SPE-215057-MS Leveraging Autonomous Moon-Based Rovers for Multiple, Near-Term Applications in Field Operations Justin Cyrus, Van Wagner, and Joseph Kenrick, Lunar Outpost, Golden, Colorado, United States Copyright 2023, Society of Petroleum Engineers DOI 10.2118/215057-MS This paper was prepared for presentation at the 2023 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in San Antonio, Texas, USA, 16 - 18 October 2023. This paper was selected for presentation by an SPE program committee following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the author(s). Contents of the paper have not been reviewed by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and are subject to correction by the author(s). The material does not necessarily reflect any position of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, its officers, or members. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of any part of this paper without the written consent of the Society of Petroleum Engineers is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgment of SPE copyright. Abstract Lunar Outpost is an advanced technology startup specializing in the development of sophisticated robotic platforms for both space and terrestrial applications. Recognizing the need for automated site inspection and observation in industries such as upstream oil and gas, Lunar Outpost has developed the ‘Hound’ rover— a terrestrial robot designed for monitoring and gathering operational measurements of various field assets, including wellheads, flowlines, separators, tanks, pump stations, and pipelines. This paper describes the research and development efforts behind the Hound rover, focusing on the discovery of end-user requirements to effectively address industry pain points. The development process involved extensive stakeholder engagement, allowing for the identification of critical needs and challenges faced by the industry. The resulting platform was designed to meet these requirements and underwent rigorous verification and validation processes to ensure its capability and effectiveness. The research findings informed key decisions regarding prototyping, design, and the implementation of various features and capabilities. Each of these elements underwent thorough verification or validation, confirming their alignment with the original needs expressed by industry stakeholders. By addressing these needs, the Hound rover offers a comprehensive solution for autonomous monitoring and observation in the oil and gas industry. Furthermore, a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the Hound rover compared to existing operational procedures and other robotic platforms in use today. This analysis highlights the cost-effectiveness, improved visit frequency, enhanced observation capabilities, and strengthened regulatory compliance offered by the Hound rover. By replacing traditional site visits with autonomous systems, operators can achieve significant cost reductions, increase operational efficiency, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. The development of the Hound rover represents a transformative opportunity for the oil and gas industry. It addresses critical pain points, improves operational efficiency, and enhances worker safety. The findings and insights from this research have broader implications for the use of autonomous robotic platforms in various industries. Continued research and development efforts can further Downloaded from http://onepetro.org/SPEATCE/proceedings-pdf/23ATCE/3-23ATCE/D031S034R001/3306092/spe-215057-ms.pdf by guest on 11 November 2023