Revolutionising Oil Tank Inspections with ASIO Drones

Flybotix's customer faced the challenge of inspecting a 35m (115ft)  diameter crude oil storage tank with a height of 10m (33ft).

Traditional inspection methods involved elaborate scaffolding construction, posing safety risks and requiring a significant workforce. In this case study, we explore how ASIO drones transformed the inspection process, providing cost-effective and safer solutions.

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RESULTS

Utilising ASIO drones eliminated the need for complex scaffolding. ASIO’s stabilisation algorithm, relying on visual information, ensured a stable flight in the confined tank space. The drone inspected side walls, girders, rafters, and the roof’s structure without human entry. The Wall Lock functionality maintained a fixed distance from the lateral walls, streamlining the pilot’s task. The entire inspection required only a drone pilot and an inspector, drastically reducing manpower and enhancing safety.

Cost Savings During This Inspection

Traditional inspections involving scaffolding and human labor were resource-intensive. ASIO’s drone-based inspection significantly cut costs by eliminating the need for scaffolding construction, reducing the required workforce, and enhancing efficiency. From a safety perspective, the risk to human inspectors was reduced to zero, emphasising ASIO’s superiority in safety-critical environments.
Before, an indoor tank inspection used to take around 7 days at an average cost of 1500 USD per day, totaling 10,500 USD. With our solution, this is optimised to a total of 3 days, meaning a cost of 4500 USD, reducing the cost and time invested by 57.14%.

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BENEFITS

• Enhanced Safety: ASIO’s drone eliminated the need for human entry and scaffolding, mitigating safety risks and reducing accidents to zero.

• Cost Efficiency: ASIO inspection drastically reduced manpower requirements, construction costs, and inspection time, providing a cost-effective solution.

• Real-time Visualisation: ASIO’s real-time data visualisation allowed on-site inspectors to monitor the inspection process, ensuring immediate action if any issues were identified.

• Previously, an indoor tank inspection used to take around 7 days at an average cost of 1500 USD per day, totaling 10,500 USD. With our solution, this is optimised to a total of 3 days, meaning a cost of 4500 USD, reducing the cost and time invested by 57.14%

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WHY ASIO EXCELS IN THIS ENVIRONMENT

ASIO’s success in this environment can be attributed to:

• Stabilisation Algorithm: ASIO’s algorithm ensures a stable flight, especially in confined spaces, offering precise inspection capabilities.

• Wall Lock Functionality: The Wall Lock feature streamlines the inspection process, requiring minimal pilot input for tasks like inspecting lateral walls.

• 4K Video and Powerful Lighting: ASIO’s high-resolution video and powerful lighting enable the detection of subtle corrosion signs, ensuring a comprehensive inspection.

• Long Flight Time: The drone’s extended flight time allows for thorough inspections within a single battery cycle, optimising efficiency.

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CONCLUSION

ASIO drones emerged as a game-changer in the crude oil tank inspection process, delivering unparalleled safety, cost efficiency, and comprehensive data. The integration of advanced algorithms and features makes ASIO the preferred choice for inspections in challenging environments, ensuring a seamless and reliable inspection experience for asset owners in the Oil and Gas Industry.