CASE C20 · CA · 2023
Canadian Natural Resources: drone UT thickness readings on a stack without crane access
In 2023 CNRL trialled drone-based UT thickness readings on a stack at a facility in northern Alberta. No crane or insulation removal was needed and the work took under an hour. The probe was a prototype, only four points were measured, and no cost was reported.
| Owner | Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) |
| Provider | Osprey Integrity |
| Location | Northern Alberta, Canada |
| Aircraft | Flyability Elios 3 with prototype UT payload |
| Sensors | ultrasonic thickness (UT) probe, camera |
Before
An insulation specialist was lifted by crane or MEWP to strip insulation, then a UT technician was lifted to measure, then insulation was replaced.
With drones
A UT-equipped drone, flown from a heated shelter, took readings at four cardinal points on the stack.
Outcomes
| Metric | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| process time | under 60 minutes in total | Reported |
| equipment | no crane or MEWP needed; no work at height | Reported |
| cost / downtime | not reported | Reported |
Caveats & limits
- Manufacturer case study; the probe was a pre-production prototype.
- Only four measurement points were taken, far fewer than a full thickness survey.
- No cost data or discussion of unsuitable conditions.
Sources
- A drone stack inspection with the Elios 3 UTFlyability Full text read
Sources checked: 2026-10-22