See the Invisible Through Drone Base Acoustic Imager Technology
Authors: Hannabi Abdoulelah N. , Musabbeh Kazem H. , Alzahrani Salah 
Published: September 2024

In the Oil & Gas Industry, there is always a demand to overcome all integrity threats and environmental hazard potential, such as invisible gas leaks. Gas leaks may develop due to faulty piping, vents, drains or connections. Thus, failure to conduct leak detection surveys may lead to adverse effects endangering personnel, environmental and property damages, and business interruptions. Leak detection means vary, an acoustic imager is one of the newly introduced method that captures the sound of the leak point in real-time and display it on a screen, making gas leaks visible. Despite the fact that technology advancement has never stopped to adhere to all required safety measure for reliable and efficient operation, the current leak detection survey is executed manually though hand-held device that requires a labor intensive and time-consuming measures. Saudi Aramco, represented by Shaybah Producing Department in collaboration with solution developer / manufacturer managed to integrate a drone base with a special spec. with an acoustic imager that enabled autonomous leak detection surveys that ultimately reduced labor costs, improved safety, and enabled smooth operation.

The main driver behind this intent is to resolve all challenges that enabled autonomous leak detection surveys utilizing a drone base and a suitable leak detection method. During the screening phase, conventional (gas finder camera) and acoustic imager leak detection methods were explored to determine the working envelope that meets the intent objective. Each of these methods were thoroughly evaluated for the purpose of drone base integration. Originally, these methods were not designed to be integrated on the drone base. Thus, an articulated development and manufacturing phase was explored with solutions developer and manufacturer to resolve these challenges including: detection distance, non-contact detection, detection in overhead piping, confined space, type of gas, detection sensitivity, ease of use and calibration.

Autonomous leak detection survey was first successfully conducted in Saudi Aramco, Shaybah Producing Department gas oil separation plant using a drone base acoustic imager technology with a tailored spec. that satisfied all requirements. It was noticed that the advancement of leak detection method has enabled longer distance detection which is an essential feature to achieve autonomous leak detection survey. Hence, conventional leak detection could be of use but with limited capabilities when compared to acoustic imager that possesses a detection distance of more than 100 meter. Integrating a drone base with an acoustic imager given its unique leak detection capability, has enabled autonomous leak detection survey to be successfully carried out with articulated modification to ease the integration and achieve satisfactory results. Several of the unique features that was developed for this specific application includes: Explosion-proof, accurate results, fast data capture (continues detection), long-range and leak rate quantification.