Chevron Pipe Line Company and American Aerospace Technologies to Fly Unmanned Aircraft in San Joaquin Valley

Rhea-AI Summary

Chevron Pipe Line Company and American Aerospace Technologies received a waiver from the FAA to conduct unmanned aircraft surveillance in the San Joaquin Valley. The AiRanger UAS, designed by AATI, supports aerial surveillance for Chevron's pipeline facilities. The DAA system capabilities were demonstrated in California, leading to the issuance of a waiver. The AiRanger UAS is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of long-range operations beyond visual line of sight, marking a milestone in unmanned aviation.

Positive

• The collaboration between CPL and AATI to develop an aerial patrol solution with advanced technology for safe and cost-effective facility inspections is commendable.

• The approval for commercial operations of the AiRanger UAS in the U.S. for the first time is a significant achievement, enabling transformative pipeline surveillance.

• The intelligent sensors and real-time communications of the AiRanger deliver actionable data at an unprecedented scale, enhancing safety in operations across the country.

• The partnership with regulatory agencies to ensure safe operations for emerging technology highlights Chevron's commitment to exploring and implementing innovative solutions in the energy sector.

Negative

• Despite the technological advancements and regulatory approvals, there may be challenges in the implementation of the AiRanger UAS for routine surveillance and inspections due to operational complexities or unforeseen issues.

• The reliance on autonomous aerospace technology and unmanned aircraft systems introduces potential risks related to cybersecurity, data privacy, or system malfunctions that could impact operations and regulatory compliance.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Chevron Pipe Line Company (CPL), a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, and American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (AATI) received a first-of-its-kind waiver from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct unmanned aircraft surveillance in the San Joaquin Valley. The AiRanger Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was designed by AATI, a leader in intelligent airborne sensing and surveillance services for energy and other critical infrastructure, to support Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) aerial surveillance for Chevron’s pipeline and production facilities.

The AiRanger has been cleared for use in pipeline surveillance. (Photo Courtesy: Chevron/AATI)

The Detect and Avoid (DAA) system’s capabilities were demonstrated during flight operations in Buttonwillow, California, in October 2023. Following the demonstration and FAA observed testing, the Agency issued a 91.113 Waiver and granted a 44807 Exemption (“Waiver and Exemption”). The Waiver and Exemption authorizes AATI to utilize the onboard detect and avoid system to comply with aircraft right of way rules when operating BVLOS. The AiRanger is the first UAS to demonstrate compliance with industry consensus standards for the DAA system and reach this milestone.

“CPL and AATI have been on a journey since 2019 to develop an aerial patrol solution with technology that advances safe, reliable, and cost-effective routine facility inspections and pipeline system surveillance,” said Stephanie Beveridge, president of CPL. “Through collaboration with the FAA, we are working to do just that in the San Joaquin Valley.”

The AiRanger UAS is a fixed-wing, unmanned aircraft system capable of long-range operations beyond visual line of sight. The aircraft weighs 220 pounds with a wingspan of about 18 feet and can fly over 700 miles and up to 17 hours at up to 17,000 feet.

“For the first time, an unmanned aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds that flies above 400 feet and beyond visual line of sight has been approved for commercial operations in the U.S. This initial Waiver and Exemption spans over 4,000 square miles at up to 8,000 feet MSL, opening a new era in unmanned aviation in the National Airspace System,” said David Yoel, CEO of American Aerospace Technology, Inc. “The AiRanger is a new type of platform due to its large scale and the range of operations it enables. Its intelligent sensors and real-time communications deliver actionable data at a scale that was previously unimaginable. With safety as our guiding principle, we look forward to expanding AiRanger operations across the country.”

“CPL operates approximately 3,000 miles of regulated pipelines nationwide. The AiRanger UAS beyond visual line of sight operations will help transform routine oil and gas pipeline surveillance and inspections required by the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) using automated intelligence solutions,” said Roy Martinez, project manager for the UAS initiative and digital advisor for operations in CPL. “CPL’s coordinated efforts with the FAA and AATI to deploy this program is just one example of how Chevron continues to work with federal agencies to explore and implement emerging technologies to further Chevron’s purpose of developing the affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress.”

CPL and AATI have been supported by End State Solutions, LLC, to build collaborative solutions with key regulatory agencies that enable safe operations for emerging technology and new uses for autonomous aerospace technology.

Pictures and Video for Media Use:

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Newsroom — Chevron

About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable, and ever-cleaner energy is essential to enabling human progress. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We aim to grow our oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of our operations and grow lower carbon businesses in renewable fuels, carbon capture and offsets, hydrogen and other emerging technologies. More information about Chevron is available at www.Chevron.com

About American Aerospace Technologies, Inc.
Founded in 2002, AATI is a leader in intelligent airborne sensing and surveillance services for energy and other critical infrastructure. We deliver services with conventional aircraft, drones, and medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft. AATI has been flying long-endurance UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) in the national airspace system since 2010.

About End State Solutions, LLC
End State Solutions LLC is focused on civil certification and approvals with deep expertise in aerospace certification and operations. The End State Solutions team has contributed to multiple industry achievements in autonomous aerospace and emerging aviation technology. As the pace of innovation in autonomy picks up, we continue to move the needle in meaningful ways for industry and regulators around the globe.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240506981490/en/

For media inquiries contact:

Christine Dobbyn

External Affairs Advisor

Chevron

christinedobbyn@chevron.com

Asia Mills

Marketing Coordinator

American Aerospace Technologies, Inc

a.mills@americanaerospace.com

Source: Chevron Corporation

FAQ

What is the purpose of the AiRanger UAS developed by American Aerospace Technologies and Chevron Pipe Line Company?

The AiRanger UAS was designed to support aerial surveillance for Chevron's pipeline and production facilities in the San Joaquin Valley.

What milestone did the AiRanger UAS achieve in terms of industry consensus standards?

The AiRanger UAS became the first unmanned aircraft system to demonstrate compliance with industry consensus standards for the DAA system.

What is the weight and range capability of the AiRanger UAS?

The AiRanger UAS weighs 220 pounds, has a wingspan of approximately 18 feet, can fly over 700 miles, and operate up to 17 hours at up to 17,000 feet.

Who is the CEO of American Aerospace Technologies, Inc.?

The CEO of American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. is David Yoel.

How many miles of pipelines does Chevron Pipe Line Company operate nationwide?

Chevron Pipe Line Company operates approximately 3,000 miles of regulated pipelines nationwide.