Abstract
The objective is to find a safer and efficient method for carrying out inspection on the jack up legs and inside tanks supporting ADNOC and NDC pillars.
Offshore rigs require to be surveyed every year with the intensity of examination increasing between annual, intermediate and five-yearly frequencies. Examination includes numerous challenging compartments and spaces. These could be: Seawater tanks (normally closed and sealed), rig legs (hundred or more feet tall) underside of helidecks (over water). NDC introduced use of drones for tanks surveys thus mitigating all risks and introducing commercial efficiency as a lot of preparatory costs were avoided and the rig outage time considerably reduced.
NDC decided to pioneer the region's first drone inspection of tanks and hull structures for offshore units amongst the drilling contractors thus demonstrating how the use of this technology can be applied to greatly improve safety, eliminate risks, increase efficiency and reduce costs. In a pilot trial of the concept the company demonstrated how a typical week long inspection program can be completed in a single day – a cost and efficiency improvement of almost 700%. Risks include lack of oxygen, fall from heights and injuries from obstructions. Of course experienced industry staff takes a lot of precautions before attempting such tasks. In fact companies have developed "Golden Rules" that govern activities inside confined spaces.
Scaffolding needed to be erected inside tanks using specialized crews at considerable cost. Tanks needed to be ventilated in advance of the tanks entry. Work needed to be done at heights with staff working on scaffolding with limited lighting. Rig time was being lost when it was brought to the jetty for surveys for ensuring safe access before surveys could be carried out.
