Oil and Gas Service
An Overhead View
It’s right time to start using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Kazakhstan oil and gas industry
Current oil prices are leading for emergent cost reduction wherever possible. As we know, pipelines are subject to physical wear out and need regular inspections throughout their lifespan. Maintenance, structural inspections and surveillance activities are costly to plan and execute, and must be done routinely to avoid leaks, production outages and unplanned shutdowns.
Several global oil and gas corporations have deployed drones (UAVs), and they found that UAVs demonstrated significant, measurable value, including improving industry operator safety. In terms of Operations, for maintenance engineers working with traditional methods, the inspection of the large-scale oil facility could take weeks or months, but drones (UAVs) can accurately detect problems in much less time, allowing daily reporting over an entire facility condition and performance.
One of them is Eni which signed a 3-year contract for the aerial inspection of global assets with Sky-Futures last year. Also, there are other companies such as Cyberhawk and Delair Tech which provide same services for oil and gas companies in Qatar, UK, France, Indonesia and the USA.
Talking about cost benefits it was recorded millions of USD savings for Operations in Qatar and Indonesia which lead for extra profit due to aerial inspections do not always require shutdown of the facilities. UAV may reach places where a man cannot due to certain reasons. For example, flare inspection. UAV service companies may provide number of different report including thermal photos which indicates very clearly all possible changes on pipelines, columns, vessels etc. This allows continuously control and check reliability of the facility.
In general, drone use is allowed in Kazakhstan as in many other countries. There are several regulations that need to be followed when flying in the country. Basic principles that Operators must ensure that following requirements are met:
- Do not fly your drone over people or crowds of people;
- Respect other people’s privacy when flying your drone;
- Do not fly your drone near military installations, power plants, or other areas that could concern local authorities;
- You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions;
- Do not fly your drone near airports or in any area were aircraft are operating.
In September 2017, new Rules for the State Registration of Civil Aircraft were published officially. Regarding UAVs part is indicated as following:
- Unmanned aerial vehicles with a maximum take-off weight of more than 1.5 kg are also subject to registration.
- In the case of registration of an unmanned aerial vehicle, the authorized body issues a certificate of registration of an unmanned aerial vehicle in accordance with Annex 12 to the Regulation.
- The unmanned aerial vehicle is maintained by an authorized body in a special journal. The registration numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles must correspond to their serial numbers in the log of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The register of an unmanned aerial vehicle is maintained in accordance with Annex 13 to the Rule in paper form. If there is an appropriate secure software product, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Register is maintained on electronic media with the possibility of duplication. If there is a discrepancy between the records on paper and electronic media, the priority is on paper records.
- The registration time, as well as the removal of an unmanned aerial vehicle, is 30 working days.
Persons acquiring unmanned aerial vehicles for exploitation shall apply for registration with the authorized body with the following documents:
1) a statement in the form per Annex 14 to the Rule;
2) a copy of the constituent document (for legal entities) or an identity document (for foreign individuals). In the case when a natural or legal person is a non-resident of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the documents are presented in a notarized form;
3) a notarized copy of the contract or other document confirming the ownership (notarized), or a court decision;
4) a notarized copy of the lease, property lease agreement, another document confirming the right to use an unmanned aerial vehicle;
5) a copy of the manufacturer's document describing the characteristics of the unmanned aerial system (maximum take-off mass, maximum speed, maximum flight altitude, maximum flight time, control channel, flight range, control range);
6) type and number of the aircraft (passport), the engine and the station of the external pilot (passport);
7) a copy of the type certificate or equivalent document (if any);
8) certificate of exclusion of an unmanned aerial vehicle (if an unmanned aerial vehicle was on the account of a foreign state) considering a foreign state;
9) confirmation of the applicant in an arbitrary written form about the absence of military and listening equipment on the registered unmanned aerial vehicle.
When the unmanned aerial vehicle is taken off the record, the applicant submits to the authorized body:
1) application for de-registration of an unmanned aerial vehicle in accordance with Appendix 15 to this Rule;
2) a copy of the constituent document (for legal entities) or an identity document (for foreign individuals).
In the case when applicant is a non-resident of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the documents are presented in a notarized form;
3) a notarized copy of the contract of sale or other document confirming the ownership (notarized), or a court decision;
4) a notarized copy of the lease, leasing, property lease agreement, another document confirming the right to use an unmanned aerial vehicle;
5) the original certificate of registration of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
In accordance with the submitted documents, the authorized body issues to the applicant a Certificate of Exclusion of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle from the Record in Accordance with Appendix 16 to this Regulation."
It is obvious that permitting process is quite transparent and clear for obtaining certificates for UAV use.
Implementing this technology is beneficial for all stakeholders including Republic of Kazakhstan and investors in many aspects such as improving efficiency in Operations, Maintenance and HSE which also leads to cost savings, decreasing field shutdown periods etc, i.e. reducing cost of barrel of oil. Consequently oil and gas companies increase their income and cash flow, while Kazakhstan benefits by enlarging tax revenue and new technologies which national oil company «KazMunaiGas» may implement in their own projects.
This tremendous technology needs to be implemented in Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak Projects. It is necessary because all facilities will be handed over to the Republic when PSA expires. So, reliability of all facilities is very critical. For example, thermal imaging may detect problems at their initial stages, not at the time when equipment is damaged. Also aerial inspections could be taken on drilling rigs without disruption of drilling process.
It could be also interesting for «KazTransOil» company for inspection of pipelines in terms of reliability and security, i.e. against illegal tie-ins.
In terms of HSE, number of inspections could be followed in confined spaces, in places with aggressive environment. UAV eliminates requirement of human direct presence for inspection in such environment. And result is obvious – saved lives. Also, UAV provides better vision and understanding in case of oil spill. It reduces cost for security of pipelines and facilities. Process of topographic shots improves as well. Taking into consideration all above said, Kazakhstan shall develop and implement this technology for its own benefits. It generates additional employment as well as many other benefits for entire industry.
Drone use in Kazakh Oil & Gas Industry is still a dream. Situation could be changed by regulatory influence, e.g. requirement of using UAVs at list for HSE inspection to save human lives. However, we hope that UAVs become regular component of Operations very soon.
Askar Ismailov
About author
Askar Ismailov – graduate of Russian University of chemical technology, Moscow. Professional experience started at Karachaganak project in 2002. Participated in development of Tengiz field during SGP/SGI Project and Kashagan Project. International experience presented by Shah Deniz Project (Azerbaijan), South Gas Corridor which comprises South Caucasus Pipeline (Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkey), TANAP (Turkey) and TAP (Greece-Albania-Italy). Work experience in Eni, ConocoPhillips, LUKoil companies. Currently – graduate of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation.