Artists impression of the downhole robot.

Development of a downhole robot for monitoring oil wells

CSIRO is looking for partners to assist in the further development of a downhole robot - an autonomous device that measures variables within production wells.

• 30 September 2010 | Updated 1 December 2011

• Downhole robot and subsea wireless networks
• Business opportunity

CSIRO's Flow Assurance research program is working on the design of subsea and downhole wireless monitoring systems that measure key variables in petroleum wells and communicate with the surface.

This technology does not require umbilical cables for power and data transmission and will allow for semi-continuous monitoring of the well condition down hole.

The untethered downhole robot could avoid the need for fixed sensing infrastructure and introduces new technology that is currently not available in any form within the industry.

Downhole robot and subsea wireless networks

The autonomous robot (pictured in the video below) is capable of moving in downhole locations to make measurements and transmit or download this data to a docking station.

Measurements are taken at previously determined positions and times including:

• pressure
• temperature
• flow rates.

Benefits include:

• an ability to obtain real-time information for the purpose of increasing productivity, with an average expectation of a 1 per cent to 5 per cent increase
• a more reliable and cost-effective method to collect down-hole information, compared with cables.

The internal components of the downhole robot.

Development stages

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the project has been completed and involved the construction of a concept prototype. This feasibility phase demonstrated that the autonomous robot was capable of travel and data logging inside a mock-up of a producing well.

It is able to move forwards and backwards in both horizontal and vertical pipes with flowing oil.

The robot does not impede oil production and features:

• radio frequency communication to the outside world at the well head
• autonomous operation within the well
• data logging: currently temperature, pressure, and flow
• energy harvesting from oil flow
• rechargeable batteries for operation in low flow regions. 

With Phase 1 complete, CSIRO is seeking partners to progress the project into Phase 2 and 3.

Phases 2 and 3

Phase 2 of the project is to build, commission and test a laboratory prototype in a mock up of a real well.

An important aspect of Phase 2 is forming a team that includes at least one oil-production company and at least one oil-well-service company.

In Phase 3 the robot commissioned in Phase 2 will be field tested in a real production well.

Business opportunity

CSIRO is currently looking for Australian and international petroleum and service companies to invest and continue the development of the downhole robot.

Partners have the opportunity to be involved via:

• strategic alliances
• collaborative research projects
• joint industry projects
• licensing of technologies and services
• the development of new facilities, laboratories and equipment.

For further information please contact: