Whether or not the offshore sector bounces back this year, operators might gain an advantage by adopting new technologies and innovative vessel designs. Aerial drones have proven their worth in a number of industrial applications, from patrolling and inspecting farmland to providing surveillance of remotely located equipment and plant. It is perhaps inevitable, therefore, that this technology should be adopted by the offshore sector. As our interview with Mick Borwell of Oil and Gas UK demonstrates (see page 13), these drones can play an important role in accessing and inspecting restricted and confined spaces, without the costs, impracticality and safety risks typically associated with flying out personnel to assess these locations.
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