ZALA UAVs conduct aerial monitoring of Russia's most northern and hard-to-reach oil pipelines

Regular monitoring of pipelines using unmanned aerial systems is one of the most reliable and effective methods of ensuring the safety of oil and gas industry facilities. Energy resources are extracted in the most northern and hard-to-reach regions of the country. In the conditions of the Arctic, the fuel and energy companies operating here entrusted the ZALA T-16 UAS with daily monitoring of the linear infrastructure.

One of the northernmost and longest routes of T-16 flight crews passes through the Yamal Peninsula. This region is characterised by remoteness, harsh winters and long polar nights. In such, sometimes extreme conditions, ZALA UAVs conduct weekly air monitoring of oil pipelines. Thanks to its high speed and autonomy, the T-16 covers a distance of more than 100 kilometres round trip in just a few hours. High resolution video cameras and thermal imager allow to promptly detect pipeline damage, illegal taps, unauthorised persons in the protection zone, as well as hidden leaks of oil products. This significantly reduces risks and helps oil companies to promptly respond to any emergency situations with minimal personnel involvement.

ZALA T-16 UAS crews also provide infrastructure security at Russia's northernmost mainland oilfield in the Tazovsky district of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. During the cold months, temperatures here can reach minus 50-60 degrees centigrade. In conditions of almost complete autonomy, where the main transport is helicopters and temporary motorways open only in winter, the T-16 BVS has become an indispensable tool. On a monthly basis, ZALA flight crews monitor the condition of oil pipelines passing through tundras and swamps to promptly warn of possible incidents at the facilities. 

An important advantage of using ZALA UAS in such remote regions is also the round-the-clock support of the company's specialists for the flight crews. Thanks to the ZALA dispatch centre, which operates without weekends, they can always receive prompt assistance and advice.

Nationwide, ZALA flight crews perform tens of thousands of sorties annually for business, science and government.