As the offshore energy industry evolves, drones are revolutionising operations by enabling advanced environmental monitoring with precision, efficiency, and reduced risk. Their versatility and adaptability make them indispensable tools in meeting industry demands while maintaining high safety and environmental standards.

Let’s explore how drones are transforming the offshore energy landscape.

Why Drones? A Game-Changer for Offshore Energy Operations

Offshore energy projects operate in complex, remote environments. Drones are low cost, light weight aircraft systems operated from the ground, capable of capturing photos and videos (Anderson and Gatson, 2013). These ‘eyes in the sky’ are increasingly used to study marine wildlife, including cetaceans such as Killer whales (Orcinus orca), Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and even other marine species such as turtles, penguins, and dugongs (Durban et al. 2015; Durban et al. 2016; Ratnaswamy and Winn 1993; Bevan et al. 2015; Goebel et al. 2015; Hodgson et al. 2013).

Applications in Offshore Energy

1. Research and Data Collection: A Look at Marine Wildlife

One of the most promising applications of drones in offshore energy lies in their ability to support marine environmental research.

Caoimhe Tweedy, Senior Environment Consultant at Klarite explored the feasibility of using drones for photogrammetry as part of a master’s thesis in Marine Biology at University College Cork, Ireland. Photogrammetry is a non-invasive method for measuring marine mammals. Tweedy conducted drone flights over the Shannon Estuary in Ireland to measure bottlenose dolphins’ length as an indicator of health and maturity.

Photogrammetry Explained:

• Stereo Photogrammetry: Creates 3D models from overlapping images for precise measurements.
• Single Camera Photogrammetry: Uses a known object in the image for scale.

Findings:

• Shannon dolphins were smaller in size compared to non-resident populations. This could be linked to factors such as water temperature and diet.
• Coastal dolphins primarily fed on fish, while offshore populations had diets rich in squid.

These insights are an example of how drones can deliver critical data for understanding marine ecosystems, informing offshore energy project planning, and ensuring environmental compliance.

2. Environmental Monitoring

In offshore energy, understanding marine ecosystems and ensuring compliance are essential. Drones provide a bird’s-eye view of wildlife activity, spill detection, and coastline impact assessments.

By leveraging advanced technologies like drones, the sector can monitor and minimise its environmental footprint, helping to maintain balance with surrounding ecosystems.

Innovations on the Horizon

As drone technology evolves, new opportunities are emerging:

• AI Integration: Drones equipped with AI can identify patterns, predict maintenance needs, and even flag environmental concerns autonomously.
• Underwater Drones: These can inspect submerged assets, opening new possibilities for comprehensive offshore monitoring.

Did You Know?

• The global drone market for energy applications is projected to grow to USD 2.5 billion by 2030.
• Offshore drones can withstand extreme weather conditions, including high winds and salty environments.
• A single drone inspection can save up to 50% of the cost compared to traditional methods.

Driving Sustainable Solutions with Klarite

At Klarite, we stay at the forefront of innovation, applying cutting-edge technology to support sustainable and efficient offshore energy solutions. By leveraging tools like drones and collaborating with industry advancements, we help clients navigate complex challenges while adhering to the highest safety and environmental standards.

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Caoimhe Tweedy, Senior Environment Consultant

Caoimhe is a seasoned environmental professional with a strong academic background in marine science and biology, highlighted by her research on Bottlenose Dolphins using UAVs and her work in sea turtle conservation. Her expertise spans both offshore and onshore environmental consulting projects, where she has applied her knowledge to protect and conserve natural habitats and marine life.

Currently a Senior Environmental Consultant at Klarite, Caoimhe leads complex environmental impact assessments and develops advanced management strategies for marine mammals. Her leadership ensures the integration of science-based solutions that harmonise ecological health with development objectives, providing strategic guidance to clients on sustainable practices and regulatory compliance.