A photo of an oil refinery taken with a drone during an inspection

Energy Sector Drone Services Asset inspections and surveys in the oil and gas, solar and wind sectors.

Safer inspections, more accurate suveys, less downtime

We have partnered with the biggest names in Irish energy, whether it's oil and gas, utility-scale solar or wind. Our drone pilots have years of experience in the energy sector, understanding what is safe for the operational assets as well as the personnel on site. Tell us what you need, tell us your timeline. It's our job to deliver it for you.

SolarOil and gasWind energy

Solar industry

We have worked with industry-leading partners at all stages of solar farm project development, from conceptualisation to long-term maintenance. Here's a brief look at what we do for you as you move progress your utitlity-scale solar project through its lifecycle.

Site assessment & planning

Get to know the terrain you're working on. LIDAR and other drone technologies provide advanced terrain analysis, shading evaluations and other feasibility assessments so you can anticipate and mitigate on-site issues before they arise.

Construction & installation

Oversee the construction and installation of your solar panels. Aerial imagery and video offer real-time progress tracking and quality assurance during installation. Join our engineers on site or get tailor-made deliverables direct to your team in HQ.

Operations & maintenance

Keep your solar farm operating at peak efficiency in the long term. Using thermal imaging and other advanced technologies, we can monitor and optimise the performance of your solar panels, ensuring maximum yield and efficiency. Ultra-HD image capture can locate and identify soiling, cracks or other damage.

Regulatory compliance

On an ongoing basis, drones can help ensure and document regulatory compliance in many different areas including: land use and zoning, vegetation clearance, fire and emergency access, component usage, labelling and signage, grid connection compliance and more.

More information

To find out more what we can do for you, visit our solar farm inspection services page.

Oil and gas industry

Our expertise spans the full lifecycle of oil and gas projects, from exploration and development to operations and decommissioning. Here's how our drone services can bring value to your operations at every stage.

Exploration & site assessment

Make informed decisions from the start. Drones equipped with advanced imaging and mapping technologies deliver high-resolution terrain analysis, environmental impact assessments, and site suitability evaluations. Identify risks and optimise site layouts with precision data.

Construction & installation

Monitor and manage the construction of pipelines, refineries, and other critical infrastructure. Aerial imagery and video provide real-time updates on progress and quality assurance, enabling faster issue resolution and ensuring your project stays on schedule.

Operations & maintenance

Maximise uptime and safety across your operations. Drones with thermal imaging and gas detection sensors can identify leaks, hotspots, and corrosion on pipelines, storage tanks, and offshore platforms. Reduce manual inspection risks with precise, non-intrusive technology.

Emissions monitoring

Monitor and reduce environmental impact with precision. Drones equipped with specialised sensors can detect methane leaks, VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions, and other greenhouse gases from pipelines, storage tanks, and facilities. This enables rapid identification and mitigation of emission sources, helping you comply with environmental regulations and meet sustainability goals.

Emergency response

Act swiftly and effectively during emergencies. Drones can quickly assess damage from spills, fires, or natural disasters, providing critical insights to support rapid decision-making. Enhance safety by reducing the need for personnel in hazardous areas.

Regulatory compliance

Stay ahead of compliance requirements with aerial surveys and detailed documentation. Drones can assist in verifying adherence to regulations on environmental impact, pipeline integrity, vegetation management, and site restoration, delivering high-quality evidence for audits and reporting.

More information

You might like to find out more about our work with oil and gas facilities, flares, pipelines, and tanks and silos.

Wind energy industry

From site selection to ongoing operations, UAV drone solutions can optimise the efficiency, safety and reliability of wind energy projects. Here's how we support your wind farm at every stage of its lifecycle.

Site assessment & planning

Lay the groundwork for success. Using LIDAR , photogrammetry, and other advanced drone technologies, we conduct terrain analysis, wind resource mapping, and environmental assessments to help you select the best locations for your turbine array. Reduce development risks with accurate, actionable data.

Construction & installation

Ensure your facility is built to the highest standards. Drones provide real-time aerial imagery and video for progress tracking and quality assurance, helping you oversee construction and verify/document that turbines, foundations, and cables are installed safely and in accordance with regulatory standards.

Operations & maintenance

Drones can perform detailed inspections of turbine blades, detecting cracks, delamination, lightning strikes, or leading-edge erosion. Our precise, close-range imaging ensures even minor issues are identified, enabling targeted repairs and extending the lifespan of your assets.

High-resolution imaging and thermal inspections identify blade damage and other structural issues early. Reduce downtime with proactive maintenance, and minimise risks to workers by eliminating the need for manual inspections.

Regulatory compliance

Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational regulations. Drones document adherence to requirements for turbine spacing, fire and emergency access, vegetation management, and equipment labelling. We provide detailed reports to support audits and inspections.

More information

To find out more what we can do for you, visit our wind turbine inspection services page.

Some of the energy-sector assets we work with most

How does it work?

Reach out and tell us your idea

We take emails, phone calls, messages, everything! If you are unsure of what's possible we are happy to advise, the most important thing is to get in touch. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Start at the end

With drones, it's best to begin where you want to end up. What sort of deliverable would you like when it's all finished? If you are not sure then we can advise. We can look at what you would like and work backwards from there.

Scope of work and set a price

Once we have agreed on what is to be done, the scope of work is set and a price is agreed upon. We feel it is vital that everyone knows what they are getting and what they are paying for it. There should be no confusion.

Permits and other paperwork

Once we have confirmation you are happy to proceed, we start the ball rolling. We organise things like RAMS, site permits, Air Traffic Control clearance and much more. Basically, we generate everything needed to turn up on-site with all our ducks in a row.

Field Operations

Next, we do the work on site. We have the gear, we have the know-how, so now it's time to get the job done. This can sometimes be affected by the weather, but for the most part, we get the job done on the date specified.

Post Processing

This is where we take what we generated in the field and turn it into a final deliverable for you. This can be anything from the raw data itself, to fully processed Orthophotos, condition reports, CAD line work or thermal imagery.

Handover

The final step is the handover of the deliverables. We tend to use a cloud-based service, so you can access your data anywhere. We can also tie into your existing systems if that is more convenient.

Get a quote

Why choose Engineers with Drones?

Qualified engineers

As licensed engineers, we also provide the expertise, understanding, and knowledge necessary to carry out a thorough inspection, with deliverables to match. Our skilled engineers are at the ready.

IAA certification

The Irish Aviation Authority has awarded Engineers with Drones full approval in accordance with the most recent European-wide EASA regulations.

Latest technology

To ensure that you always get the best possible service and cutting-edge deliverables, we purchase the most up-to-date drone technology as soon as it's available.

Rigorous HSSE standards

The operation of Engineers With Drones is governed by a comprehensive HSSE system. Our guiding principles are to reduce risk through rigorous assessment, and to maintain a high level of staff education and training.

Fully insured

We have 6.5 million in public and product liability insurance, and 13 million in employers' liability insurance. Engineers with Drones are fully insured to fly wherever you need.

Based in Ireland

As we're situated in Ireland, we can respond to your needs quickly, with zero travel complications.

First-class deliverables

As seasoned engineers in the field, we are aware of the trouble that shoddy reports and deliverables can create. For this reason, we provide you with exactly what you require.

Quick turnaround times

Thanks to our fast turnaround times, your entire project can be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, without any compromise in the quality of your deliverables.

4K and VR Footage

In addition to quadrupling the resolution of an HD camera, 4K also gives you quicker frame rates, incredible contrast variations, and expanded colours. VR video takes the level of immersion and clarity to the next level.

Energy Sector Drone Services

We have worked with a wide range of energy sector clients, including big names in oil and gas, utility-scale solar and wind energy. Here are just a few of the services our engineers can provide using the latest drone technology.

Photogrammetry

Capture a high-resolution, photorealistic 3D model of your terrain, accurate to the finest details.

Find out more
Internal Confined Spaces

Mitigate the risk factors of traditional confined space inspections, without compromising on quality.

Find out more
Cut and Fill

Receive instant and actionable cut-and-fill data, without downtime or the risk of human error.

Find out more
Drone Photography

Capture high-quality imagery of your assets from never before seen vantage points.

Find out more
Geospatial Surveys

Map the features and topography of your land/space efficiently using drone technology.

Find out more
Volume Calculations

Take accurate stockpile measurements faster and with little to no downtime, at a fraction of the cost.

Find out more
Thermal Imaging

Detect abnormalities within your assets that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

Find out more

How can we help?