Introduction

Safe and reliable pipeline operations are critical for transporting oil, gas, and other commodities. However, manually inspecting vast pipeline networks across tough terrains is challenging, costly, and can miss problems developing underground.

New solutions are needed to conduct frequent, extensive pipeline inspections safely and efficiently. SkyX provides an innovative solution through autonomous drones, AI-powered analytics, and cloud-based data integration.

In this article, we explore the aerial inspection technology from SkyX transforming how pipeline integrity surveys are performed. By enabling autonomous drones to scan miles of pipeline corridor and precisely detect potential faults, SkyX offers superior inspection capabilities compared to traditional methods.

Pipeline companies using SkyX can conduct inspections more frequently, at lower cost, with greater coverage, and without putting inspectors at risk. This allows identifying and remediating issues proactively before they lead to leaks, ruptures, or other failures.

Let’s examine how SkyX is pioneering the next generation of accurate, automated aerial monitoring to keep energy pipelines safe and productive.

Company Overview

SkyX was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Ontario, Canada. The company focuses exclusively on developing aerial solutions for monitoring energy infrastructure including pipelines, power lines, and renewables.

Some key facts about SkyX:

• Founders have backgrounds in aerospace, robotics and software engineering
• Raised over $13 million in funding as of 2020
• Working with major midstream operators including TC Energy and Pembina Pipeline
• Partnered with leading drone manufacturers like Doosan Mobility
• Named a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer company

SkyX was founded by CEO Didi Horn and CTO Ben Nassi after they recognized the potential for drones and AI to transform industrial inspection processes.

The company now employs over 40 engineers, developers, geospatial experts and commercial UAV pilots focused on its aerial monitoring solutions. SkyX’s mission is to make infrastructure inspection accurate, automated, and safe.

Technology for Aerial Inspections

The core of SkyX’s automated aerial inspection solution comprises specialized drone hardware and AI-powered software:

Autonomous Drones – SkyX leverages commercial UAV platforms but equips them with additional sensors and onboard processing. Advanced algorithms enable the drones to fly fixed routes, adapt to conditions, and complete missions without human piloting.

Sensors – High resolution visual, thermal, LiDAR, and hyperspectral cameras capture detailed imagery. Onboard methane sniffers detect leaks. Unique stabilization keeps sensors steady for crisp data capture.

Edge Processing – Imagery is processed during flight using onboard GPUs and analytics algorithms to identify and geo-tag potential defects, leaks, encroachments etc. This edge computing approach optimizes data flows.

Cloud Analytics – Once the drone lands, full datasets are processed using AI/ML algorithms on the cloud for enhanced diagnostics and reporting. Users access analytics via web and mobile apps.

Dashboard – Customizable dashboard visualizes flight routes, infrastructure scanned, detected anomalies and defects highlighted on imagery, and reporting tools. Users can digitally twin pipeline corridors.

By integrating robust drones, next-gen sensors, edge/cloud processing, and intelligent analytics, SkyX provides the leading end-to-end solution for automated aerial pipeline inspection.

Key Benefits

SkyX delivers significant advantages over traditional manual pipeline inspection methods:

• Frequent Inspections – Drones can monitor pipelines consistently instead of periodic manual inspections. More frequent scans identify issues early.
• Extensive Coverage – Automated drones can cover hundreds of kilometers per day over all terrains, maximizing coverage.
• Precise Data – High-res sensors and stabilization allow capturing imagery with accuracy superior to manual methods.
• Rapid Data Analysis – Onboard processors and AI analyze imagery in real-time, accelerating defect identification.
• Enhanced Safety – Keeping inspectors off pipelines removes risks of working on remote, hazardous infrastructure.
• Lower Cost – Automatinginspections reduces reliance on large manual teams and cuts costs significantly.
• Proactive Repairs – Identifying defects early via frequent scans allows repairing problems proactively before failures occur.
• Optimized Operations – By detecting leaks and encroachments early, pipelines can keep operating efficiently.
• Scalability – The drone fleet and cloud platform enable seamlessly inspecting thousands of miles of infrastructure.

By transitioning from manual to automated aerial monitoring, companies can achieve substantial improvements in safety, frequency, quality, cost, and proactive maintenance.

Use Cases

SkyX’s automated aerial inspection platform is versatile for supporting various pipeline monitoring operations:

• Integrity Inspections – Regularly scheduled integrity assessment flights per regulatory requirements that scan entire pipeline corridors.
• Damage Assessments – Rapidly deploy drones post incidents/disasters to safely inspect pipelines for any damage.
• Leak Detection – Equip drones with methane sensors to detect and locate any gas leaks along the route.
• Construction Monitoring – Monitor pipeline construction progress and compliance.
• Route Planning – Survey and map optimal routes for new pipelines by easily scanning large areas.
• Perimeter Monitoring – Use drones to regularly check pipeline ROWs for any encroachments or illegal tapping.
• Environment Audits – Scan for any environmental issues like erosion, vegetation risks, or hazards to wildlife.
• Security Surveillance – Provide enhanced monitoring, intrusion detection and emergency response for pipelines.
• Decommissioning – Final inspection of pipelines being decommissioned and abandoned to ensure proper planning.

SkyX is continually expanding the capabilities of its platform. The technology provides a versatile solution for safer, more efficient, lower cost pipeline inspection operations.

Conclusion

SkyX is leading the deployment of drone technology and AI-powered analytics to transform pipeline inspection. By enabling autonomous drones to scanned miles of infrastructure with precision sensors, SkyX offers a superior solution compared to manual monitoring.

Companies using SkyX’s platform can conduct inspections exponentially faster, more frequently, and with greater coverage at a fraction of the cost and risk. Automation makes pipeline surveillance continuous instead of periodic. Issues get identified early for proactive repair before any failures.

As infrastructure ages and mileage expands, but skilled inspectors become scarce, solutions like SkyX will become essential. Drone coverage and AI analytics address the sector’s growing data demands.

With partnerships across the industry, SkyX is poised for significant growth as pipeline companies seek ways to inspect safely, efficiently, and intelligently. Their technology could emerge as the new gold standard for aerial pipeline integrity programs.

SkyX represents the innovative use of drones, sensors, and data science that will shape the future of critical infrastructure monitoring and maintenance. Their platform enables pipeline companies to gain unparalleled visibility into the condition of assets.