ZALA AERO will start searching for methane leaks at Verkhnechonskneftegaz facilities

In the second quarter of 2022, ZALA AERO will start performing industrial work to search for methane leaks using unmanned aerial systems at the facilities of Verkhnechonskneftegaz JSC.

Methane leaks will be searched using unmanned aerial systems of aeroplane and helicopter type ZALA 421-16E and ZALA 421-22. The methane detection system makes it possible to record leak locations and generate violation cards in real time, indicating the concentration of the substance and the coordinates of the gas cloud. At the end of the flights, the data are processed and a report on the identified leakage locations is prepared for transmission to interested parties.

The use of innovative developments in unmanned aviation to implement Rosneft's corporate carbon management plan will help monitor the amount and location of greenhouse gas emissions to minimise environmental impact.

Previously, the methane leak search system has already been used at 10 other Rosneft facilities in Samara Region, Krasnodar Territory, Yamalo-Nenets and Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Districts and other regions of the Russian Federation. This will be the first time that unmanned systems with the function of methane leak detection will be used at the Verkhnechonskneftegaz facility in the Irkutsk Region.

ZALA AERO manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles with methane leak detection and multi-channel gas analysis capabilities capable of detecting vapours and gases from a wide range of names including methane, propane, butane, sulphur, nitrogen and more.

The use of unmanned systems at oil and gas production and transportation facilities allows for prompt identification of facilities requiring maintenance, as well as preventing possible methane leaks during current and overhaul repairs of equipment.