Shell Deploys Drones to Expedite Post-Hurricane Production Restarts

Shell Plc has secured a key US regulatory approval to become the first oil producer to deploy drones on its offshore platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. This initiative aims to mitigate the financial impact of production shutdowns caused by hurricanes, with Shell estimating potential savings of nearly $50 million over three years.

The British energy company, which is the largest producer in the Gulf of Mexico, stated that the investment in drone technology is "in the thousands." The company anticipates that by using drones, it can reduce the time taken to restart production by a full day after severe storms. This move is part of a broader effort to cut costs, with Shell’s Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan having initiated a cost-reduction programme targeting $5 billion to $7 billion by the end of 2028.

Enhancing Post-Storm Assessment

Historically, hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico have caused significant disruptions, with platforms often remaining shut for days or weeks while crews await safety assessments. Traditional methods involve helicopter fly-overs and on-site inspections, a process that can take a full day to mobilise and execute. Kevin McMahon, Vice President of Production Assets in the Gulf of America for Shell, noted that the company loses production when evacuations are necessary. He stated that platform-based drones will enable inspections to be performed sooner after a storm, providing a competitive advantage.

Shell's new system will utilise battery-powered drones, approximately 2.5 feet wide, launched directly from platforms. These drones are equipped with powerful lenses to inspect for leaks and damaged equipment, transmitting live reports to shore via Starlink satellite broadband. Ross Doak, Senior Robotics Engineer leading the project, highlighted that this approach allows for detailed damage surveys to begin much earlier than competitors relying on conventional aerial assessments.

Regulatory Milestone and Future Expansion

The deployment of drones on offshore platforms in international waters was previously limited by a lack of specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Shell successfully obtained an FAA waiver earlier this year, a process that reportedly took two years to complete. The first drone, part of the IRN-Maiden project, is expected to be installed on a platform within the Mars project in the deep-water Gulf of Mexico, approximately 130 miles south of New Orleans, before the end of the year.

Shell plans to introduce at least five more drones in the Gulf of Mexico by 2027. The company is also evaluating the potential to expand this drone technology to other offshore assets, including those in the North Sea and Africa. The drones will be housed in hurricane-proof containers on the platforms to ensure their resilience during severe weather events.

According to gCaptain, citing Bloomberg, the first drone installation is scheduled for before year-end, with further deployments planned for 2027.