API Publishes New Guide for Innovative Drone Use in Natural …

May 31, 2019 (Euclid Infotech Ltd via COMTEX) —

API announced the publication of its Guide for Developing a UAS Program in the Oil and Natural Gas Industry, which will help ensure worker and operational safety as the industry introduces drones in its operations.

API is excited to announce a new guide for drone programs in the natural gas and oil industry, which have and will continue to grow significantly as new systems, applications, sensors and techniques are developed to make drone operations more tailored to the industry. The industry works to continuously integrate the latest technology, including the use of drones, to enhance safety and increase efficiencies in operations. However, before adopting their use, operators need to consider data protection, standard operating procedures, contingency planning, and risk management, said Suzanne Lemieux, manager in APIs midstream and industry operations group. Safety is always our industrys top priority, and this guide ensures owners, operators, and service providers that are considering entering the industry all introduce UAS into operations in a thoughtful way.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the natural gas and oil industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. APIs more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nations energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 47 million Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In its first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.