Why This Market Is Strategic

Monitoring a gas network involves more than just “flying over” it. It is a preventive measure designed to detect early warning signs: third-party activities in the vicinity, changes in the terrain, sensitive crossings, or situations that could compromise the integrity of the infrastructure.

Aerial surveillance provides rapid coverage and a comprehensive view: in the event of severe weather, construction work, or a field alert, a dedicated team can adjust the monitoring plan, document the situation, and report relevant information with a high level of traceability.

TEREGA: A Key Player in Gas Transportation and Storage in the Southwest

TEREGA operates a network of more than 5,000 km of pipelines in southwestern France and also relies on two long-standing underground storage facilities (Lussagnet and Izaute). Its network spans numerous departments and areas surrounding major regional hubs (Pau, Bordeaux, Toulouse, etc.).

For an infrastructure of this scale, the challenge is clear: to maintain a high level of security while ensuring service continuity and quality in a constantly evolving environment.

Our mission: to monitor, inspect, and alert

As part of the TEREGA contract, Air Touraine is implementing a “ground-focused” aerial approach with a simple goal: to see faster, document better, and communicate more clearly.

The Benefits of Well-Designed Aerial Surveillance

• Identify areas of concern along the right-of-way and its surroundings (changes, anomalies, risks).
• Prioritize the areas that require further verification.
• Produce structured, actionable, and traceable reports.
• Respond quickly in the event of an unforeseen situation (event, incident, weather, construction-related circumstances).

This “monitor and decide” approach is at the heart of modern inspection missions. It is fully integrated into our activities (monitoring, inspection, mapping, and specialized services).

The Air Touraine × SkyBirdsView Partnership

For this market, Air Touraine relies on a partnership with SkyBirdsView, a company specializing in drone solution architecture and data acquisition for industry. This complementary expertise makes it possible to develop, depending on operational needs, systems that combine manned aerial operations (coverage, speed).

Method: Safety, Quality, Traceability

1) Risk Assessment and Analysis

Every mission begins with a mission briefing: objectives, areas, constraints, weather, and specific considerations. Safety is structured around procedures and a systematic operational briefing.

2) Execution and Collection of Information

During flight, the challenge is to collect the right amount of information (neither too much nor too little): observation, documentation, and geolocation when necessary, in order to facilitate operations.

3) Reporting and Analysis

Deliverables must be clear, actionable, and comparable over time: this is key to tracking a sector’s evolution, setting priorities, and taking appropriate action.

Operational Benefits for the Region

• Prevention: Detect problems earlier, minimize risks.
• Responsiveness: the ability to mobilize quickly in accordance with on-the-ground priorities.
• Traceability: structured information that is useful to teams and for management.
• Coverage: a broad overview of large areas in a short amount of time.

For Air Touraine, this contract also marks a milestone: a foothold in the Southwest and a commitment to providing long-term support to major infrastructure players through high-value-added aviation services.

FAQ

What exactly is TEREGA?

TEREGA is a natural gas transmission and storage operator with deep historical roots in southwestern France, featuring a network of more than 5,000 km and two underground storage facilities.

What is the difference between monitoring and inspection?

Monitoring aims to identify warning signs and set priorities.An inspection goes a step further: it documents a specific issue in greater detail (often using additional resources).

Why is aerial transmission relevant in a natural gas network?

Because it combines speed, coverage, and the ability to issue alerts, it is an effective tool for supporting prevention and decision-making in the field.