DJI Phantom 4RTK is the right choice, especially for uncomplicated small to medium-sized projects. It is a brilliant entry-level drone designed for surveying and mapping, which incorporates a 1″ CMOS 20MP sensor to give you accurate data. The P4RTK is compatible with both Android and iOS devices; pilots just have to install any compatible DJI Mobile SDK-enabled app to get the best out of this powerful drone. In addition, P4RTK enables video transmission at distances of up to 7 km.
Another important feature is its ability also to operate in the PPK-mode for the mission, further improving reliability. Likewise, if your drone runs out of power, you can swap to a new battery on the fly- this ensures that your drone is always live in action.
At the time of distress, the Mavic 2 Enterprise series drones are first-response solutions to get a quick hold of the situations. The most noted advantage of the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced is that they are small and lightweight, making them quick to deploy. However, M2EA can only be deployed in fair weather for quick initial inspection; after the first round of inspection by the M2EA, more robust drone solutions like the DJI M300 RTK are utilised for detailed data and analysis.
The M2EA’s advanced visual sensor compared to its predecessors is definitely a BIG advantage. The ability to zoom in further than the other Mavic 2 Enterprise drones allows us to cover more ground and zoom in without having to bring the drones to dangerously lower altitudes. Likewise, the M2EA’s thermal sensor – 640 x 512 px – places it on par with other powerful thermal sensors in the market, like the H20T and XT2.
The DJI Matrice 300 RTK is undoubtedly the workhorse of the industry. The DJI M300 RTK is IP45 rated and is resistant to moisture, wind, and extreme temperatures, making the mission possible even in unpredictable weather – in this context, consider a flare stack inspection, or a fire and rescue mission, or a regular inspection through the highly complicated oil and gas infrastructure. Likewise, it also boasts a more impressive flight time than the M2EA and P4RTK, making it ideal for prolonged missions, especially over huge rural areas.
The Durability and Endurance of M300 RTK is unmatchable. You’ll have more than enough time to complete the mission with the impressive 55-minute flight time before needing to recharge or swap batteries. With smart tracking and advanced dual operator features, the DJI Matrice 300 RTK lets the pilots concentrate on their mission rather than being concerned about controlling the drone as such. Moreover, M300 RTK can carry up to three payloads simultaneously, with a total take-off weight of 9 kg.
Now let’s discuss a few powerful payloads – U10, H20T – that make wonders with DJI M300RTK for the Oil and Gas sector:
The DJI Zenmuse U10 is a lightweight and highly sensitive gas-detection payload that detects methane gas from up to 100 m away in real time. U10 can seamlessly detect the presence of methane gas in concentrations as low as 5ppm, and can also operate in harsh temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C. Furthermore, as the DJI M300 RTK can simultaneously accommodate multiple payloads, it can operate both DJI Zenmuse U10 and the DJI Zenmuse H20T in a single go.
All you need is an Alpha ONE iOS app. This app will help you capture and visualize the data you captured with the 720p alignment camera. You will receive concentration data in just 25 milliseconds, enabling you to make better-informed and quick decisions. The app helps you set alerts for gas concentration levels and will give you a notification if the concentration exceeds the pre-defined levels. Likewise, the app updates you on the gas concentration, complete aerial overview of the suspected leakage site, inspection route, obstacle avoidance information, flags specific points for abnormalities, generates inspection reports and more.
As we already discussed in the initial part of the article, powerful thermal sensors can be of great benefit to the Oil and Gas sector. The DJI Zenmuse H20T is a powerful multi-sensor thermal payload that is redefining mission efficiency. The advanced integrated thermal features on the H20T are just incredible. Flare stacks are crucial systems in Oil & Gas operations; their role is to safely burn excess gasses that are a threat to both the planet and people. Here is an article on how team FEDS inspected one of the tallest Flare Stacks in the world using the DJI M300 RTK paired with the DJI Zenmuse H20T payload.
For instance, you can just tap on a point on the controller to get a real-time reading of the surface temperature. Likewise, you can also mark a particular area to understand the lowest, highest, and average temperatures of that selected area. You’ll be notified in the DJI Pilot when object temperatures exceed your pre-set alert values. You can also visualise a specific band of temperatures with colours of your choice to find what is more important. The AI Spot-Check is the headline innovation that makes the H20T stand out from the rest in the market. With H20T, we can automate periodic inspections and capture results consistently. Re-inspection or another round of capturing the subject is no more a pain; the camera automatically frames the shot based on the pre-marked subject.
Drones are an incredible tool for the entire Energy Sector, not just for Oil and Gas. However, we are aware that Business entities are more concerned about the “cost-factor” associated with operations; But you know what, drone inspections in the Oil & Gas field are helping companies significantly cut down costs – you may read more on this here.
Do you wish to add any of these powerful payloads or drones to your fleet? Drop us a line at hello@thedronecentre.ae, and let’s discuss how our drones or payloads can improve your operations.