OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2016. The American Petroleum Institute applauded the Senate passage of Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization and, in particular, a provision in the legislation that would allow unmanned aircraft system utilization for oil and gas facilities, refineries, and pipeline inspection and response activities.

“Protecting the public and the environment is our industry’s top priority,” said API Midstream Director Robin Rorick. “Our number one goal is zero incidents, and we are always looking for new tools to achieve that goal. The use of unmanned aerial system technologies will give us another means to safely conduct preventative inspections and response activities.”

API thanked Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) for his leadership on this UAS provision that will allow industry to enhance safety and urged the House and the administration to follow the Senate’s lead and make drone safety technology a reality in the oil and natural gas industry.  

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.