Shell to deploy drones on Gulf of Mexico oil platforms

Shell has received federal approval to deploy drones on offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico to accelerate damage inspections and production restarts following hurricanes. The company aims to use the technology to transmit real-time footage to shore, allowing for the identification of equipment problems without waiting for traditional helicopter-based inspections.

The first drone is expected to be installed at the Mars project, a deep-water development located approximately 130 miles south of New Orleans, before the end of 2026. Shell estimates that this technology could save nearly $50 million over three years by enabling production to resume as much as one day earlier after major storms. The company plans to expand its fleet with at least five additional drones in 2027.