First official drone test for petroleum production in Thailand

Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production has successfully completed the trial on unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones) to enhance safety and security in petroleum production, reported The Nation Thailand.

The trial was approved by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), and other relevant agencies.

This marks the first trial of its kind in Thailand. (Source: Chevron Thailand)

Conducted at the North Pailin field in the Gulf of Thailand, the trial leveraged technology from Skyller Solutions, an expert in asset inspection solutions utilizing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology with Chevron's design and planning.

It involved Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, utilizing drones equipped with real-time imaging cameras that can detect anomalies such as leaks and operational issues in wellhead platforms situated far out.

This allows for quicker inspection and response in case of unsafe conditions of operations or equipment, leaks, and other risks in petroleum production.

The technology will enable the company to plan and manage petroleum production with enhanced efficiency and safety for personnel, while also reducing carbon emissions from transportation.

“We are delighted with the results, which open the door to further testing and eventually integrating this technology into our actual operations to boost Thailand’s petroleum production capabilities, both in terms of safety and environmental impact,” said Chatit Huayhongtong, President of Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production.

The Nation Thailand reported that Chevron is going to use the findings of this test to prepare for a second proof of concept, slated for 2025.