Research status and future prospects of inspection robots for long-distance oil and gas pipelines

Long-distance oil and gas pipelines serve as vital channels for efficient energy transportation, making their safe and stable operation essential. Daily inspections play a crucial role in promptly detecting abnormal conditions and minimizing the risk of pipeline failures. With the rapid advancement of intelligent technology, pipeline inspection robots are poised to replace traditional manual inspections, enhancing both accuracy and efficiency. The application of pipeline inspection robots was examined across four domains: power and traction, navigation and obstacle avoidance, sensing and detection, and communication and interaction. In light of long-distance oil and gas pipeline management needs, the limitations and challenges of these robots were thoroughly analyzed. The following development directions for inspection robots were proposed: lightweight design and structural optimization; implementation of double-seal dust-proof measures; advancement of motion vibration reduction, low-temperature endurance, ventilation, and heat dissipation functions; research on high-precision navigation systems, intelligent path-planning algorithms, and emergency response mechanisms; development of intelligent semantic interaction modules to enhance human-robot collaboration; improvement of fault tolerance and information security; and exploration of collaborative inspection modes between robots and drones. The research findings can offer valuable guidance for advancing oil and gas pipeline inspection technologies and enhancing management practices.