Case Study: Optical Gas Imaging Drone Survey with TDLAS Payload
Sector: Onshore Oil & Gas Facilities
Service: Methane Leak Detection & Preventive Inspection
Overview
A recent deployment of advanced drone technology delivered comprehensive Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) surveys across onshore oil and gas facilities.
The mission’s key goal was to detect and localise methane and other hydrocarbon gas leaks with exceptional precision—while minimising human exposure and maximising operational efficiency.
Technology Used
- Platform: DJI M350 RTK
- Payload: TDLAS Laser Methane Detector (LMX)
- Capabilities:
- Real-time methane detection and visualisation
- High-precision quantification of gas leaks
- Integration with geotagged reporting tools
Survey Objectives
- Detect and visualise methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Perform preventative inspections of:
- Flanges
- Valves
- Risers
- Pipework
- Ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations
- Reduce the need for rope access or asset shutdowns
Deployment Approach
Focus Areas:
- Pipeline corridors
- Gas compression stations
- Storage tank areas
Operational Advantages:
- Access to remote locations and challenging terrain without the need for manual entry
- Quantitative leak detection in limited visibility zones and elevated risk areas
- Reduced man-hours by replacing traditional handheld gas detectors with aerial scanning
Results & Outcomes
- Rapid coverage: Inspected 5+ km of pipelines and infrastructure per day
- Efficiency gains: Reduced inspection time by up to 70% vs ground-based methods
- Data quality: Produced high-resolution leak reports with precise GPS tagging
- Operational benefit: Enabled engineers to plan maintenance without asset shutdowns
Conclusion
Integrating Laser Detection (TDLAS) technology with aerial platforms has proven to be a game-changer for modern leak detection strategies in the oil and gas sector.
This approach:
- Eliminates manual entry into hazardous areas
- Delivers fast, accurate, and repeatable inspection data
- Strengthens environmental compliance and operational safety
