Following a successful test flight in November, China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) has initiated the first large-scale deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in China's offshore oil and gas sector. This technological shift aims to create more cost-efficient and technology-driven operations.

Scope and Operations

The UAV operations currently cover 41 offshore platforms and two onshore terminal plants in the Beibu Gulf, located in the western South China Sea. The primary applications include pipeline inspections, logistics distribution, and emergency security tasks.

Benefits and Economics

The UAV system provides a cheaper and cleaner alternative to traditional surface vessels and crewed helicopters. CNOOC estimates annual savings of nearly 15 million yuan (US$2.2 million) in vessel rental and fuel costs, alongside a reduction of 25,000 tonnes in carbon emissions, by replacing tugboats and helicopters. The technology also enhances operational efficiency, with over 3,600 kilometres of UAV operations reportedly boosting efficiency by more than 30%.

Technology and Capabilities

The system utilizes the TD550 unmanned helicopter, developed by Shenzhen-based United Aircraft Technology. Roughly the size of a small car and featuring coaxial rotor blades, the TD550 has a maximum payload of 200 kilograms, an operating radius of 200 kilometres, a top speed of 180 km/h, and can operate at altitudes up to 6,500 metres. Its specific capabilities include:

• Rapid, high-altitude inspections of over 500 kilometres of subsea pipelines to identify leaks and other anomalies.
• Delivery of spare parts and supplies to platforms and engineering vessels.
• Assistance in search-and-rescue operations.
• Transmission of real-time inspection footage to a central control centre, enabling remote monitoring of issues like illegal fishing boat anchoring or pipeline leaks.

Regulatory and Industry Impact

This deployment has led to the establishment of China's first offshore oil and gas UAV operation management standard within the national civil aviation regulatory framework. This development is seen as paving the way for wider industry adoption of UAV technology in the future.

Collaboration and Expansion

CNOOC has collaborated with external partners, such as China Southern Air, to build an integrated air-sea intelligent operation platform and standardized management processes to overcome challenges like limited offshore coverage. Following CNOOC's lead, Sinopec has begun deploying a UAV inspection system at its shallow-water Shengli oilfield in Bohai Bay.

Sinopec's UAV Deployment

Since mid-March, Sinopec has used drones equipped with infrared thermal imaging cameras and gas detectors to inspect 17 unmanned platforms. The real-time data on platform conditions, parameters, and temperatures is processed using AI-based recognition algorithms. This enables automated inspection tasks, including:

1. Platform inspections
2. Temperature monitoring
3. Safety supervision
4. Emergency response

Sinopec, which has previously used UAVs for onshore facilities, plans to expand inspections to cover subsea pipelines and cables, oil spill monitoring, and light cargo transport.