Scope Overview

Our client required a comprehensive visual and thermal inspection of a flare system situated on an FPSO in offshore Guyana.

The aim of the visual inspections was to assess the general condition of each part of the flare and identify any areas showing signs of damage or potential defects. Thermal inspection was performed to assess the burning characteristics of the flare.

The client wanted to pay particular attention to the following components:

• Visual Inspection of Flare Boom

• Visual Inspection of Flare Platform & Flare Tip

• Thermal Inspection of Flare Platform & Flare Tip

What did we do?

Various preparatory works were completed including application for local Guyana Civil Aviation Authority permissions to operate drones in-country, site specific risk assessments, permit generation, toolbox talks and testing / approval of all equipment necessary for the works.

Drone inspection system (Falcon8+) and two payloads were mobilised by air to Guyana a few weeks prior to personnel to ensure all necessary equipment permissions were in place. The drone inspection team were then mobilised from our Aberdeen base.

The drone team undertook flights from the FPSO Fore Deck to capture General Visual Inspection (GVI) data across 100% of the flare structure. 

This was used to ascertain high-level condition and identify any areas / points of interest (POIs) for follow up inspection in the subsequent Close Visual Inspection (CVI) & Thermal Inspection flights. Scope was completed over a 6-day period.

What were the results?

The use of our specialist drone system, alongside proficient inspection engineers, avoided the necessity of shutting down the flare system on the FPSPO, eliminated the requirement for working at height, and significantly reduced offshore work schedules.

The extensive data captured in this relatively brief trip surpasses what traditional methods can achieve. This wealth of information empowered the client to comprehensively assess the general condition of the flare asset, identifying any areas of damage or potential defects which may require attention.

What were benefits?

Conducting bi-annual drone inspections of the Flare System ensures a comprehensive understanding of its condition. This frequency allows for regular monitoring, enabling the detection of any potential issues before they escalate into larger problems. 

By capturing detailed data during each inspection, including visual and close-up imagery, as well as conducting structural assessments, a repeatable dataset is established for comparison across visits. 

The Orthomosaics serve as a valuable tool for trend analysis, enabling our client to visualise and track changes in the condition of the Flare Boom over time.

Client Project Manager Feedback

“It was a pleasure working with professionals who consistently go above and beyond to deliver exceptional results."