How BlackHawk Helped DrillDocs Run Computer Vision Reliably Across Global Offshore Operations
Most AI failures in oil and gas begin at the point of image capture, long before the algorithm ever runs.
When DrillDocs, a leader in digital shale shaker surveillance technology, expanded deployment of its CleanSight® computer vision platform across offshore drilling operations, success depended on solving a challenge many organizations overlook: reliable image capture in some of the harshest environments on earth.
BlackHawk partnered with DrillDocs to solve this challenge by implementing engineered deployment strategies, custom hardware solutions, and standardized installation practices, thereby improving image quality and reliability at the source. The result is a repeatable model for industrial AI deployment in oil and gas and other demanding environments.
The Challenge
DrillDocs’ CleanSight® platform uses advanced cameras, onboard processing, and proprietary image analysis algorithms to monitor and analyze solids exiting shale shakers in real time.
The technology provides valuable operational insights that help drilling teams:
- Improve drilling performance
- Enhance borehole stability
- Identify potential risks earlier, reducing the likelihood of costly drilling events
While the software and analytics capabilities are proven, deploying in offshore environments introduced a new set of challenges for camera performance, particularly in areas like shale shaker rooms:
- Reduced image stability caused by constant vibration
- Inconsistent visibility due to changing lighting conditions
- Increased deployment complexity in harsh offshore environments
- Variability in performance caused by installation differences between assets
For DrillDocs, consistent image quality was essential to maintaining reliable system performance across every deployment. The challenge was ensuring that cameras installed across multiple offshore assets and geographic regions could capture stable, repeatable visual data despite vibration, lighting variability, and harsh environmental conditions.
The Solution
To address these challenges, BlackHawk focused on the physical deployment environment surrounding the CleanSight® platform.
The objective was a standardized installation framework that could deliver consistent image quality regardless of asset location or operating conditions, the foundation of dependable industrial AI deployment.
Camera Mounting for High-Vibration Industrial Environments
BlackHawk engineered custom camera-mounting brackets specifically for high-vibration environments. These mounting systems featured:
- Isolation from vibration sources
- Reinforced attachment to stable rig structures
- Adjustable positioning for optimal camera alignment
- Materials suitable for offshore and hazardous locations
The result was significantly more stable image capture and reduced motion blur, creating a stronger foundation for AI analysis.
Engineered Lighting Deployment
Rather than redesigning lighting systems, BlackHawk focused on improving the physical deployment of lighting around the monitoring area. This included:
- Custom mounting solutions for supplemental lighting
- Strategic positioning to reduce shadows and glare
- Ruggedized configurations built for offshore environments
The result was more consistent illumination and improved image visibility without increasing system complexity.
Global Field Deployment and Remote Monitoring
One of the project’s biggest requirements was maintaining consistency across multiple international deployments, so that remote, field-deployed video monitoring performed consistently on every asset. BlackHawk provided:
- Offshore certified field technicians
- On-site installation and commissioning
- Camera alignment and optimization
- Coordination with rig personnel and operations teams
Deployments were successfully executed across offshore operations in Guyana, Angola, and Norway.
Standardized Installation Framework
To support long-term scalability, BlackHawk helped establish standardized deployment procedures, including:
- Camera positioning standards
- Mounting specifications
- Installation tolerances
- Commissioning processes
- Documentation requirements
This created a repeatable deployment model that could be applied consistently across future installations.
Results
BlackHawk helped establish a repeatable deployment model that supports reliable computer vision performance across a wide range of industrial environments.
The deployment framework enabled:
- Consistent image capture in high-vibration environments
- Improved visibility through optimized lighting deployment
- Standardized installation practices across assets and regions
- Repeatable deployment processes that support future expansion
- Greater confidence in the visual data used for AI-driven analysis
Today, this deployment model has been implemented across operations in the U.S. Gulf of America, New Brunswick, Canada, Guyana, the North Sea offshore Norway, and the Permian Basin, with additional deployments planned in Angola.
Planning an Industrial AI Deployment?
BlackHawk helps organizations design, deploy, and support field-ready solutions built for demanding industrial environments across Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, LNG Facilities, Industrial Processing, Water and Wastewater, and Critical Infrastructure.
Contact our team to discuss your application and see how BlackHawk turns AI investments into measurable operational results.