Pipelines
The use of UAV is spreading around utility companies for inspection, monitoring and schedule maintenance of oil and gas pipelines or of remote installations, ultimately aiming in detecting leaks that could lead to an environmental disaster, or to an explosion.
Currently inspection and monitoring are performed either by on ground inspectors or by highly expensive helicoptering services; thus drones truly represent a valid alternative to substantially save time and cut execution costs, especially in remote or impervious areas.
ACES AIR UAVs are equipped with precision sensors that allow detection of rust or corrosion along the pipeline, as well as oil or gas spills.
If the pipeline is beneath the ground, those precision sensors can quickly detect the presence of Oil or Gas in the ground, or changes in the surrounding vegetation, which typically indicate soil contamination due to a leakage in the pipeline system.
Pipeline system inspection and monitoring can also be performed by using a fixed wing UAV, being this the best choice when it comes to cover long distances, especially along linear pipelines routes.