Robotics and artificial intelligence in unconventional reservoirs: Enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

Shale, tight gas, and coal bed methane reservoirs are unconventional reservoirs that have geometrically complicated geological formations with low permeability, rendering their extraction operations difficult, expensive, and environmentally sensitive. On the other hand, recent developments in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence continue to transform how exploration, production, and maintenance activities are carried out in these reservoirs. This review paper encompasses how Robotics and AI technologies are applied to these unconventional reservoirs, improving operation efficiency, increasing the recovery rate and minimizing environmental damage. It updates on the latest status of autonomous drilling, AI-driven reservoir characterization and robotic fracturing. The paper also discusses future opportunities: emerging technologies, integration of AI with predictive analytics, and innovations toward sustainability. These are the challenges that come with possible solutions discussed in the paper: high costs, technical integration, and data quality. The review thereby presents the thought that robotics and AI will take a transformative role in the unconventional reservoir sector during the next few years, both in economic performance and environmental sustainability.