"RN-Purneftegaz expands the geography of UAV use for environmental monitoring
Gubkinsky, YNAO. RN-Purneftegaz, which is part of Rosneft's oil and gas production complex, is increasing overflights of production facilities and pipelines using Russian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in 2022. The number of aerial monitoring routes increased from 8 to 17, and the monthly kilometreage increased to 6.7 thousand km.
The use of drones significantly increases the efficiency of greenhouse gas level control and industrial safety at oil and gas preparation, processing, and transportation facilities.
Environmental conservation is an integral part of Rosneft's corporate culture. The Company aims to achieve leadership in minimising environmental impact and environmental friendliness of production. "Rosneft prioritises environmental protection and industrial safety. Starting from 2019, Rosneft has been implementing a comprehensive programme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of this programme, as well as the introduction of innovations - drones, laser and thermal imaging scanning devices, ultrasonic detectors - consistently contribute to minimising environmental impact.
Aerial monitoring is carried out using a remote laser scanner and a high-resolution video camera mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles. Real-time cameralisation is also carried out, and a photo plan and heat map are prepared in case deviations are detected.
The unmanned aerial systems used have high technical characteristics: with small dimensions (take-off weight of 10.5 kg), the aviation complex can stay in the air for at least 4 hours and fly a distance of 250 kilometres. Since the beginning of 2022, the UAV has been equipped with advanced software for automatic processing of aerial survey data. Data processing is carried out using an artificial neural network, a self-learning system that reduces the role of the human factor in interpreting video and photo materials and increases the speed of their processing. This allows the computer to recognise at least 40 different objects simultaneously and draw conclusions about their technical condition.
"RN-Purneftegaz has extensive experience in using drones to monitor the condition of oil and gas production facilities. Unmanned aerial vehicles benefit not only oilmen. If unauthorised landfills or forest fires are detected during production overflights, RN-Purneftegaz employees proactively inform the Unified Duty Dispatch Service (UDDS) of the Purovsky District.
RN-Purneftegaz LLC is one of Rosneft's main oil and gas production centres in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District. The company is located in the town of Gubkinsky and operates at 10 licence areas.
RN-Purneftegaz has produced more than 270 million tonnes of oil and gas condensate and more than 120 bcm of gas condensate since the fields were developed3 gas.
