Companies like DroneDeploy are using this technology to map millions of acres of land across many countries so that it would become easier for gas utilities to explore resources. All a drone owner has to do is to use their charts and predetermined routes to set his drone on an exploring journey or perhaps map a new territory with unprecedented accuracy.
As drones become autonomous, it will become easier for gas utilities to schedule regular inspections. The drones would take off and do the necessary inspections themselves without requiring anyone to monitor them.