PJSC Gazprom Neft tested a new monitoring system from ZALA AERO

ZALA AERO together with JSC Gazprom Neft-Noyabrskneftegaz conducted pilot tests of the ZALA 421-16E unmanned aerial system at field sites in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. The tests were conducted at a temperature of - 48ºC, with wind speeds of up to 15 metres per second.

The unmanned system performed aerial photography and video monitoring of the area in real time. Video from the aircraft was broadcast to authorised users via cellular communication channel. According to the representatives of the Pipeline Operation Department, this technology is particularly effective in situations requiring prompt response, for example, when monitoring pipeline routes during the flood period.

The purpose of the tests was to demonstrate the operation of the software for automatic data processing. The software automatically detects and recognises objects in aerial photographs. This method is much more efficient than manual decoding, as it provides high recognition accuracy and reduces processing time.

Representatives of PJSC Gazprom Neft also familiarised themselves with the technology of laser scanning from an unmanned aircraft. Today, this is the most promising remote sensing technology, as it provides an exhaustive amount of data on terrain and terrain objects. VLS data are used to build highly accurate three-dimensional models of terrain and infrastructure.