Drone technology supports targeted compliance inspections
The Petroleum Regulation team recently undertook a week-long inspection across various onshore gas sites in the Beetaloo Sub-basin. The inspection focused on wet season preparedness at each site and capturing updated drone imagery of baseline environmental conditions around petroleum sites.
Officers used drone technology to capture detailed aerial imagery of operational areas, surrounding vegetation, and nearby environmental receptors. This approach provided a more complete view of site conditions, including areas that are difficult to access on foot, and allowed the team to assess how existing controls were performing under current conditions.
The high-resolution imagery also supports ongoing environmental monitoring by providing a clear baseline against which future changes in vegetation and environmental features can be measured, helping the team detect potential impacts early and respond efficiently if incidents occur.
The inspection found that sites were compliant with key wet season management requirements, including maintaining suitable freeboard and ensuring tanks and infrastructure were properly covered and secured. While on site, petroleum officers met with Department of Mining and Energy representatives, reinforcing collaboration between regulators.
The inspections form part of the team’s routine compliance monitoring program and demonstrate the Environment Regulation division value of being targeted by focusing effort where it can have the greatest impact.
