MODEC has renewed its joint research and development (R&D) agreement with Terra Drone, reinforcing their collaboration on using drone technology to carry out internal inspections of crude oil storage tanks aboard floating production, storage, and offloading units (FPSOs). The partnership marks a critical step in advancing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for high-risk industrial inspections, with both companies aiming to improve operational safety, accuracy, and efficiency offshore.
The renewed agreement builds on a 2024 R&D contract that resulted in significant technological breakthroughs, especially in operations aboard FPSOs operating offshore Brazil. Terra Drone’s proprietary Terra UT drone was at the centre of those developments, enabling non-destructive internal inspections that significantly reduced human exposure to hazardous environments.
Innovation at Sea: Why FPSO Inspections Matter
In the offshore oil and gas industry, regular inspections of FPSO tanks are not just routine; they are essential. These massive vessels, which process and store crude oil at sea, require internal structural checks that typically involve confined-space entry and exposure to potentially hazardous substances. Historically, these inspections demanded a high level of manpower and carried notable risks.
“The ability to safely perform inspections without increasing the number of personnel onboard offers a significant advantage,” MODEC stated, highlighting the dual challenge of maintaining safety while minimising crew size during ongoing production operations.
Terra Drone’s UAV technology answers that challenge. By equipping drones with ultrasonic sensors and gas detectors, the companies have managed to reduce not only the inspection time but also the potential danger to human inspectors. The drones can navigate tight, enclosed tank interiors while collecting detailed structural data work that would otherwise require manual inspection teams and extended downtime.
Key Achievements in Brazil Fuel Broader Vision
The initial collaboration yielded strong results. The Terra UT drone proved successful in reducing inspection duration, increasing cleaning efficiency, and significantly enhancing measurement accuracy through upgraded ultrasonic sensors. Adding a gas detector further bolstered safety during operations, an especially vital feature in combustible environments like FPSO tanks.
These successes were achieved on active FPSOs stationed offshore Brazil, where the technology underwent real-world testing. According to both firms, these trials demonstrated not just the feasibility but the practical reliability of drone-led internal inspections, setting the stage for global deployment.
What’s Next: Structural Enhancements and Global Readiness
Under the renewed agreement, MODEC and Terra Drone aim to push the boundaries further. Future development will focus on optimising the drone’s airframe to enhance robustness and stability, ensuring the drone can handle a broader range of operational conditions across global offshore locations.
Additionally, the companies are working on integrating high-resolution cameras to augment visual inspection capabilities, complementing the drone’s ultrasonic data with clear imagery of tank interiors. Another major initiative involves redesigning the airframe to improve maintainability, with the goal of making the drones easier to service and deploy at scale.
These enhancements are part of a larger strategy to make drone-based inspections not just viable, but the new industry standard.
Industry Impact: Fewer People, Safer Ships
This partnership speaks to a larger shift in offshore operations, one that emphasises automation, safety, and operational efficiency. As MODEC notes, the continued development of drone inspection techniques offers a triple benefit: improved occupational safety, reduced manpower requirements, and increased operational efficiency.
The implication for the offshore oil and gas sector is significant. As pressure mounts to improve safety standards and reduce costs, autonomous solutions like the Terra UT drone represent a promising path forward.
With this renewed R&D commitment, MODEC and Terra Drone are not just refining a successful technology; they are helping to shape the future of offshore inspection and maintenance. Their efforts signal a new era where intelligent machines work alongside humans to create safer and smarter energy infrastructure worldwide.
