“RussNeft” expands the use of pilotless aerial vehicles at Variogan block

PJSC “RussNeft” commenced active use of helicopter-type pilotless aerial vehicles at the oilfields of Variogan oil block.

Drones allow to solve logistical problems on the field, as the drones can easily run at an altitude of up to 0.5 km, automatically detecting and bypassing obstacles. Under unfavorable weather conditions the drone is more effective than satellites due to higher resolution when taking photos.

In addition, the use of the drone provides an additional opportunity for monitoring the operation of industrial facilities.

The first drones began to be used to support surveying in the oilfields development of the Varyogan oil block back in 2018.

The main objectives of the use of drones remain: operational monitoring of the implementation of construction and installation works,

control over timber felling, inspection of oil-contaminated hard-to-reach areas, providing photo and video materials to the regional forestry departments for the purposes of the forest areas reinstatement acceptance, as well as performing aerial photography to create digital orthophotoplans, which will allow creating and using updated digital cartographic materials to address operations issues.