Droning on...

May 2, 2016
At this writing, the news and technology editors at Oil & Gas Journal were yet to hold their annual pre-Offshore Technology Conference staff meeting to discuss a coverage strategy.

At this writing, the news and technology editors at Oil & Gas Journal were yet to hold their annual pre-Offshore Technology Conference staff meeting to discuss a coverage strategy. Successfully covering OTC every year for a staff of any size is quite an undertaking. And experience dictates that no small amount of thoughtful planning is required to achieve the effective results that readers have come to expect from OGJ.

That said, the run-up to this year's conference has felt somewhat different than from years past. This editor in particular has received fewer invitations to OTC-themed events this year than in subsequent years. There have been fewer e-mails with "Visit our booth during OTC" as their subject line. Fewer calls have been received pitching must-see products. Overall, less "hype" seems to be surrounding the event as is usual. Speculation also abounds that the event will likely see fewer attendees and exhibiters this year.

One might argue, however, that this is what would be expected after the year industry has had. After all, the oil and gas industry in general-and the offshore drilling and production business in particular-has taken it on the chin for longer than a year now. Slumping crude oil prices have made it necessary for E&P firms to slash budgets and workforces. Certain service companies have sought refuge through consolidation. Noncore assets have been offloaded at bargain prices.

The drones have it

In preparation for the imminent staff meeting, this editor combed through OTC's technical program to try to ascertain this year's themes and any specific topics of interest. Sadly, there were no real surprises. Not to say that the event wouldn't excel-as it always does-in spotlighting the world's latest and greatest in offshore technology. But many topics seemed to be similar if not identical to those covered in OTCs past.

One technology in particular seemed to be missing from the lineup: drones. It's hoped that these interesting-and, let's face it, downright "techie"-contraptions make their way to the trade floor to entertain attendees with mind-blowing demos.

Industry has been touting drones-also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or remotely operated aerial vehicles (ROAV)-as the latest technology to enhance energy system safety. The American Petroleum Institute recently applauded the US Senate's passage of Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization and, specifically, a provision in the law that would allow unmanned aircraft system (UAS) utilization for oil and gas facilities, refineries, and pipeline inspection and response activities.

"The use of unmanned aerial system technologies will give us another means to safely conduct preventative inspections and response activities," said API Midstream Director Robin Rorick. API thanked Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) for his leadership on this UAS provision and urged the US House and the Obama administration to follow the Senate's lead and make drone safety technology a reality in the oil and natural gas industry.

Drones in use

Separately, Livingston, Scotland-based Cyberhawk Innovations Ltd. recently reported the completion a 2-week offshore ROAV inspection in Newfoundland and Labrador for an unnamed oil and gas supermajor. Cyberhawk used the ROAV to inspect the live flare, the platform underdeck, and the roof of the giant concrete gravity base, and conduct numerous thermal surveys to maximize the mobilization. "A back log of complex inspection and survey work was competed whilst the Cyberhawk team was on the platform," the company said.

"Carrying out the underdeck inspection workscope alone would have taken weeks of complex overside work for a rope access team, or months for scaffolding to be erected. Add to that the challenging weather conditions on the Grand Banks and this would realistically have resulted in an inspection campaign spanning over the whole summer," the company said.

Now if only this editor could outfit a drone for use in covering multiple events at OTC, then the packed parking lots and teeming crowds would be a thing of the past.

Alas, might have to wait for next year.