Hallam Knight’s Post

In a world first, Danish wind energy giant Ørsted is deploying heavy-lift cargo drones to transport cargo at the 752MW Borssele wind project in the North Sea. With a wingspan of 2.6-metres and capable of transporting cargo of up to 100kg in weight, the use of the drones is being billed as a “pioneering move” and “significant leap forward in operational efficiency and safety in the offshore wind industry.” Updating equipment at an offshore wind farm would normally require a vessel to sail from one turbine to another, use a crane to lift each box containing the equipment onto the transition piece, after which the box would be lifted with the nacelle’s crane to reach the nacelle, and then moved to the top of the turbine. Using heavy-lift cargo drones negates much of the hassle, as the drone is capable of flying back and forth from an offshore supply vessel directly to the top of the nacelle – a flight which takes around 4 minutes. In comparison, sailing from turbine to turbine and lifting the material via crane takes around six hours per turbine. Ørsted claims that, by using heavy-lift cargo drones, it has been able to complete this operation 10- to 15 times faster than normally. https://lnkd.in/g6Ws4vyZ

Congratulations to the Ørsted team! Ørsted, a global leader in offshore wind, is deploying heavy-lift cargo drones (HLCD) for the first time in an operational campaign at the Borssele 1&2 Offshore Wind Farm. This pioneering move significantly enhances operational efficiency and safety, transporting cargo from a vessel to all 94 wind turbines 10-15 times faster than conventional methods. Building on previous trials, Ørsted’s use of 70 kg drones to transport up to 100 kg of cargo marks a significant leap forward in the offshore wind industry. By improving safety, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering operational costs, these drones exemplify innovation in action. For complex drone operations like these, ensuring safety and reliability is crucial. Achieving either a Design Verification Report (DVR) or a Type Certification (TC) is essential for transitioning to larger-scale operations. These certifications confirm that the UAS can safely operate in demanding environments, providing assurance to both operators and regulators. At AirHub Consultancy, we support operators and drone manufacturers through the DVR or TC process, ensuring they meet the highest safety and regulatory standards for offshore operations. By advancing regulatory compliance and operational safety, we are enabling the next generation of innovative and efficient drone operations like these.

Ørsted introduces #heavyliftdrones at #Borssele12, optimizing safety and operational efficiency. L’article Ørsted revolutionizes cargo transport by drone at Borssele 1&2 est apparu en premier sur energynews.

ICYMI: Ørsted introduces #heavyliftdrones at #Borssele12, optimizing safety and operational efficiency. L’article Ørsted revolutionizes cargo transport by drone at Borssele 1&2 est apparu en premier sur energynews.

**Interocean Marine Services Gains Class Approvals for Drone Inspection Service in the Offshore Sector** In a significant development for the offshore oil and gas industry, Interocean Marine Services has secured approvals from both the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Det Norske Veritas (DNV) for its drone inspection service. This milestone underscores the increasing importance and recognition of drone technology in ensuring the integrity and safety of mobile offshore units (MOUs) through ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTMs). ### Adoption of Advanced Technologies The use of drones in offshore inspections is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for safer, more efficient, and cost-effective operations. These autonomous vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and high-resolution cameras are transforming the way complex structures are assessed. Traditional manual inspection methods, which often involved human divers entering hazardous environments, have been largely replaced by the precision and reliability offered by drone technology. ### Key Highlights of Interocean’s Drone Inspection Service 1. **Class Compliant Inspections**: Interocean’s drone inspection service has received approval from ABS and DNV, ensuring that the data collected is compliant with the highest industry standards. This validation is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of MOUs, which are critical for offshore operations. 2. **Advanced Sensor Capabilities**: The drones utilized by Interocean are equipped with advanced sensors capable of performing ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTMs). This technology allows for precise evaluation of metal thickness, which is vital for assessing the condition of critical infrastructure. 3. **Efficient Data Acquisition**: With the ability to operate in various environments and at considerable depths, these drones streamline the inspection process. They capture high-quality data in real-time, enabling immediate analysis and planning for any necessary repairs or maintenance. 4. **Enhanced Safety**: The deployment of drones in offshore environments significantly reduces the risks associated with human entry into hazardous zones. This shift mitigates potential accidents and ensures a safer working environment for personnel involved in routine inspections. ### Practical Application A notable example of the practical application of Interocean’s drone inspection service involves the detailed examination of spud cans on a jack-up barge vessel. Spud cans play a crucial role in anchoring vessels securely to the seabed, and their condition is paramount for maintaining operational stability. By using both remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and UAVs equipped with mission-specific tools and sensors, Interocean conducted a thorough internal and external

Ørsted has used heavy-lift cargo drones (HLCDs) for the first time in an operational campaign at the company’s Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind power project in the Netherlands. The 70-kg unmanned aircraft, which boast a 2.6-meter wingspan, can carry up to 100 kg of cargo, marking “a significant leap forward in operational efficiency and safety in the offshore wind industry”, the Denmark-based developer said. The HLCD will transport cargo from a vessel to all 94 wind turbines that make up the Borssele project, located in the Dutch North Sea. The concept was put through test runs last year at the Hornsea 1 offshore #wind project in the UK. For this specific campaign, Ørsted is updating critical evacuation and safety equipment at each of its #turbines. In regular operations, a vessel would sail to each turbine and use a crane to hoist the box of equipment onto the transition piece and nacelle. The HLCD, however, can fly back and forth from an offshore supply vessel in just four minutes, delivering the equipment directly to the top of each #nacelle. Ørsted said it was able to carry out tasks at Borssele 10-15 times faster when using #drones. “The use of drones to deliver cargo to Borssele 1 and 2 will reduce costs and time as well as improve operational safety and efficiency,” Ørsted said in a statement. “Drones mean less work disturbance as wind turbines do not have to be shut down when cargo is delivered. They prevent risk, making it safer for personnel working on the wind farm, and they minimize the need for multiple journeys by ship, reducing carbon emissions in the process.” The company said it was actively seeking partnerships with cargo drone operators and services providers to help grow the supply chain. ⭐Ørsted is a member of the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network, a worldwide network of companies and executives involved in the engineering, manufacturing and production of #projectcargo. The next in-person meet-up for BGSN members will be at Breakbulk Americas 2024 on 15-17 October in Houston. See the link in the comments section below to find out how the BGSN can benefit your company. #bbam2024 #breakbulkamericas

Ørsted has set a new benchmark in renewable energy by deploying heavy-lift cargo drones (HLCDs) for maintenance at the Borssele 1&2 offshore wind farm in the Netherlands. This groundbreaking initiative marks the first time HLCDs have been used in an operational campaign, following successful trials in 2023 at the Hornsea One wind farm in the UK. These 70-kilogram drones are designed to transport cargo of up to 100 kilograms between vessels and Borssele's 94 wind turbines. The current campaign focuses on updating critical evacuation and safety equipment across the turbines. A drone can complete tasks in minutes that would typically take hours. What usually takes six hours now takes just four minutes per turbine, making the process 10-15 times faster. This innovation not only reduces costs and downtime but also enhances safety by minimising risks to personnel and decreasing carbon emissions by cutting down on ship journeys. As Ørsted continues to pioneer the use of autonomous drones in offshore wind, we cannot help but draw parallels to the potential applications in Australia’s rapidly growing offshore wind sector. The efficiency gains and safety improvements demonstrated here could be instrumental in advancing our projects. #renewableenergy #sustainability #innovation #offshorewind #drones #windfarm #dronesinenergy #borssele #orsted #evoegy

In today's fast-evolving oil and gas industry, maintaining the safety and efficiency of offshore operations is crucial. Traditional methods of helideck inspections have been time-consuming, costly, and fraught with risks. However, the advent of drone technology has revolutionised these inspections, offering a multitude of benefits that significantly enhance operational efficiency and safety.   Drones have made it possible to conduct comprehensive inspections of offshore helidecks with unprecedented precision and safety. They offer the ability to closely inspect the structure of helidecks, including the surface, support beams, guardrails, and even the lighting systems, for any signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. This level of detail extends to assessing the condition of safety netting and supports, verifying the clarity and visibility of heliport markings and signage, and ensuring that adjacent support structures do not pose a hazard to helicopter operations.   Beyond structural integrity, drones facilitate predictive maintenance by identifying potential issues before they escalate into serious problems, thus optimising asset performance and reducing the risk of costly downtime.    One of the most significant advantages of using drones for helideck inspections is the substantial reduction in risk to human inspectors. Traditionally, accessing the various parts of an offshore rig required physical manoeuvring across potentially hazardous areas. Drones eliminate this need, allowing inspections to be conducted from a safe distance without compromising on the quality or thoroughness of the inspection process.   Moreover, drones contribute to mitigating lost revenue by dramatically reducing the time required for inspections. Traditional inspections, which could take weeks and necessitate shutting down operations, can now be completed in a matter of days without interrupting ongoing activities, leading to significant savings, and minimised operational disruptions.   The integration of drones into offshore helideck inspections marks a significant leap forward in enhancing the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of these critical operations. By leveraging drone technology, the oil and gas industry can achieve higher standards of safety and operational excellence, ensuring a more secure and sustainable future.   For those in the oil and gas sector, embracing drone technology for offshore helideck inspections is not just an option; it's a strategic imperative that promises to redefine the landscape of offshore operations.   Contact us for further information office@flightsafety.com.au   #drones #helidecks #offshore #oilandgas #helideckinspections #CAP437   *Image AI generated

Ørsted (the global leader in offshore wind) has launched the world’s first heavy-lift cargo drone operations at the Borssele 1&2 Offshore Wind Farm. This move marks a significant leap forward in operational efficiency and safety in the offshore wind industry. These drones can transport up to 100kg of cargo directly to the wind turbines, reducing the time and cost of operations by up to 15 times compared to traditional methods. Learn more: https://heyor.ca/UtJvwY At ApplyDrone, we use advanced drone technology to optimise efficiency and safety across various industries: https://heyor.ca/4m3UZa #Ørsted #OffshoreWind #HeavyLiftDrones #CargoDrones #WindEnergy #RenewableEnergy