An unprecedented collaboration between technology companies Cyberhawk and Explicit ApS has initiated a maritime campaign to measure methane emissions with maritime drones on Equinor’s platforms, in the Norwegian North Sea.
Environmental Monitoring with Marine Drones
From April 2025 until September, eight teams are surveying 33 production facilities to record emissions using specialized sensors mounted on drones. The work is carried out within the framework of the UN Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the OGMP 2.0 program.
The operation uses the DFM (Drone Flux Measurement) technique, developed by Explicit and recognized under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This technology allows precise quantification of fugitive methane emissions, a key gas in the climate fight. The mission, considered the largest of its kind, involves simultaneous tasks in multiple marine locations.
A Single Provider Model
Unlike other collaborative models, Explicit granted Cyberhawk complete field management. The ability for rapid mobilization and technical know-how in marine environments were key to this choice. This approach allows for risk reduction and ensures the quality and consistency of the generated data.
Cyberhawk executes the work supported by certified quality, environment, and safety systems (ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001). The collected data is processed by Explicit’s laboratory, accredited and specialized in drone emissions analysis.
Cyberhawk’s Oil, Gas, and Marine team internally leads the effort. Engineers, UAV pilots, and specialists from both companies coordinate daily technical and logistical tasks. The support from Equinor, which seeks to mitigate its methane footprint with new technologies, reinforces the global relevance of the project.
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Source and photo: Cyberhawk
