Pioneering Remote Well Monitoring Solutions in 2025 and beyond

IoT is reshaping the energy sector with intelligent, connected systems- yet upstream oil and gas still lags decades behind, still reliant on outdated data collection methods and technology. Hiber and Shell set out to address this gap by bringing the industry into the future- with digitized oil and gas monitoring solutions that relay actionable insights from even the most remote wells in real time.

Over the past 6 years, with early support and expert guidance from Shell,  Hiber has developed, tested, and deployed HiberHilo, an IoT-powered remote upstream monitoring solution that relays critical pressure and temperature data in real time, without expensive or dangerous site visits. Designed with field engineers in mind, and proven in real-world conditions, HiberHilo turns bold ideas into practical innovation for the biggest names in the oil and gas industry.

Here’s how it started, how far we’ve come, and how HiberHilo is leading the digital transformation of oil and gas. 

Real-World Needs Shaped HiberHilo’s Remote Monitoring Solutions

The story of HiberHilo begins in 2019, when Hiber, focused on satellite-powered IoT solutions for remote connectivity, saw an opportunity to bring digital technology into the energy sector. In collaboration with WTS Energy, Hiber began exploring how remote data transmission could help improve safety, sustainability, and efficiency in upstream oil and gas.

From day one, experts at Shell worked closely with Hiber’s engineers, offering insights from the field and engaging in open, hands-on collaboration. Through workshops and discussions, a shared vision took shape: a simple, satellite-connected solution to reliably monitor pressure and temperature at remote wells in real time, without needing to send crews onsite.

That concept became the HiberHilo- a scalable upstream monitoring solution designed for real-world field conditions.

It addressed a critical challenge: manual well checks in extreme or inaccessible locations are infrequent, expensive, and often risky. By contrast, HiberHilo enabled consistent, real-time monitoring through a lightweight sensor connected via satellite to a digital dashboard. That business case-validated directly through Shell’s input-was the catalyst for moving from prototype to production.

Proof of Concept: How IoT is Transforming Decommissioning

Oil and gas wells can last a hundred years, but they don’t last forever. And when a well reaches the end of its life, it needs to go through a decommissioning process to preserve the surrounding area and make sure there is no environmental contamination in the future. 

The decommissioning process begins with a one or two-year diagnostics period before the actual decommission. During this period, engineers gather data about the condition of the well so they can make a plan that eliminates risk after the decommission. To make a proper plan, they need a lot of information. 

In connected locations, companies like Shell use fibre-optic cables to gather all the well information they need for decommissioning. But in remote locations where it isn’t feasible to install cabling, they are forced to send teams out to gather diagnostic data. Sometimes these trips are delayed because of the weather. Sometimes priorities shift, and crews don’t gather diagnostic data during their visit. 

In any case, the story is the same: diagnostic teams can’t get as much information as they want on remote wells, so they can’t make extremely precise plans about their decommissioning project. Ultimately, it means that decommissioning isn’t as cost effective as possible, because the teams encounter surprises that they need to adjust for. 

Why Decommissioning Made Sense as HiberHilo’s First Test

Decommissioning is the process of safely closing and securing oil and gas wells at the end of their productive life. It’s critical for reducing environmental risk, but it’s also complex, costly, and data-dependent. Before any physical work can begin, engineers must monitor the well for a year or more to assess its condition and create a decommissioning plan.

For connected sites, large scale operators use fiber-optic systems to gather this data. But in remote locations, fiber optic isn’t an option- forcing teams to rely on manual checks, often delayed by weather or safety concerns. This limits the amount of diagnostic data collected and increases the risk of unexpected events during decommissioning, driving up costs and complexity.

Why HiberHilo Was the Ideal Fit

With its scalable satellite-based IoT connectivity, HiberHilo offered Shell a way to continuously monitor remote wells without frequent site visits. The solution was lightweight, rugged, and simple to install- perfect for platforms nearing end-of-life where investing in complex infrastructure wasn’t feasible.

The Benchmark Test: IoT vs. Wired Systems

Before deployment, Shell wanted proof that HiberHilo’s data quality could match their existing wired monitoring setup. So they ran a head-to-head test comparing data from both systems. The results exceeded expectations:

For a small, standalone IoT solution running via satellite, those numbers spoke volumes.

Easy Deployment and Seamless Integration

Once confident in the technology, Shell moved quickly. Hiber’s team provided an extensive training, equipped Shell crews with the sensors and gateway, and the installation was completed during a routine offshore visit- requiring just one day of the crew’s time, from training to deployment.

Thanks to its plug-and-play design, the sensors were online within hours. The data streamed directly into Shell’s existing monitoring systems via API, eliminating the need for parallel platforms or dashboards.

Unexpected Benefits: Predictive Efforts Replace Reactive Measures

While reducing site visits was an initial driver, Shell teams soon discovered another benefit: more actionable data for better decision-making. In multiple cases, HiberHilo revealed pressure in wells where none was expected, letting the team plan for proper plugs in advance rather than reacting onsite.

This kind of insight isn’t just convenient, it saves time, cost, and risk. And it’s exactly why Shell continues to scale HiberHilo across its global operations.

A Scalable Solution, Ready for Worldwide Deployment

As interest in HiberHilo grew across Shell’s global operations, one final challenge stood in the way: each country has its own legal requirements and operating subsidiaries. To accelerate adoption and scale the solution across multiple regions, Hiber and Shell collaborated to create a Global Framework Agreement.

This agreement streamlines procurement, acting as a pre-approved template that simplifies the rollout for local Shell entities. Rather than negotiating contracts from scratch in every country, subsidiaries can focus only on legal specifics, cutting lead times from months to weeks.

Thanks to this framework, Shell has already implemented HiberHilo in multiple countries. The solution has proven its adaptability across climates, regulations, and site types, from offshore platforms to land-based remote wells.What began as a single use case has become a scalable, reliable success story. And the partnership continues to grow. At Hiber, we stay in close contact with Shell’s teams to refine the product, support their evolving needs, and continue to evolve and innovate to contribute to a safer, smarter, and more sustainable oil and gas industry worldwide.