A drone business development expert has said that drone industry is demonstrating tremendous potential in terms of industrial application, especially in energy sector.
Ricky Yu, business development director of Houston-based LinkedAll Products Inc, told the 2019 Energy Industry Theme Reception, held in Houston, U.S. state of Texas on Tuesday night during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has forecast the drone market will grow dramatically by 2022.
"The number of FAA registered commercial drones was 158,000 in 2018, and the number is expected to hit 452,000 in 2022," he said.
According to Yu, the commercial drones are now mainly used in such industries as energy, construction and agriculture. "Why oil and gas companies invest in drones? Because this can reduce cost, increase efficiency and enhance safety," he said.
Drones enable employees to conduct inspection and monitor tasks without exposing themselves to the typical dangers of oil and gas operations. Moreover, drones provide a flexible platform for a wide range of cameras and sensors, which can collect data needed for situations requiring real-time solutions or for later analysis, according to Yu.
Founded in 2015, LinkedAll Products Inc. is currently developing UAV software solution, specifically for oil and gas applications.
Yu said, drone is the gateway to Artificial Intelligence (AI). "Drones are used for inspection and send data to decision makers. "We're trying to integrate the inspection drones and task force drones, which can solve problems as soon as possible," he said.
The 2019 Energy Industry Theme Reception was organized by Nguyen & Chen LLP, a Houston-based law firm, in cooperation with Ernst & Young LLP and Merrill, a Bank of America company.
OTC, the world's largest annual oil and gas trade show, is held in Houston from Monday through Thursday. Chinese participants in the event include state-run leading companies such as China National Offshore Oil Corp. and China National Petroleum Corp., as well as private enterprises from across the country.
The technical program of the four-day event includes more than 80 sessions, industry breakfasts and themed luncheons covering a wide range of topics.
This year's new program, Around the World Series, features global industry leaders from Australia, Canada, France, Ghana, Guyana, Israel, Mexico, Norway and Britain to discuss new licensing and business opportunities, as well as recently introduced technologies.
Founded in 1969, OTC provides a platform for energy professionals to exchange thoughts to advance scientific and technical knowledge on offshore resources and environmental matters.
Editor:Cherie
