Locating Underground Infrastructure Using a Drone

Utility and energy buried pipelines represent an extensive underground network covering most of a country's territory. Their precise lateral, horizontal positioning along with their depth of cover is a critical element of any operator's GIS. It enables to deploy more accurate pipeline predictive maintenance models and avoid third party interferences. The latter being identified as one of the main causes of pipeline failures. The 2020 CGA Dirt report states that 32% of reported incidents were due to poor locating practices with 38% being linked with locator's error. 

In addition to potential locating errors, specific areas can be challenging to inspect with a ground based equipment such as:

- Rural areas with cultivated fields or the presence of kettle 

- River crossings

- Areas affected by weather and outside forces (WOF)

Skipper NDT fully automated unmanned areal vehicle (UAV) system relying on mathematical models enables to rapidly gather high precision data over large areas. Related maintenance services are possible thanks to this technology such as out of straightness assessment.