As one can imagine, partial inspection coverage introduces new challenges in data interpretation and risk evaluation. That is where EEMUA Publication 247 (2025 Edition): Statistical Analysis of In-Service Tank Floor Inspections comes in. The recently published EEMUA standard offers a comprehensive statistical framework for planning and evaluating partial-coverage robotic tank floor inspections. This was a significant and timely development for the robotic storage tank inspection industry.

At AIS Field, we provide oil tank inspections using our ATEX Zone 0 certified robotic system, RUVI OilDiver. Leveraging our experience and expertise, and building on the EEMUA 247 standard, we have developed a proprietary software tool that automates both the planning and statistical evaluation processes described in the publication. Additionally, following partial coverage inspections, evaluating the remaining life of the tank requires Extreme Value Analysis (EVA), as outlined in the API 575 standard. We have also developed a tool that automatically performs EVA following our tank inspections. In this article, we will introduce the key features of our software and the value it brings to tank operators, inspection providers and integrity engineers.

Understanding EEMUA 247

As mentioned, due to the nature of online robotic inspections, 100% of floor coverage is not always possible. EEMUA 247 provides detailed guidance on the optimum coverage and statistical analysis of in-service tank floor inspections using robotic tools. It categorizes inspections into three main types based on the presence and detectability of corrosion.

• Type A: Where no significant wall loss is expected.
• Type B: Where measurable wall loss is anticipated and statistical extrapolation is required.
• Type C: Where wall loss may be severe but isolated (requiring tailored justification).

The standard emphasizes the importance of:

• Corrosion risk assessment (CRA)
• Determination of corrosion density and spatial homogeneity
• Minimum inspection coverage calculations based on detection threshold and corrosion depth
• Use of Extreme Value Analysis (EVA), particularly Gumbel or Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distributions, to predict the probability of critical wall loss in uninspected areas.

About Our EEMUA 247-Based Software Tool

Our RUVI OilDiver Analytics Software Tool transforms the EEMUA 247 methodology into an intuitive, interactive platform for inspection planning and evaluation. Key capabilities include:

1. Coverage Calculation
2. Distribution Fitting and EVA Module
3. CRA Support and Density Classification
4. Automated Reporting and Visualization

You can see both our coverage calculator and EVA analysis interfaces in the screenshots above.

Why This Matters

In-service robotic inspections, by nature, cannot achieve 100% floor coverage, especially in large diameter tanks with numerous internal obstacles. Our approach, built on the EEMUA 247 and API 575 standards, enables asset owners to overcome this limitation by applying robust statistical analysis to make confident integrity decisions, even when only a portion of the floor is inspected.

In simpler terms, depending on the tank’s geometry and inspection history, we use the EEMUA 247 guidelines to calculate the minimum inspection coverage required for reliable integrity decisions. Once our robot covers that targeted portion, we perform Extreme Value Analysis (EVA) to accurately assess the tank’s remaining life and overall integrity condition. While RUVI OilDiver operates inside the tank, our inspection team also conducts a full API 653 inspection, allowing us to deliver a complete inspection package to our customers. This combined approach adds significant value to our clients’ operations.

By aligning fully with EEMUA 247, the tool ensures consistency, traceability and defensibility of the inspection strategy. Therse are critical elements in regulatory compliance and internal risk management processes.

Conclusion

Robotic inspection technology has advanced rapidly, but the real power lies in planning the inspection and interpreting the data correctly. By codifying the principles of EEMUA 247 and API 575 into our internal procedures and also a software solution, we provide tank operators and service providers with the analytical edge they need to make data-driven integrity decisions.

To learn more about our solutions, feel free to get in touch with our team.

Enhancing Integrity Management through EEMUA 247-Based Robotic Inspection Analytics yazısı ilk önce AIS Field üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

Our site operations team has been on the move, successfully mobilizing across a diverse range of facilities in Turkiye, Italy and South Korea. These deployments have demonstrated not only our technical capabilities but also our agility in adapting to different environments and client needs. Each location presented unique challenges and opportunities, and our teams meet them with dedication and professionalism.

At the same time, our engineering and innovation units have been operating at full speed. Their work behind the scenes has resulted in significant progress on several new product developments and next-generation solutions. Their creativity and technical depth continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in our industry.

Looking forward, the second half of the year promises to be even more exciting. We are actively preparing for major projects that will take us to new geographies and new partnerships, further expanding our global reach. A significant milestone has already been achieved with the successful acquisition of a new project in Spain, and we are currently in promising discussions across multiple other countries. The momentum is building.

Moreover, we are preparing some major announcements for this summer to fuel our growth. These upcoming updates will reflect not only our technical progress but also our broader vision for the future. We cannot wait to share what is next.

Stay with us as we continue to grow, innovate and deliver impactful solutions to complex industrial challenges. We are just getting started.

Busy First Half – And an even Bigger Future Ahead yazısı ilk önce AIS Field üzerinde ortaya çıktı.

Below is an English summary of the article published in Forbes Türkiye, highlighting how AIS Field’s innovation is transforming industrial tank maintenance.

“AIS Field’s RUVI OilDiver robotic system, developed for heavy industry, cuts tank maintenance costs worth millions of dollars while minimizing carbon emissions and environmental waste. A remarkable performance for a start-up…

The World Economic Forum reports that over 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from heavy industry. To reach net zero, these industries must undergo a deep transformation, especially in energy efficiency and green technology applications. One Turkish start-up taking this challenge head-on is AIS Field, with its product RUVI OilDiver. A robot that reduces the carbon footprint, chemical waste and safety risks associated with tank cleaning and maintenance.

From an economic standpoint, the scale of the problem is massive. Storage tanks must be emptied every ten years for maintenance, during which they are cleaned, inspected, repainted and repaired before being recommissioned. This process can take up to three months and costs millions in downtime and maintenance expenses. The larger the tank, the higher the loss, sometimes reaching up to 2.5 million dollars per tank.

AIS Field’s RUVI OilDiver offers a game-changing alternative: it can inspect tanks without draining them, significantly reducing both downtime and cost. With over 50.000 storage tanks worldwide, the market potential is immense.

Founded in 2022 by Görkem Bayten, Özgen Bulut, Kayhan Gündoğdu and John Duncan Stephenson, AIS Field is the first company in Turkey to develop such advanced robotic inspection technology. The company was established with TÜBİTAK’s BIGG Entrepreneurship Grant, and its RUVI OilDiver robot was developed under TÜBİTAK’s 1707 Order-Based R&D Program in partnership with TÜPRAŞ. Co-founder Kayıhan Gündoğdu explains:

“Non-destructive robotic inspection is already attracting serious investment in the US and EU. As the only company from our region competing internationally, we believe our technology gives us a strong competitive edge.”

The RUVI OilDiver system uses 32 ultrasonic probes to map corrosion across the tank floor while the robot moves continuously inside the tank. It detects defects in real-time and generates a digital corrosion map, ensuring both precision and safety. The system also employs encoders, IMUs, and 360-degree sonar for navigation. Operators control the robot remotely from a control room using AI-assisted visualization and analysis tools.

AIS Field’s partnership with TÜPRAŞ began with 13 large tank inspections and later expanded to other robotic systems. In 2024, the company launched RUVI WallKer, a magnetic crawler robot designed for boiler and heat exchanger inspections.

Today, AIS Field operates from its R&D lab and workshop in ODTÜ Teknokent’s OSTİM campus in Ankara, employing 15 engineers who continue pushing the boundaries of robotic non-destructive testing.”

AIS Field’s RUVI OilDiver Featured in Forbes Turkiye September Edition yazısı ilk önce AIS Field üzerinde ortaya çıktı.