Drone conducts trans-North Sea inspection mission on Statfjord platform
Flylogix has issued details of a round-trip drone operation completed this summer from its UK base to the Equinor-operated Statfjord B platform in the Norwegian North Sea.
The aircraft flew from Tingwall in the Shetland Islands on July 11 to perform a methane emissions survey of the B platform, located close to the UK-Norway maritime boundary.
During the program, which lasted 4 hours and 50 minutes, the drone flew for a total of 290 nautical miles. It was the first civilian cross-border drone flight from the UK, Flylogix claims, and one of the first of its kind in Europe.
The company, working with Equinor’s operating teams, liaised with the UK and Norwegian aviation authorities to ensure the flight complied with both countries’ regulatory requirements.
Statfjord B, in the southern section of the Statfjord field and in 145 m water depth, started production in 1982.
About the Author
Jeremy BeckmanJeremy Beckman
Staff Writer / Editor, Europe
Jeremy Beckman has been Editor Europe, Offshore since 1992. Prior to joining Offshore he was a freelance journalist for eight years, working for a variety of electronics, computing and scientific journals in the UK. He regularly writes news columns on trends and events both in the NW Europe offshore region and globally. He also writes features on developments and technology in exploration and production.