TOKYO, April 2 (Reuters) – Japanese drone startup Terra Drone (278A.T), which specializes in surveying and inspecting energy infrastructure, is strengthening its partnership with Saudi Aramco to conduct inspections of the oil and gas giant’s facilities, the company told Reuters. Terra Drone has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aramco, under which it will begin test runs for facility inspections in Saudi Arabia later this year and into next year. Full-scale operations are expected to commence in 2027. If awarded the final contract, it would mark Terra Drone’s largest project for oil and gas facility inspections.

"We are targeting sales in the billions of yen over the medium to long term, within three to five years," said Terra Drone CEO and founder Toru Tokushige. The company established a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia in 2023 after securing a $14 million investment from Wa’ed Ventures, Aramco’s venture capital division. While Terra Drone has previously conducted surveys and inspections in the Middle East, this would be its first project with Aramco. Currently, Aramco relies on scaffolding setups that take two to three weeks for employees to visually inspect storage tanks and other infrastructure.

Beyond energy infrastructure inspections, Terra Drone is also involved in developing unmanned aircraft traffic management systems and providing drones for agricultural applications, such as spraying fertilizer and pesticides. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market 250 Index in November 2024, the company has yet to achieve profitability.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.