Speaker’s name: David Lamont

Organization: Square Robot

Job title: Chief Executive Officer

Biography:

David Lamont is the Chief Executive Officer at Square Robot, with over 40 years of global experience in energy technology and industrial services. He began his career as a mechanical engineer with Schlumberger, holding technical and leadership roles across Europe, Asia, and Australia. He later served as President of Global Subsea Systems at Vetco International and led several offshore service companies as CEO, including Proserv and ROVOP. Since joining Square Robot in 2020, David has focused on advancing the role of robotic inspection in delivering safer, data-driven asset strategies.

Presentation title: Transforming Asset Integrity Through In-Service Robotics: A Strategic Vision for Safer, Smarter Inspections

Presentation abstract/summary: 

For asset-intensive organizations, aboveground storage tank (AST) inspection is no longer just a compliance checkbox—it is becoming a strategic enabler for extending asset life, improving safety, and meeting ESG objectives. Yet, despite the availability of in-service robotic inspection, many operators still rely on traditional, high-risk approaches that require shutdowns, manned entry, and costly downtime.

This session explores how fully autonomous, submersible robots—capable of inspecting tanks without entry, degassing, or dewatering—are transforming the economics and safety profile of tank inspections. Drawing on anonymised field examples, the presentation will highlight how these technologies eliminate confined space hazards, reduce operational disruption to zero days out-of-service, contain CO₂ emissions, and deliver significant opportunity cost savings.

Attendees will also learn how inspection data collected in-service can go beyond compliance reporting to deliver actionable intelligence for risk-based maintenance planning, predictive modeling, and integration with asset management platforms. From corrosion mapping to RBI workflows, robotics provide a consistent, repeatable data foundation that supports proactive, long-term integrity strategies.

The discussion will close by looking ahead to an industry where the goal of inspection is not just to find problems—but to prevent them. With EEMUA and its members leading on standardisation and shared benchmarks, the sector can unlock the full potential of robotics for safer, smarter, and more sustainable operations.

Key Learning Objectives

  • Examine how in-service robotic inspection methods can eliminate operational disruption while meeting integrity and regulatory requirements.
  • Understand how inspection data supports predictive maintenance planning, asset life extension, and optimized resource allocation.
  • Review a case study quantifying safety, cost, and emissions benefits from eliminating manned tank entry.
  • Explore opportunities for industry collaboration to establish standards and benchmarks for robotic inspection performance.