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Drones in the Energy Sector: Soaring into the Future?

A conversation with:
Robert Pappas
Special Rules Coordinator, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration
Federal Aviation Administration

John O’Brien 
Facilities Operations and Reliability Focus Area Manager
Chevron Corporation

Dexter Lewis 
Senior Research Engineer 
Southern Company

Moderated by:
Cynthia Quarterman 
Senior Fellow, Global Energy Center
Atlantic Council

Introduced by: 
Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar
Founding Director and Chairman, Global Energy Center, 
Atlantic Council

What are the practices, risks, and benefits of drone use in the energy industry?  Will regulations currently under development for drone use impede or facilitate this emerging role for drones?  The potential is huge: according to one study, drone technology in the energy industry can generate $82 billion and 100,000 new jobs for the US economy. This technology, while still in its infancy, is already being used to monitor pipelines, electricity lines, solar panels, and wind turbines, as well as to respond to energy-related incidents.  Meanwhile, international and domestic regulators are beginning to set rules on drone use and harmonize standards across national borders. The federal government, electric utility industry, oil and gas industry, and drone industry all play a role in this process. Join the Global Energy Center for a conversation with key stakeholders to explore the intersection of national security, safety, and privacy issues with energy-related drone use, and the role of regulatory frameworks to help realize the economic and environmental potential of drones.