A step-wise approach to oil and gas robotics

Developing a reliable and intelligent robotic system which enables the remote operation of normally unmanned oil and gas facilities requires innovative and novel technical solutions. Our strategy for meeting these challenges is based on a step-wise approach involving development and validation of the technology in increasingly demanding settings. This starts with proof-of-concept demonstrations in our indoor test facility located in Oslo, Norway. Taking this one step further, robots and applications are further developed, tested and validated in a colocated outdoor test facility. This is normally an intermediate step before bringing demonstrators onto real oil and gas facilities. In this paper, this design philosophy is elaborated upon and illustrated using the development of a valve manipulation application as an example.