Top 5 Use Cases for Drones and Robotics in Oil and Gas

Across the oil and gas industry, drones and ground robots are becoming essential operational tools. From autonomous inspections and confined-space assessments to logistics and environmental monitoring, unmanned systems are helping operators improve safety, reduce costs, and make faster, more informed decisions.

What makes these technologies especially compelling is not just what they can do, but how quickly they are scaling. Oil and gas companies are moving beyond pilot programs and deploying drones and robots across large, complex assets—often in some of the most challenging environments on earth.

Below are five real-world use cases that show how drones and robotics are delivering measurable value in oil and gas operations—and why many operators see them as foundational to the future of energy.

1. Chevron’s Autonomous Drone Inspections with Percepto

Chevron’s collaboration with Percepto highlights how autonomous, docked drones are reshaping inspection programs across large upstream assets. Instead of sending personnel into the field for routine checks, Chevron uses AI-enabled drones to conduct scheduled and on-demand inspections from fixed base stations.

These autonomous systems collect visual and gas-detection data, flag anomalies using AI, and allow teams to monitor assets remotely from centralized control centers. The results include:

• Fewer site visits

• Reduced drive time

• Improved safety

• Faster access to actionable insights 

Read the full article to learn how Chevron is using autonomous drone-in-a-box systems to scale inspections while improving safety and operational efficiency.

2. Spot at Cargill: Autonomous Inspections 

At Cargill’s Amsterdam Multiseed facility, Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot is playing a key role in modernizing inspections. As part of Cargill’s “Plant of the Future” initiative, Spot performs routine maintenance inspections and safety checks in the oilseed crushing and refinery areas—tasks that were previously done manually by operators walking the plant floor.

Equipped with a thermal imaging camera, acoustic sensors, and a high-resolution PTZ camera, Spot conducts repeatable inspection missions to detect overheating equipment, air and gas leaks, dust buildup, and other early indicators of mechanical or safety issues. These inspections generate consistent, high-quality data that gives Cargill teams information on real-time conditions and historical trends.

The ability to run daily—and even hourly—inspections has helped Cargill identify problems that would have been difficult or impractical to catch through manual checks alone. Spot reduces the need for personnel to enter potentially hazardous areas and allows operators to spend less time on routine inspections and more time on proactive maintenance, planning, and decision-making.

Read the full article to learn how Cargill is using Spot as part of its “Plant of the Future” strategy with autonomous inspections in energy-intensive industrial operations.

3. Drone Inspections for Piperacks: Cutting Costs and Risk

Piperacks are among the most difficult and dangerous assets to inspect. Traditional inspection methods often require scaffolding, rope access, or cherry pickers, which introduces significant safety risks, extended downtime, and high costs.

To address these challenges, Turner Specialty Services deployed the Flyability Elios 3 to inspect more than 2,000 feet of elevated piperacks—some located up to 50 feet above ground. The entire project was completed in just two days and 39 flights and reduced inspection costs by approximately 60% compared to traditional methods.

The Elios 3’s collision-tolerant cage, high-resolution 4K camera, and onboard LiDAR allowed Turner’s team to safely navigate complex piperack structures and capture detailed visual data and point clouds. This data allowed assessment of insulation, valves, and structural conditions without putting inspectors at height. 

Read the full article to see how Turner Specialty Services is using the Elios 3 to make piperack inspections safer, faster, and more cost-effective across industrial energy sites.

4. Heavy-Lift Cargo Drones for Energy Logistics

Beyond inspection, drones are also being used to transform energy logistics. Heavy-lift cargo drones are now capable of transporting spare parts, tools, and safety equipment to remote and offshore sites—reducing reliance on helicopters, boats, and ground vehicles.

These systems offer faster delivery times, lower operational costs, reduced emissions, and improved safety by limiting manned flights. Challenges remain with load capacity limits, battery life, and regulatory changes, but heavy-lift drones are proving to have real operational use across oil, gas, and offshore wind environments.

Read the full article to learn how cargo drones are reshaping supply chains in remote energy operations.

5. Suncor’s Enterprise-Scale Drone Program

Suncor’s drone program shows what happens when unmanned systems are deployed at scale across an energy enterprise. What started as ad hoc drone flights has grown into a mature program supporting thousands of missions per year.

Drones are now used for surveying, volumetric mapping, powerline inspections, offshore asset checks, environmental monitoring, and even wildlife deterrence. By combining internal expertise with trusted partners—and by focusing on high-frequency, high-value data—Suncor has embedded drones into daily operations rather than treating them as a niche tool.

Read the full article to see how Suncor built one of the most advanced drone programs in the energy sector.

What These Use Cases Tell Us About the Future of Oil and Gas

Taken together, these five examples make one thing clear: drones and robotics are becoming embedded in modern oil and gas operations.

Whether it’s autonomous inspections, robotic monitoring, confined-space assessments, logistics, or large-scale surveying, unmanned systems are delivering safer workflows, better data, and faster decision-making. As autonomy increases and regulations continue to mature, their role will only expand.

These case studies are examples of what we saw in 2025. Want to get ahead for 2026? Mark your calendar for the 2026 Energy Drone & Robotics Summit, June 22-24, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Registration will open soon, so plan to join us for the 10th installment of this high-flying industry event!