Texo carries out first drone-based LIDAR scan of offshore assets
Oil and gas asset inspection company Texo DSI said it has performed the first survey-grade light detection and ranging (LIDAR) scan of an offshore asset with a drone. Texo's drone used LIDAR and simultaneous location and mapping to scan Paragon Offshore's rig off the coast of Denmark. The analysis provides precision data on trends such as corrosion rates and enables more efficient management of assets over their life cycle. Additionally, using LIDAR scans reduces the risk to personnel who would be required to work at height or in confined spaces, said Pim Peters, drilling superintendent at Paragon Offshore.

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Texo Drone Survey and Inspection, has carried out the first ever Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) survey-grade LiDAR scan of an offshore asset, combined with ground-based Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) (photo: Texo DSI)

Texo DSI (UKCS) Ltd, the offshore division of Texo Drone Survey and Inspection, has carried out the first ever Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) survey-grade LiDAR scan of an offshore asset, combined with ground-based Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM).

A team from Texo DSI (UKCS) travelled to the Port of Esbjerg in Denmark, from where they went on to scan Paragon Offshore’s HZ1 jack up.

Texo DSI (UKCS) is the only company in the world to have built survey-grade LiDAR scanning technology, with the ability to capture data to a level of below 2mm, onto a bespoke UAV and integrated this with ground-based SLAM.

This allows the company, which owns and operates the world’s most comprehensive and dynamic fleet of UAVs, to deliver a fully integrated solution to the offshore oil and gas industry. The collaboration between the tailored, state-of-the-art equipment and precision data technology is proving a game changer, with applications in both engineering and asset lifecycle management.

Pim Peters, drilling superintendent at Paragon Offshore, says, “This was an exciting project to be a part of. The big gain for us is improving the quality of our inspections by having more accurate data, rather than relying on eyewitness feedback, and moving to comparative analysis on trends, specifically around corrosion rates.

“In addition, we can reduce the risk to personnel, with fewer working at height or in confined spaces, as well as having a more efficient set up which has significant economic advantages.”

John Wood, chief operating officer, Texo DSI (UKCS), adds, “This project heralds a new era for precision data collection for oil and gas assets. Our world-leading technology delivers real benefits to the oil and gas industry, driving much needed efficiencies and taking asset information modelling for asset integrity to a new level. Paragon Offshore is already seeing the advantages that faster, accurate, precision data can give them.”