Global: Cyberhawk has secured a renewed five-year, multi-million-dollar contract with Shell, extending their decade-long partnership and expanding the use of its iHawk cloud platform for inspections and asset management. Cyberhawk is now the sole authorised drone operator for all Shell facilities worldwide.
Cyberhawk, a specialist in drone-based inspection and visual data management software, has secured a significant five-year, multi-million-dollar contract renewal with Royal Dutch Shell PLC, extending their global partnership that began over a decade ago. This renewed agreement not only affirms the ongoing collaboration but also broadens the use of Cyberhawk’s cloud-based platform, iHawk, across Shell’s extensive portfolio of assets and capital projects worldwide.
Initially deployed in 2016 to enhance oversight and transparency for a landmark $10 billion capital project, the iHawk platform has since evolved into a central tool for digital transformation within Shell. It supports a wide array of projects, ranging from large engineering and construction developments to retail infrastructure, and is now used by a user base exceeding 6,000. The platform enables Shell to manage projects digitally at any scale and from any location, facilitating both efficient project execution and comprehensive future asset performance assessments.
iHawk stands out as a next-generation visualization software platform for Shell’s onshore, offshore, and subsea assets, as well as all global construction projects. Its design as a cloud-based asset visualization software allows for seamless integration of various digital and visual data sources. Moreover, it is fully enabled with an Internet of Things (IoT) solution, incorporating third-party sensors and application programming interfaces (APIs) specifically developed for Shell. This integration fosters a highly customised, agile environment for data management.
The renewal follows the successful adoption of iHawk at multiple sites worldwide, including a large-scale construction project valued at over $6 billion in the USA, where the platform is utilised by more than 800 monthly users. The technology has also been extended to Shell’s sites in the UK, Central America, and Africa, showcasing its scalability and adaptability across geographically diverse operations.
In addition to the software contract renewal, Cyberhawk has received global aviation authorisation from Shell, permitting drone-based inspections and surveys across all Shell facilities. This authorisation marks Cyberhawk as the first—and only—drone operator approved to operate on all Shell sites worldwide. The completion of Shell’s first-class drone audit earlier this year highlights the supermajor’s commitment to innovation and safety in integrating unmanned aviation technology into its operations.
Patrick Saracco, Senior Vice President of Sales for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Cyberhawk, commented on the partnership’s evolution, noting that Shell recognised early the agility and customisation potential of Cyberhawk and iHawk. He emphasised how what started as a single capital project has blossomed into a long-term global collaboration, with joint efforts ongoing to tailor iHawk’s development to Shell’s evolving needs. According to Saracco, this collaborative innovation has raised the bar for what is possible in the sector.
Cyberhawk’s role in Shell’s digital transformation strategy reflects a broader industry trend towards integrating advanced drone inspection technologies and cloud-based data management platforms. By consolidating digital and visual data into a single, accessible system, Shell aims to enhance operational efficiencies, reduce risks, and improve decision-making across all asset classes. This renewed multi-million-dollar contract reinforces Cyberhawk’s position as a key partner in driving technological innovation within one of the world’s largest energy corporations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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