{"id":256962,"date":"2024-09-28T10:36:43","date_gmt":"2024-09-28T16:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mfe-is.com\/?p=256962"},"modified":"2025-04-25T14:11:45","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T19:11:45","slug":"elios-drone-tank-inspections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mfe-is.com\/fr\/elios-drone-tank-inspections\/","title":{"rendered":"Inspecting 63 Tanks With 2 Flyability Elios Drones In 2 Weeks"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Inspecting 63 Tanks With 2 Flyability Elios Drones In 2 Weeks<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Learn how TDBR Inspections used Elios 2 and Elios 3 drones to inspect 63 tanks at the 3R-2 oil rig off the coast of Brazil in just 14 days, drastically reducing time and personnel requirements.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Benefits<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Speed<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The\u00a0Elios 2<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Elios 3<\/a>\u00a0completed inspections of 63 tanks in 14 days with just 2 members of staff. In the past this would take months to complete with 3 or more staff required.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Safety<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Due to using drones, there was no need to send people inside the tanks or to work at height. Because no human entry was required, it removed the need for special permits, making everything more efficient.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Accuracy<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The results from this inspection were shared with the Class Society who set standards for maritime and drilling equipment. All of the results with the Elios 2 and Elios 3 matched the required class standards.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Efficiency<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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As a result of completing the inspections with drones, the number of people on board (PoB) the rig was never exceeded and was better optimized to have engineers and workers on-site instead of inspection teams.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Introduction<\/strong><\/h2>

When working offshore, you face a unique set of challenges. If equipment fails, or material has not been delivered, you can face long delays, downtime, or even potential hazards.<\/p>

However, as every inch of space counts, there is a balance to be struck between inspection and maintenance, operational procedures, and the efficiency of the site.<\/p>

Customer Needs: Challenging Inspections For An Offshore Rig<\/strong><\/h2>

For 3R-2, a TLWP-type oil rig off the coast of Brazil, major inspections pose a challenge. There is a maximum number of people on board (PoB) of about 60 people.<\/p>

Those 60 need to include engineers, operators, and general staff. Staff are transported there by helicopter, and optimizing the PoB number as well as their transport on\/off the platform helps streamline work without putting strain on staff or the site\u2019s operations.<\/p>

However, inspections of assets including tanks onboard can be difficult. The 3R2 has several large tanks onboard, and to inspect them requires several members of staff using ropes, and can take multiple days per tank. The facility is 10 years old and held to very high regulatory standards.<\/p>

This means that any inspections need to be thorough as the results will be used to update existing records. The question is: is there a way to get those results without bringing large teams of inspectors on board for prolonged periods of time? Finding the balance can optimize the PoB as well as streamline inspections and data management.<\/p>

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The inside of a ballast tank visualized with the Elios 3<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Solution: Using Drone Inspections To Save Time<\/strong><\/h2>

TDBR Inspections, a drone service provider in Brazil, has significant experience in completing complex inspections with the Elios drone. They were contacted by Raul Martini, a naval engineer specialist from\u00a03R Petroleum\u00a0who owns the 3R-2. They aimed to complete tank inspections with the Elios drone and see if they could save time at the rig.<\/p>

The aim was to gather visual data concerning the status of large tanks. TerraDrone needed to build up an archive of relevant imagery that could be used for visual inspections, checking for defects, and identifying faults.<\/p>

Areas of interest could then be identified and marked with special paint to highlight areas needing work. The project would be immense, with over 70 tanks at the site. TDBR Inspections planned to visit 3R-2 on four occasions and gather data.<\/p>

The key benefit of using the Elios drone would be the time and cost savings, but also the simplified logistics. To enter a tank of this nature for an inspection requires a special permit for entrance\u2014but a drone requires no such pre-authorization.<\/p>

In addition, the results were to be submitted to the Class society to verify the accuracy. If successful, this project could present a potential partnership between TerraDrone and\u00a03R Petroleum\u00a0to routinely conduct inspections on 3R-2 with the Elios drone.<\/p>