Web Alert: New Guidelines on the use of drones for offshore operators

Following the growing use of drones (unmanned aerial systems [UAS]) by offshore operators, Oil and Gas UK has recently published the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Management Standards and Guidelines (the guidelines).

These new guidelines will prove helpful for an increasing number of oil and gas operators who are using drones for a number of reasons including undertaking inspections, carrying out surveying and security measures as well as aerial photography.

The use of drones on these particularly high risk work environments is very attractive as it enables operators to send the drone into confined and dangerous places to conduct inspections in an efficient and effective manner and without the need to send employees into such places. This dramatically reduces risk while improving safety as well as being an overall cost effective mechanism.

The aim of the new guidelines, which were developed by a working group set up by the trade body, involving industry and aviation safety experts, as well as UAS operators, is to achieve consistently high safety and operating standards for oil and gas production operators. They encourage the use of this emerging technology as a means of minimising risk while ensuring safety systems offshore are as safe as they can be.

The new guidelines can be found on the Oil & Gas UK website.​

Category: Offshore & Renewables