Case Studies
ConocoPhillips DJI Dock trial shows automated inspection benefits
DJI Dock 2 trial between ConocoPhillips and Heliguy demonstrated how automated drone-in-a-box operations can cut inspection times from 8 hours to 16 minutes.
Key takeaways
The project: ConocoPhillips partnered with heliguy™ for a 90-day drone-in-a-box trial at Teesside Oil Terminal.
The technology: DJI Dock 2 enabled automated drone deployments, capturing thermal and visual inspection data.
The site: Testing took place at Greatham Tank Farm, a 375-acre crude oil storage facility with tanks measuring more than 92 metres wide and 20 metres high.
The flights: Two scheduled automated inspection flights daily, overseen by a heliguy™ pilot acting as a safety standby.
The results: Inspection times reduced from 8 hours to 16 minutes, with approximately 250 thermal and optical images captured per mission. All completed flights were conducted without incident.
The future: ConocoPhillips will continue to explore how autonomous drones can support inspection, security, and operational workflows across the terminal.
Trail: By the numbers
90-day field trial.
375-acre tank farm.
8-hour inspection reduced to 16 minutes.
250 thermal and optical images captured per flight.
61% of scheduled flights completed during the trial, staged in winter.
100% of completed flights conducted without incident.
Expert insight
"The use of this technology can be expanded and shared between multiple departments to achieve a variety of tasks, which will further improve safety, integrity, and efficiency at the Teesside Oil Terminal."
- Teesside Plant Manager Dylan Rees
ConocoPhillips concludes successful drone-in-a-box trial
ConocoPhillips has completed a 90-day automated drone trial at its Teesside Oil Terminal, demonstrating how drone-in-a-box technology can dramatically improve the speed, safety, and efficiency of industrial inspections.
Supported by heliguy™, the project utilised a DJI Dock 2 to conduct scheduled automated flights at Greatham Tank Farm, a 375-acre storage facility containing floating-roof crude oil tanks.
The trial was designed to assess whether autonomous drone technology can reliably support routine inspections in a live industrial environment while generating actionable asset data and reducing operational burden.
Why ConocoPhillips tested drone-in-a-box technology
The Teesside Oil Terminal has used piloted drones to inspect equipment, detect problems, and keep workers out of hazardous situations.
However, ConocoPhillips is evaluating the potential of autonomous drones, saying they can unlock safer, faster, and more scalable operations - capabilities that are valuable for industrial sites like Teesside, where inspection and monitoring are crucial.
The trial demonstrated that the drone could reliably capture high-resolution data, delivering clear, actionable imagery of tank roofs, bases, and associated equipment.
Storage and Terminal Project Coordinator Glen Ransom, who is helping to lead the project, described the trial as a significant first step towards fully autonomous drone operations at Teesside.
"As we continue to develop the scope, we see opportunities for drones to support multiple departments - inspection, security, and operations - making this a truly cross-functional innovation."
- Storage and Terminal Project Coordinator Glen Ransom
Cutting inspection times with drone-in-a-box
One of the most significant outcomes was validating how automated drone-in-a-box operations can reduce inspection times.
During the trial, the drones were scheduled to fly twice a day along a predefined route over the tank farm.
Each mission lasted 16 minutes and captured approximately 250 optical and thermal images.
The data was automatically uploaded to cloud storage for analysis and review.
These images were used to verify the condition of tank roofs, above-ground pipeline work, and critical equipment.
Performing the same inspection by vehicle and on foot would take approximately eight hours.
"This innovation marks a step toward safer and more efficient operations at Teeside."
- Innovation and technology manager, Erik Fiskaa
The value of thermal drone data for oil and gas
The drone captured this thermal image of a crude oil storage tank at Greatham Tank Farm during the trial.
Thermal imaging reveals heat variances that offer deeper insight for safety and asset-integrity monitoring.
Tested during the harshest weather months
The project team conducted the trial during the most challenging weather periods of the year to confirm the Dock could operate reliably in challenging conditions.
The drone proved dependable, completing 61% of its scheduled inspection flights. All test flights were completed without incident, which ConocoPhillips says provides strong supporting evidence for future trials.
Operating safely in a complex airspace environment
While all missions were automated, the heliguy™ pilot was present as a safety standby, ready to take control if the drone deviated from its automated route.
Because the tank farm is near a nuclear power plant, the Teesside team had to secure special permits to allow drone flights in a no-fly zone.
The project provided valuable experience in demonstrating compliance with Civil Aviation Authority requirements, helping lay the groundwork for future applications involving fully-automated, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
What does the future hold?
Looking ahead, the Teesside project team will continue to evaluate autonomous drone deployment, leveraging insights gained from the 90-day field trial at Greatham Tank Farm.
How heliguy™ can help you integrate DJI Dock solutions
heliguy™ was proud to support the ConocoPhillips trial.
Ruairi Hardman, Business Development Manager at heliguy™, said: "Projects like this demonstrate that drone-in-a-box technology is moving beyond proof-of-concept and into real-world operations.
"The significance isn't just the reduction in inspection times, but the ability to gather consistent, repeatable data while reducing personnel exposure to potentially hazardous environments."
heliguy™ has invested in its internal DJI Dock infrastructure to help organisations start and scale drone-in-a-box technology.
This includes a team of solutions engineers, accredited technicians, and regulatory specialists.
