By Adewale Sanyaolu

To combat the escalating issue of oil theft, which has robbed the country billions of dollars in revenue, Mr John Aondoaseer Jia, a health, safety, environment, and risk management expert in the oil and gas sector, has urged the Federal Government to deploy drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to address the pervasive problem.

According to Aondoaseer, these technologies could significantly enhance surveillance, detection, and response capabilities, providing a modern solution to a critical issue affecting the nation’s economy.

He expressed concern that the current approach, where companies and the government rely on individuals to physically respond to incidents after reports are made, is taking a significant toll on the psychological well-being of these responders. This practice exposes them to various health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risks, leading to increased stress and psychological strain. He emphasized the need for a more effective and less hazardous method of managing these situations to protect the mental health and safety of those involved in responding to such incidents.

He highlighted that each site involved in oil theft or illegal refining poses a significant risk, as these locations can rapidly become volatile and dangerous, making them inherently hostile from a security perspective. He further explained that these sites are often fraught with numerous health, safety, and environmental hazards. These risks include exposure to toxic substances such as harmful gases, ongoing hydrocarbon spills, potentially explosive atmospheres, and the presence of crude oil and various chemicals. The hazardous conditions at these sites underscore the urgent need for robust safety measures and effective risk management strategies.

To reverse these negative downsides, he said the integration of drones and AI will achieve tremendous benefits and better results than current response methods of putting people first as responders – civilian or military.

The HSE expert explained that drones equipped with high-resolution cameras and sensors can provide continuous aerial surveillance of pipelines, oil facilities, and surrounding areas, capturing real-time data and visual feeds.

‘‘Drones can capture detailed images and videos, allowing for the identification of unauthorized activities, potential threats, and illegal taps on pipelines. In addition to this, a rapid response can be achieved. Drones can be swiftly deployed to areas of interest, significantly reducing response times and allowing for immediate assessment of potential theft activities. In remote areas in particular, Drones can access hard-to-reach or dangerous areas, providing critical information without exposing responders to potential risks.’’ In terms of early detection, Aondoaseer emphasized the value of employing advanced sensors and AI algorithms to identify anomalies such as leaks, illegal taps, and unauthorized movements along pipelines.

These technologies can monitor pipelines continuously, providing real-time alerts to potential issues before they escalate.

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He also advocated for the use of drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, which can detect heat signatures indicative of illegal activities or equipment tampering. These drones are particularly effective in low-visibility conditions, such as at night or within dense vegetation, enhancing the ability to monitor and secure remote areas.

“Additionally, the visible presence of drones can serve as a powerful deterrent to potential thieves, thereby reducing the likelihood of theft attempts and contributing to overall security efforts.

“While in flight, drones programmed to send automated alerts can automatically alert security personnel and local authorities upon detecting suspicious activities, enabling rapid intervention”, he added.

On why AI Integration is important, the expert argued that by integrating AI and machine learning, drones can analyze historical data and current surveillance feeds to predict potential theft hotspots and optimise patrol routes.

According to him,  predictive analytics can also provide Real-time data thus enhancing decision-making processes, enabling more effective allocation of resources and targeted interventions.

On Cost efficiency, he maintained drones are relatively inexpensive to operate compared to traditional patrol methods thus reducing overall security costs.

‘‘Companies are aware of how much is spent in deploy security, operational support that sometimes is not fit for purpose leading to making additional deployments in the case of repairs and evacuation of either spilled inventories or those in tanks.

“Also, there is no cost compared to preventing fatalities and injuries for responders. In addition, early detection and rapid response as the case may be due to deployment of drones can prevent extensive damage to infrastructure, reducing repair and maintenance costs”, he said.