Commercial operation of the technology for searching methane leaks by drones has begun in Russia

Industrial operation of the technology for searching for methane leaks at oil production and transportation facilities using drones has started in Russia. This was reported to TASS by the press service of ZALA AERO (part of Kalashnikov Group).

"ZALA AERO has commenced the first commercial operation of the methane leak detection technology," the company said.

As specified in the press service, the company's work in this area is one of the first in the world. The technology has been tested since 2018. The ZALA 421-16E GAS drone is used for its implementation. In total, more than 10 pilot tests were performed. Now the work is being carried out under 10 contracts with major oil and gas companies.

"By the end of 2021, it is planned to perform a total of more than 250 flights over area and linear objects with the unique technology of searching for methane leaks used on the unmanned aircraft ZALA 421-16E GAS," the press service said.

ZALA drones now monitor linear parts of pipelines and industrial facilities in real time in various regions of the country (from Krasnodar Krai and the North Caucasus to Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrugs).