Skipper NDT Uses Drone to Make Pipeline Maintenance Quicker, Safer, and More Precise
The drone-based platform covers the blind spot in current technology.
Skipper NDT Co-founder and COO, Luigi Kassir, spoke on locating underground infrastructure using a drone, during a March 23, 2022, SUMSF (The Subsurface Utility Mapping Strategy Forum) live stream presentation.
Kassir explained the use of this technology is to perform high precision pipeline mapping for pipeline and service operators. The objective of the drone is to be a new tool to help perform enhanced pipeline maintenance services.
Luigi Kassir, Skipper NDT Co-founder and COO
There are three main advantages to this technology. One is the speed of execution. Skipper can gather data with a drone much quicker than traditional land-based technology. The second advantage is safety. A drone allows the operator to stay safe no matter the terrain or weather conditions. The third advantage is precision. Skipper NDT Technology has patented algorithms that process data automatically. Since there is minimal human intervention, there are fewer errors.
A few applications of drone technology are easily found. It is quick, with high precision mapping of underground utilities, as well as making mapping river crossings, known to be time and resource-intensive, much easier. In the case of a geo-hazard event, Skipper NDT has proven to be precise. Kassir further discussed the many field applications of the drone.
There are also competitive advantages, such as the continuity of detection, the precision of measurements, speed of data acquisition and processing, and access to the entire network while having high safety standards.
This technology has been deployed all over the world. It has proven to be quick, safe, and precise for pipeline maintenance operations. Skipper NDT aims to further deploy the technology to pipeline operators and service providers in both the energy and utility sectors.
Kassir says the technology is ready to be used.
A deep, heartfelt thank you to Skipper NDT, a Silver Sponsor for SUMSF, 2022.
An interesting Q and A session followed the presentation. You can watch the live-streamed presentation on Youtube below.
