WellSense, a specialist in fiber-optic well diagnostics, has successfully completed a U.S. field trial of its new FiberLine Intervention Conveyance System (FliCS) — the world’s first jet-propelled, battery-powered well conveyance technology capable of rapidly deploying bare fiber into highly deviated wells.
FLICS with a 25,000-ft Fli probe
The Permian Basin trial, conducted in August 2025 for a major international operator, demonstrated the system’s ability to deploy fiber in a 19,000-ft uncompleted horizontal well in just 50 minutes — about ten times faster than a standard pump-down operation. The operator, which supported early development of the system, has committed to using the technology in four additional projects over the next three months.
Developed at WellSense’s Aberdeen R&D hub by founder and technology director Dan Purkis, FliCS enables fast, low-risk deployment of fiber for distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) across the reservoir. The single-use probe employs lightweight, jet-propelled thrust powered by onboard batteries, propelling itself through the well while de-spooling optical fiber for high-resolution data acquisition.
“FliCS will provide well operators a cost-effective, low-risk well surveillance solution for horizontal wells for the first time,” said Annabel Green, CEO of WellSense. “It enables expanded injection profiling, improved understanding of fluid placement, and supports matrix acid stimulation in carbonate reservoirs — all of which enhance treatment performance and reduce carbon footprint.”
The technology’s prototype model can deploy 25,000 ft of fiber in little over an hour, traveling at roughly 350 ft/min, compared with around 35 ft/min for a conventional tractor conveyance. Its lightweight components can be safely left in the well toe, minimizing operational risk and simplifying logistics.
WellSense plans to showcase the technology and field results at ADIPEC 2025 (Nov. 3–6), ahead of a commercial launch in early 2026 that will include a slimmer version for smaller-diameter tubing applications.
