Skip to content

Top Takeaways from the 4C HSE Conference On Emissions Reduction Technology

An interview with Jeffrey Jones, SkyX’s Vice President, Global Sales, and Business Development

When it comes to data, software, and the Oil and Gas industry, Jeffrey Jones, SkyX’s Vice President, Global Sales, and Business Development has extensive experience and expertise. Jeffrey has spent 20+ years providing technology solutions and services in the Oil and Gas industry. He began his technology career with IBM/Tivoli in 1997 and focused on global Oil and Gas software solutions. Since then, he has worked in Big Data, Cloud, Data Analytics, as well as technology development and is heavily involved with AI and Machine Learning. Jeffrey has witnessed the development of the market first-hand and the need for long-range external asset monitoring, aerial data, and systematic solutions in the Oil and Gas industry.

Jeff recently attended the 2021 4C Health, Safety, & Environmental Conference (4C HSE) in Austin, Texas, an annual conference that promotes the latest emissions reduction technologies and best management practices to drive better environmental outcomes. The 4C HSE Conference brings together some of the best minds in the industry to share their ideas and solutions and to make future progress.

SkyX Systems at the 2021 4C HSE Conference in Austin, Texas, 4C Conference

Top Takeaways from the 4C HSE Conference

We interviewed Jeff on his perspective and takeaways from the conference and gained some very interesting insights on aerial data, the Oil and Gas industry, and the future.

SKYX
What were the common themes that came up in your conversations at the 4C HSE Conference?

JEFF
I would say that one of the common themes was that there’s not a ton of data that folks have on Oil and Gas pipelines from an external standpoint and what they do have is very limited. They’ve got a lot of data from the inside, from flow sensors and pressure sensors and things of that nature. Nothing really from the outside other than a Cessna or a helicopter flying over and taking photos or at least taking a look at it. So, there’s a lot of room for improvement on the external data front.

SKYX
Was there anything that came up in the conversations that surprised you? Or any ‘aha’ ’moments?

JEFF
If there was an ‘aha’ moment for me it would be that no one else is really doing what we’re doing at SkyX, especially from a long linear perspective. There are many companies out there that are putting drones up in the air and looking at some things, pipelines, or areas, but not from a long-range standpoint.

SKYX
What were some of the feedback you received about SkyX at the conference?

JEFF
Folks were really excited to see our drone at our booth. They were even more excited when they learned what we do and how we are really about aerial data. Many people were very interested in how our technology delivers actionable data that can help Oil and Gas companies better understand the health of their assets and fulfill their environmental objectives.

SKYX
Beyond the conference, what do you think the future of pipeline monitoring looks like?

JEFF
In most of the world, the pipelines are very old. In Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, and even in some parts of the United States, the pipelines are deteriorating. This means that Oil and Gas companies need to understand the health and well-being of their pipelines right now. If they don’t, there are going to be a lot of issues with cracking, erosion, and things of that nature over the next 10 – 15 years that could have been prevented.

I believe the future holds a more comprehensive look at the pipeline system. Right now, these companies are collecting internal data and a limited amount of external data. The way I see it, they need a 3D view of their pipeline. This is why I think we’re going to see more demand for our platform to consume data from internal and external sources to really get an overall comprehensive view through one platform.

SKYX
Why do you believe more Oil and Gas companies need to adopt an aerial data solution like SkyX?

JEFF
I believe that more Oil and Gas companies need to adopt SkyX because the integrity of their pipelines is not being understood very well right now. Companies are looking at maybe 2% of their entire pipeline and they’re lacking far-reaching capabilities to capture that data in a quick and efficient manner. If they were to try to cover 11,000 kilometers of their pipeline with someone that has to be within a quarter-mile of the drone, it’s going to take them a very long time and be ad hoc. They need a simple, reliable, systematic, and long-range solution for pipeline monitoring which is what we can offer.

SKYX
Thank you Jeff for sharing your insight and takeaways from the 4C HSE Conference.

SkyX Systems at the 2021 4C HSE Conference in Austin, Texas, 4C Conference

Contact us to learn more about SkyX and how we can help improve your asset integrity program.