DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, has revealed on Aug. 31 a solution development partnership with Shell Oil Co. to create, test and deploy DJI drone technology at its Deer Park manufacturing complex to improve efficiency and worker safety during industrial inspections and emergency incident response.
“As one of the world’s largest energy companies, Shell has provided us with valuable insight into the unique challenges of conducting aerial inspections at one of its largest facilities where infrastructure exceeds the height of 250 feet off the ground,” Cynthia Huang, director of business development at DJI, said. “Through our collaboration, DJI will receive valuable first-hand insight into the complexities of deploying drone technology at a world-class refinery, and co-develop new product features like AI Spot-Check that will allow Shell and other innovative energy companies to use drones to safely and easily conduct required inspections of critical infrastructure.”
Already a pioneer in using drone technology, the Shell Deer Park drone team adopted DJI drones in 2016 to reduce the need to work at height while improving safety and cutting the cost of inspections in the process. As a solution development partner, Shell will work with DJI to develop and test advanced drone solutions, like the DJI Matrice 300 RTK, that allow workers to automate required inspections of critical infrastructure like flare tips and floating roof tanks whose condition and activity are difficult to assess from ground level.
“Shell Deer Park is excited to become a Solution Development Partner with DJI as we continue to adopt drone technology,” said Shell Deer Park’s Chief Drone Pilot John McClain. “Through this partnership, Shell Deer Park will have access to some of the most advanced drone technology from DJI to help elevate workplace safety and improve efficiency across our operations in the world’s largest industry.”
Recommended Reading
Shale Outlook: E&Ps Making More U-Turn Laterals, Problem-Free
2025-01-09 - Of the more than 70 horseshoe wells drilled to date, half came in the first nine months of 2024 as operators found 2-mile, single-section laterals more economic than a pair of 1-mile straight holes.
Coterra Takes Harkey Sand ‘Row’ Show on the Road
2024-11-20 - With success to date in Harkey sandstone overlying the Wolfcamp, the company aims to make mega-DSUs in New Mexico with the 49,000-net-acre bolt-on of adjacent sections.
Wildcatting is Back: The New Lower 48 Oil Plays
2024-12-15 - Operators wanting to grow oil inventory organically are finding promising potential as modern drilling and completion costs have dropped while adding inventory via M&A is increasingly costly.
Formentera Joins EOG in Wildcatting South Texas’ Oily Pearsall Pay
2025-01-15 - Known in the past as a “heartbreak shale,” Formentera Partners is counting on bigger completions and longer laterals to crack the Pearsall code, Managing Partner Bryan Sheffield said. EOG Resources is also exploring the shale.
SM, Crescent Testing New Benches in Oily, Stacked Uinta Basin
2024-11-05 - The operators are landing laterals in zones in the estimated 17 stacked benches in addition to the traditional Uteland Butte.