Oil Giants Partner with Flylogix to Tackle Methane Emissions Using Drones Over UK Skies

UK-based drone company Flylogix has landed major new contracts with oil and gas heavyweights, including Shell, Ithaca Energy, and Equinor. The goal? To tackle methane emissions from offshore platforms in the North Sea.

These agreements mark a big win for the drone firm. In total, the contracts will cover methane monitoring at 16 oil and gas platforms, as well as several onshore terminals across the UK. Together, the deals are said to be worth seven figures and include a multi-year commitment from Shell, covering both offshore and onshore infrastructure linked to its North Sea operations. Ithaca Energy’s Cygnus field, one of the country’s most productive gas assets, is also part of the scope. So, how does it all work?

Flylogix doesn’t use your typical drones. They operate long-range mini aircraft out of bases in Aberdeenshire and Fareham. These aren’t toys, they’re equipped with advanced tech designed to detect and analyse methane emissions with precision. The company is also exploring plans to establish a permanent drone base in Scotland to support these operations.

“These awards are testament to the industry’s commitment to tackle offshore emissions on the path to net zero while meeting the UK’s vital energy needs,” said Flylogix CEO Charles Tavner.

“Flylogix’s solution allows operators to receive timely data without the cost, emissions, or safety implications of sending crews offshore. The strength of support for this innovative technology is putting Flylogix on a steady flight path to profitability and our growth ambitions.”

The data captured by Flylogix’s drones is expected to play a vital role in helping the UK oil and gas sector reduce emissions. With methane being a particularly potent greenhouse gas, reducing its emissions is key. The UK aims to eliminate routine flaring and venting by 2030, with a target of halving total methane emissions in the sector by then. There’s also a broader shift underway.

A new airspace trial, set to begin this summer, could change how drones operate in the region. The project aims to give long-range drones more freedom to move within North Sea airspace, making real-time monitoring more scalable and responsive. Flylogix calls the initiative groundbreaking and says it could help remove red tape and streamline flight approvals. It’s not just the tech that’s evolving; ownership dynamics in the field are shifting too.

“The potential for this technology will only grow as we gear up for the CAA trial this summer, allowing our drones to fly more frequently to support oil and gas, defence, and renewables. The North Sea has always been a hub of innovation – now it is the future of flight,” highlighted Tavner.

Ithaca Energy recently took steps to increase its stake in the Cygnus gas field by 46.25 per cent. Once it receives final approval from the North Sea Transition Authority, Ithaca will hold an 85 per cent ownership share in Cygnus. The remaining stake belongs to Spirit Energy.

Cygnus itself sits in the Southern North Sea across three offshore blocks. Water depths in the area range between 15 and 25 meters. The field encompasses two leading platforms: Cygnus Alpha, comprising three interconnected platforms, and Cygnus Bravo, an unmanned satellite installation. Cygnus Alpha began producing gas in 2016, while Bravo came online a year later.

The gas extracted from Cygnus travels via the Esmond Transmission System pipeline to the Perenco-operated terminal in Bacton, playing a key role in the UK’s domestic energy supply.