In a groundbreaking development for offshore energy operations, Aker Solutions has successfully deployed an autonomous drone system on the Edvard Grieg platform in the Norwegian North Sea. This initiative marks a significant advancement in remote inspection capabilities, allowing for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations controlled from an onshore facility in Stavanger, approximately 180 kilometers away .
The drone, equipped with advanced sensors and autonomous navigation technology, conducts high-resolution inspections of the platform’s infrastructure. Data collected during these flights is transmitted in real-time to the onshore control center, where it is analyzed using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to detect potential issues such as wear or corrosion .
Aker Solutions has also installed a dedicated drone docking station on the platform, ensuring the drone’s readiness for frequent inspections without the need for manual deployment. This setup not only enhances safety by reducing the need for personnel on the platform but also significantly cuts inspection costs and time
