Gubkinsky, YNAO. RN-Purneftegaz, which is part of Rosneft's oil and gas production complex, is increasing overflights of production facilities and pipelines using Russian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in 2022. The number of aerial monitoring routes increased from 8 to 17, monthly kilometers increased to 6,700 km.

The use of drones significantly increases the efficiency of greenhouse gas level control and industrial safety at oil and gas treatment, refining and transportation facilities.

Environmental conservation is an integral part of Rosneft's corporate culture. The Company aims to achieve leadership in minimizing its environmental footprint and environmental friendliness of its operations. "Rosneft prioritizes environmental protection and industrial safety. Since 2019, Rosneft has been implementing a comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The expansion of this program, as well as the introduction of innovations - unmanned aerial vehicles, laser and thermal imaging scanning devices, ultrasonic detectors - consistently contribute to minimizing environmental impact.

Aerial monitoring is carried out using a remote laser scanner and a high-resolution video camera mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles. Camera processing is also carried out in real time, and a photographic plan and heat map are prepared in case any deviations are detected.

The UAVs used have high technical characteristics: with their small size (take-off weight 10.5 kg) an aviation complex can stay in the air for at least 4 hours and can fly a distance of 250 km. Since the beginning of 2022 the UAV has been equipped with advanced software for automatic processing of aerial survey data. Data processing is carried out using an artificial neural network, a self-learning system that reduces the role of the human factor in interpreting video and photo materials and increases the speed of their processing. This allows the computer to simultaneously recognize at least 40 different objects and draw conclusions about their technical condition.

 "RN-Purneftegaz has extensive experience in using drones to monitor the condition of oil and gas production facilities. Drones are of benefit not only to the oil industry. In case unauthorized landfills or forest fires are detected during production overflights, RN-Purneftegas employees proactively inform the Purovsky District Unified Dispatch Service (UDDS).