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Advancements such as LiDAR and drone‑based data collection are shaping the next chapter of surveying and geospatial data collection. These tools enhance accuracy, improve safety and accelerate project delivery, giving surveyors new ways to gather meaningful spatial data while reducing risk in the field. 

Ty Atmaca will present “Drone-Based Geophysics and Methan Detection for Orphan Well Identification” at the in Houston, Texas, June 24-25. He will highlight how advanced drone magnetometer surveys, methane detection technologies and Blue UAS-approved platforms are helping locate undocumented orphan wells faster, safer and more cost effectively.

A New Era of Surveying

Historically, surveying required crews to physically access project sites and manually collect data points — often over extended periods of time. Today, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) enables surveyors to capture millions of data points in a single scan, producing highly detailed 3D models of real‑world environments with remarkable efficiency. 

While the tools have changed, the mission remains the same: delivering reliable, precise and actionable spatial information. Modern survey technologies simply make that mission easier to achieve — and often in ways that are safer and more efficient for field teams.

• Safer: Reduces the need for personnel to enter hazardous or hard‑to‑reach areas such as levees, bridge structures, unstable terrain or industrial sites.
• Faster: Enables data collection in days instead of weeks or months.
• Smarter: Produces richer datasets that support better planning, engineering and environmental decision‑making.

Cagatay “Ty” Atmaca

Where These Technologies Deliver the Most Value

At Ұ����Ƶapp, drone‑based surveying and LiDAR are particularly effective for environmental, energy and infrastructure‑related investigations.

One key application is orphan well locating, where drone‑mounted magnetometers are used to detect buried well casings and undocumented infrastructure that may pose environmental or public safety risks. Drones are also used for methane detection, enabling rapid scanning of large areas — a critical capability for landfill monitoring and emissions management.

LiDAR supports a wide range of additional applications, including transportation corridors, coastal protection, site development, agricultural lands and landfills. The technology is especially valuable for drainage analysis, where subtle elevation changes captured through digital terrain models (DTMs) can help teams identify potential challenges early in the project lifecycle. 

Real‑World Impact

The benefits of integrating LiDAR and drone‑based geophysics are especially clear on complex or remote projects.

In one recent effort, Ұ����Ƶapp supported an orphan well locating and methane detection project in a mountainous region where a well was not visible at the surface. Drone‑based magnetometer data revealed a clear anomaly consistent with a buried well casing, allowing the client to pinpoint its location with confidence. In another instance, the combined use of aerial and ground‑based geophysical methods helped identify a fully buried well that was actively leaking gas — information that would have been difficult to uncover using traditional approaches alone.

On the LiDAR side, Ұ����Ƶapp supported development planning on an 850‑acre site for a large data center project. Terrain data that would have taken months to collect using conventional GPS methods was captured in just days, providing a detailed surface model that clearly represented drainage features and complex topography across the property.

Navigating Challenges and Regulations

Drone‑based projects often require extensive coordination, particularly in regulated or sensitive airspace. Depending on location, operations may involve approvals from airports, military authorities, local governments or landowners. Ұ����Ƶapp’ experience navigating these requirements allows teams to plan and execute drone operations safely, efficiently and in compliance — even in highly controlled environments. 

Looking Ahead

From landfill investigations and geohazard studies to emerging applications such as lava tube detection, LiDAR and drone‑based technologies continue to expand what is possible in surveying and geophysics. By integrating advanced sensors with proven methodologies, Ұ����Ƶapp helps clients gain deeper insight into both surface and subsurface conditions — supporting smarter decisions, improved safety and more resilient outcomes.