NIS has continued to use innovative technologies in oil and gas exploration by conducting drone surveying of the well field and surface infrastructure at the Kikinda oil field. This method allows for fast and efficient data collection, which will serve as the basis for further geological research and the creation of detailed site models.
The results of the drone survey include an accurate digital terrain model, orthophoto images, and point clouds, providing a detailed view of the area. The data is also used in design, assisting planners in pipeline, facility, and infrastructure planning. Drone surveys were used instead of traditional geodetic methods, with photos and markers placed before flight, yielding terrain points with precision within 15-20 millimeters. The drones can cover up to 90 hectares daily at an altitude of 190 meters, with a pixel accuracy of 3 cm.
Additionally, advancements in drone technology now allow the use of drones equipped with LIDAR systems, which penetrate vegetation to capture real ground elevations, or thermal cameras to detect pipe leaks.
Aleksandar Knežević, director of the Engineering Department at NIS’s Scientific and Technological Center, emphasized that drone surveys significantly improve the efficiency and quality of project preparation. “Large areas can be surveyed quickly, and the orthophoto image brings the location to life, allowing designers to assess different aspects of the terrain without returning to the field,” said Knežević. This method saved seven days in the project process, enhancing both competitiveness and appeal to new generations of engineers.
