Scope Overview

TAQA required a dependable and efficient inspection solution to complete a full topsides structural review across three offshore platforms in the North Sea. Innovair was engaged to deliver a campaign that improved data quality, reduced risk, and supported targeted follow on work where physical access was required.

The goal was clearer structural insight, reduced reliance on overboard rope access, and improved planning for focused maintenance activity.

The Challenge

Offshore structures present complex access restrictions and increased risk when inspections rely solely on traditional rope access or scaffolding. TAQA needed a consistent, accurate, and safe inspection method across multiple assets.

Manual approaches often led to issues such as:

• Limited visibility of structural areas due to physical access constraints.

• Increased safety exposure for inspection teams working over water.

• Longer inspection durations that affected offshore schedules.

• Inconsistent data that made year on year comparison difficult.

The Solution

All imagery was captured using the DJI Matrice 300 RTK with specialist camera payloads. Innovair deployed its drone based topside inspection system to deliver high clarity imagery and structural coverage across all three platforms.

• Targeted inspection of flare systems, helidecks, derricks, jacket members, underdecks, and platform structures.

• More than twenty flights completed per platform across a two week mobilisation

• Reliable RTK deployment from helidecks and pipe decks with stable performance in demanding offshore conditions

• Equipment and battery sets inter fielded between assets to maintain efficient operations and reduce unnecessary transport

The Results

• Full inspection of all targeted structural elements without the need for rope access in overboard locations.

• Large volume of high quality visual and thermal data captured within a short offshore window.

• Structural issues identified and reported promptly to support timely integrity decisions.

• All operations completed safely with no disruption to concurrent platform activity.

Want more information?

Download the full case study to understand how drone based inspections cut campaign duration by around 70% while improving data quality across all three platforms.