Flylogix, a specialist in low-emission unmanned aerial technology, successfully completed a civilian flight from the UK to Norway to assess methane emissions from the Statfjord B oil platform. This operation, conducted on July 11, 2026, represents the first civilian drone flight of this scale from the UK.
Flight Details and Objectives
The flight was conducted using a Flylogix unmanned aircraft and included a 4 hour and 50 minute journey covering 290 nautical miles from a base in the UK to Norwegian waters and back. This operation aimed to assess methane emissions from the Statfjord B oil platform, which was installed in 1982 and has been producing since that year. Flylogix is looking to test its low-emission monitoring models in multi-domain energy fields.
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Technological Implications and International Collaborations
This flight is considered a significant achievement in integrating unmanned aerial technology in the North Sea. Sindre T Johnsen from Polaris ACC emphasized the importance of this operation, viewing it as a sign of close collaboration between aviation authorities and Equinor's operational teams. This collaboration has helped provide a safe framework for integrating manned and unmanned aerial operations.
Charles Tavner, CEO of Flylogix, stated that this flight represents the realization of the company's ambition to conduct civilian and cross-border operations safely. He also highlighted Norway's importance in Flylogix's growth strategy and emphasized the company's commitment to expanding its operations in other energy sectors.
The Flylogix operation was conducted in close collaboration with aviation authorities in the UK and Norway to ensure that the flight complied with the regulatory requirements of both jurisdictions. The Statfjord B platform is one of the oldest production fields on Norway's continental shelf and is considered the largest oil discovery in the North Sea.
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