Summarising the results for 2020 on monitoring of fuel and energy facilities

In 2008, ZALA AERO unmanned aerial systems were engaged for the first time to perform comprehensive pipeline monitoring work at hydrocarbon production sites. In 2014, the first long-term contracts for oil and gas production and transportation infrastructure monitoring services were signed.

Summing up the results of the passing year 2020, it is important to note that despite the current situation in the world due to the COVID-19 coronavirus infection, which hampered the work of many Russian companies, ZALA AERO ensured the performance of the full scope of work in accordance with the contracts signed with organisations of the fuel and energy complex.

In 2020, ZALA AERO performed more than 32,000 flights at oil production and transportation facilities: Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, INK LLC and other fuel and energy companies. The total flight time of aviation monitoring of all facilities totalled 36,000 hours.

In 2020, the Company successfully carried out patrols of PJSC Gazprom's gas transmission system. During the reporting period, more than 11,500 flights were performed to obtain data on the condition of gas trunkline routes, condensate pipelines, and adjacent infrastructure. The total flight time at PJSC Gazprom facilities totalled 11,000 hours.

To perform flight missions, ZALA AERO engages 90 flight teams, or more than 200 highly qualified specialists: UAV ground control station operators, technicians, decipherers, trained at a licensed Training Centre. Training of specialists is 1 month, during which the cadets receive theoretical and practical knowledge on controlling unmanned complexes at the facilities of oil and gas enterprises. The cadets are also trained in photo and video processing using software based on neural networks and artificial intelligence.

Over the last 16 years, ZALA AERO has become a leader in the production of unmanned aerial systems and a provider of comprehensive remote sensing services for the oil and gas industry. ZALA AERO's cooperation with organisations of the fuel and energy complex has made a significant contribution to the development and observance of safety at oil and gas production and transportation facilities and was marked by positive feedback received from such major organisations as PJSC Rosneft Oil Company, PJSC Gazprom, PJSC Gazprom Neft, PJSC Lukoil, PJSC Novatek and others.