Why Refineries Choose Drone Inspection
Singapore's refineries on Jurong Island process millions of barrels of crude oil annually, operating complex networks of columns, heat exchangers, reactors, furnaces, and storage tanks. Every asset requires periodic inspection — and every hour of shutdown costs substantial revenue. Drone inspection has become an essential tool for refinery turnaround planning because it delivers better data in less time with fewer safety risks.
During a major turnaround, refineries typically need to inspect dozens of tall structures, hundreds of pipe runs, and numerous vessels. Traditional methods require scaffold crews, rope access teams, and confined space entry procedures — all competing for limited turnaround window time. Drones bypass these bottlenecks by capturing external inspection data without scaffold and internal data without human entry.
Major refinery operators on Jurong Island have adopted drone inspection as a standard practice for turnaround planning and execution, recognising the dual benefits of faster inspection cycles and improved worker safety.
Refinery Inspection Capabilities
Pre-Turnaround Assessment
Drone surveys of all external assets before shutdown begins, identifying priority areas and optimising scaffold placement for only those locations requiring hands-on NDE.
During-Turnaround Inspection
Rapid internal inspection of vessels, columns, and tanks using confined space drones. External close-up inspection of areas identified as defective during pre-TA surveys.
Post-Repair Verification
Drone flyover after repairs to document completed work, verify coating condition, and create a baseline for the next inspection cycle.
Routine Surveillance
Between turnarounds, periodic drone surveys monitor external corrosion progression, insulation cladding condition, and structural support integrity.
Refinery Inspection Pricing
| Service | Scope | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-TA Survey Package | Full unit external survey | $5,000 — $15,000 |
| Turnaround Support (daily) | Dedicated crew on-site | $3,000 — $5,000/day |
| Single Asset Inspection | Column, tower, or tank | $3,000 — $8,000 |
| Routine Surveillance | Quarterly external survey | $2,000 — $5,000 |
We offer dedicated turnaround packages with crews stationed on-site for the duration of the shutdown. Contact us for project-based pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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