Building Smarter Oil and Gas Operations with Open Industrial IoT
For decades, oil and gas operations have been constrained by proprietary automation and control systems. These closed architectures are costly to maintain, difficult to upgrade, and lack interoperability. As the industry seeks to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency, open Industrial IoT architectures such as the Universal Wellpad Controller (UWC) are emerging as a transformative alternative.
Challenges
Traditional oil and gas automation systems are dominated by vendor-locked hardware and software platforms, limiting flexibility and long-term scalability. Operators require an open, interoperable solution that can support modern data analytics while complying with strict safety regulations in hazardous environments.
To support the Universal Wellpad Controller initiative led by Intel and a global energy company, the customer required an edge computing platform based on Intel x86 architecture. Most importantly, the system had to meet stringent safety certifications, including ATEX and Class I Division 2 (CID2), to ensure reliable operation in explosive environments.
Main Requirements
- Low-power Intel®-based edge computing platform
- ATEX and Class I Division 2 (CID2) certifications
- Modbus-based industrial data acquisition
- Prioritized data pathways for process control
- Interfaces for device management, SCADA, and backend systems
- Extended operating temperature for outdoor deployment
Solution
To address these requirements, Axiomtek proposed the ICO300-83M, an ATEX and Class I Division 2 (CID2) certified DIN-rail fanless IIoT controller designed for hazardous oil and gas environments.
Powered by the Intel Atom® x5-E3930 processor with 8GB DDR3L memory, the ICO300-83M delivers reliable edge control and data processing performance. Its IP40-rated enclosure supports a wide operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C, along with wide voltage input (9–36 VDC) and comprehensive power protection mechanisms. Cold boot capability at -40°C further enhances system reliability in extreme outdoor conditions.
Application: Industrial IoT for Universal Wellpad Control
The ICO300-83M serves as the edge control device for wellpad and surface field facilities, enabling real-time data acquisition and control through open and extensible protocols. By supporting a wide range of industrial sensors and software platforms, the solution allows operators to gain actionable insights and optimize field operations without reliance on proprietary systems.
ICO300-83M: Rugged IIoT Edge Controller
- ATEX and Class I Division 2 (CID2) certified for hazardous environments
- Fanless, cost-effective design with Intel Atom® x5-E3930 processor
- 6 isolated RS-232/422/485 COM ports and isolated 8-in/8-out DIO
- 3 isolated Gigabit Ethernet ports for industrial networking
- Wide operating temperature range from -40°C to +85°C
- 9–36 VDC wide power input with OVP, UVP, OCP, and RPP
- Supports TPM 2.0 for enhanced security
- Cold boot support at -40°C for extreme environments
Why Axiomtek
By combining standard off-the-shelf hardware with open architecture operating systems and edge analytics software, Axiomtek enables oil and gas operators to break free from proprietary automation platforms. Axiomtek’s Intel®-based, safety-certified edge controllers improve system accessibility, manageability, and data analytics capabilities, empowering oil and gas companies to modernize operations, enhance productivity, and reduce long-term operational costs.
* Source: Intel Universal Wellpad Control