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Case studies
Offshore COT Tank Inspection ACE-A-E2
Oil and Gas
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Project
Internal COT Tank Inspection
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Type of facility
Offshore FSO
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Industry
Oil and Gas
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Safety
Minimal risk to involved personnel eliminating working at height
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Project efficiencies
3 Day with UAV team vs 10-15 Days with Rope Access team
Scope of Work
Visual Inspection of Cargo Oil Tank COT for class inspection approvals.
Due to time shortage, lack of bed spaces offshore and constant weather change, a UAV inspection was required to carry out the inspection.
Solution
Air Control Entech were tasked with inspecting a clients Cargo Oil Tank to ascertain the current condition for Class inspection approvals.
The inspection of COT tank was carried out in 3 days. Due to the small size and the cage frame of the UAV difficult to see areas could be captured; even areas that would be hard to reach even with rope access or scaffolds. The 180-degree movement of the camera on the UAV allowed the team to capture hard to reach positions on the upper bulkhead.
The UAV team always operates as a team of 2. This allows the pilot to only concentrate on the flying, whilst a qualified inspector can identify the areas of interests to be captured.
The captured data was processed in same day and an interim report can be produced within a day of completing the inspection.
Results & Benefits
- Tank returned to normal operation faster than traditional methods.
- No expensive scaffold inside the tank.
- No need for high-risk rope access work (working at height).
- Detailed 4k imagery and video to allow condition of Cellar deck and associated pipework to be reviewed by multiple stakeholders.
- Greater visibility and enhanced maintenance planning potential for the client through provision of robust evidence on the physical state of inaccessible structure and pipes underdeck.
- Use of multi-skilled teams reduced the risk with drone but retaining the inspection expertise, leading to greater control over project delivery.
- Project delivered on time with no disruption to ongoing plant activities.
Comparison
| Conventional Access | Air Control Entech |
|---|---|
 2 + 2 Standby / Rescue team |
1 Pilot & 1 Inspector |
 10-15 Days |
3 Days |
 Partial platform shutdown |
In-service inspection |
 High Risk |
Low Risk |
 Some photos |
Safer operationally Full 4k video / High resolution images |
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