil and gas supermajor, Shell, to carry out a condition based inspection at the Brent Delta platform in the North Sea. This was an ongoing project as part of the decommissioning of the platform that took place in late April 2017. The workscope involved the inspection of the jack up legs and underdeck.
CYBERHAWK COMPLETES FIRST UAV INSPECTION OFFSHORE NIGERIA
Sector
Oil Gas & PetrochemicalRegion
AfricaIn 2016, our team successfully conducted the very first UAV inspection offshore Nigeria, tasked by an oil and gas supermajor to inspect live flares, gas exhausts and structures on one of its platforms.
The alternative inspection method would be to use a rope access team and scaffolding, which takes 2-3 weeks to complete, presents high risks to personnel and can incur huge costs. For flare inspections, this would also require the flare to be shut down, meaning a loss of production time, and thereafter personnel climbing the asset to inspect.
We were appointed due to our extensive track record and impressive results shown in previous projects completed for the operator.
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To undertake our first piece of offshore work in Nigeria, it was essential to secure the necessary flight permissions from the aviation authority.
Our two-man team was mobilised to the platform, consisting of a UAV pilot and an inspection engineer, with each project successfully completed in two days.
AFRICAN SUCCESS CONTINUES FOR CYBERHAWK IN IVORY COAST
Sector
Oil Gas & PetrochemicalRegion
AfricaIn November 2016, we were tasked with carrying out riser, mooring chains and flare inspections for two clients, one being the world’s largest independent crude oil and natural gas producer, the second a global supplier and operator of FPSOs.
Alternatively, this type of inspection would be carried out by a rope access team, however, this method can often create a significant drain on cost and time resources. Our team has successfully completed its first project in the Ivory Coast, which has strengthened our credentials in Africa after previous work in Nigeria and Ghana.
Our previous track-record with these clients saw Cyberhawk emerge as the preferred supplier for this project.
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The skills our pilots and engineers possess allowed the team to successfully complete the inspection in two days. We discovered a multitude of cracks in the tip of the flare, providing data which allowed engineers to assess the condition of the asset and make repair or replacement decisions.
WEST AFRICA’S FIRST UAV INSPECTION
Sector
Oil Gas & PetrochemicalRegion
AfricaIn 2015, Cyberhawk was tasked by an oil and gas supermajor to conduct the world’s first UAV inspection in West Africa, completing a number of live flare inspections. The rationale behind the operator’s use of UAVs was to avoid the requirement to shut down platform operations whilst inspection activity took place, and reduce the working at height dangers presented to personnel.
Cyberhawk’s two-man field team inspected five live assets for the client in less than a week. Alternative methods of inspection such as rope access or scaffolding would have taken months to complete and would have required a complete shutdown of the facility.
Using UAV technology, which allows for the inspection of flare stacks and tips while they are live, avoided the need for a plant shutdown and saved the client more than $US11 million.
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The detailed inspection reports completed by Cyberhawk’s plant inspector and flare experts provided the facility with the information they required to fully plan and prepare flare tip replacement and repair work during the next planned turnaround.
This project reinforced Cyberhawk’s position as world leader in the field of UAV inspections, adding to its track record of world firsts in industrial oil and gas inspections around the world.
PERSIAN GULF OFFSHORE MULTIPLE WORKSCOPE INSPECTION
In September 2015, Cyberhawk was appointed by a major oil and gas operator in the UAE with the safe inspection of six flares, 12 vent stacks, multiple bridges, tripods and telecom towers, offshore in the Persian Gulf.