In The Spotlight
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC), one of the world's largest and most influential oil & gas events, was held from November 3 to 6
Under the theme Energy. Intelligence. Impact., this year's conference brings together global energy leaders to discuss AI applications in areas such as exploration optimization, carbon emission management, and supply chain intelligence. BGP, a company specializing in geophysical exploration under CNPC jointly exhibited with Huawei, showcasing their achievements in oil & gas exploration to global industry customers. These included collaborative efforts in building the Kunlun large model, the adaptation of Kunpeng with the GeoEast platform, and the application of AI with full waveform inversion (FWI).
During ADIPEC, Huawei hosted the Global Intelligent Oil & Gas Summit 2025, bringing together oil & gas customers, international EPC contractors, Chinese enterprises, and partners from the Middle East, Central Asia, Asia-Pacific, and Africa to share their latest achievements and experiences in intelligent development. Huawei and four partners also unveiled joint innovative solutions for intelligent oil & gas on a global scale.
"We are now experiencing an unprecedented intelligent revolution. But using AI isn't just about following trends. It's about creating real value in efficiency and safety,” Linda Han, Vice President of Huawei and CEO of Huawei Oil, Gas & Mining BU, stated in her opening address. “ICT development must align with AI scenarios that solve real operational challenges. Let practical applications steer digital evolution. Match technology with business needs so valuable data can empower AI for better quality and safer production."
Yue Changqing, President of BGP International, shared in his keynote speech that "Huawei's leading ICT in storage, computing, networking, and AI are driving BGP towards digital and intelligent exploration." He detailed that based on Kunpeng, they have developed a new GeoEast architecture and optimized its performance, increasing processing efficiency by 2-3 times compared to the original. Leveraging Huawei's OceanStor distributed storage, seismic data storage performance improved by 30%, and resource utilization increased by 50%. Using Huawei's MindSpore AI4S suite, computational efficiency for the 2D acoustic wave equation increased more than fivefold, with the 3D acoustic wave equation algorithm soon entering production verification. "Moving forward, leveraging BGP's business insights and Huawei's ICT expertise, we will continue to deepen collaborative innovation in geophysical exploration to pioneer a new paradigm for intelligent exploration and production," Yue added.
OQ Gas Networks SAOG (OQGN), Oman's exclusive natural gas transporter, has successfully completed a Proof of Concept (POC) for an AI-powered Smart Intrusion Detection System (IDS), developed in collaboration with Huawei. The initiative aims to shift from traditional manual patrolling to a proactive, intelligent monitoring solution as part of OQGN's business transformation through innovation and digitalization. The system utilizes Huawei's digital site perimeter protection technology, providing 24/7 intelligent detection and early warnings of external risks such as fires, excavation damage, and unauthorized intrusions. During the POC phase, conducted on a selected pipeline segment, the system achieved over 95% detection accuracy and delivered a 70% reduction in manual inspection workload. Following the successful trial, OQGN and Huawei are partnering to scale up the system, a milestone that earned OQGN the Huawei Oil & Gas Industry Best Joint Innovation Award.
Prithwi Mukhopadhyay, Engineering Manager of Bilfinger Engineering Middle East, shared insights on their practices in oilfield engineering related to digitalization, virtualization, and the enhancement of HSE excellence and operational efficiency. For example, he mentioned using digital twins of oil wells to simulate drilling scenarios for optimizing performance and predicting failures. They also utilize sensors and AI-driven platforms monitor drilling parameters and adjust operations in real time to reduce downtime and improve safety. The company operates remote control rooms that monitor offshore platforms virtually, reducing the need for an onsite team. He stated that Huawei's ICT strengths in hardware and software, coupled with digital certification programs, have further enhanced the cultivation of digital talent, advancing oilfield engineering models towards "digital leadership."
Launching Global Joint Innovative Solutions for Intelligent Oil & Gas with Four Partners
At the summit, Huawei, together with ANTON Oilfield Services Group (ANTON), SUPCON Technology Co., Ltd. (SUPCON), Shenzhen BH Energy Technology Development Co., Ltd. (BH Energy), and Beijing RayChange Information Technology Co., Ltd. (RayChange), jointly launched innovative solutions for intelligent oil & gas.
Huawei and its partners focus on common, high-value scenarios in the oil & gas industry, jointly developing scenario-specific solutions and products to help global oil & gas customers achieve efficient production, operations, and management.
ANTON: By developing intelligent oil & gas platforms, AI application products, and digital, integrated solutions for oilfield technology and management services, the company addresses challenges in industrial AI application such as difficult implementation, high costs, and low standardization.
SUPCON: Leveraging Huawei's computing infrastructure, SUPCON's Industrial Embodied Intelligence system, centered around the Time-series Pre-trained Transformer (TPT) model and the innovative Universal Control System (UCS), provides a basis for AI applications in core industrial scenarios like anomaly early warning, operational optimization, and control optimization. This empowers the entire oil & gas industry chain to adopt unattended operations and remote intelligent control.
BH Energy: By creating intelligent well control systems and smart edge controller products, the company helps achieve autonomous optimization and real-time data analysis for oil wells, enabling oilfield enterprises to enhance production capacity and reduce energy consumption.
RayChange: To address various engineering requirements in the oil & gas industry, the company collaborates with Huawei to develop digital and intelligent management platforms for oil & gas projects using the Deep Twin platform, creating a digital foundation for intelligent oil & gas operations.
In his closing remarks, Deng Bi, President of Huawei's Oil & Gas BU, reiterated Huawei's commitment to collaborating with partners and customers alike. Together, they will build a thriving global ecosystem and develop intelligent solutions that add value to core oil and gas scenarios, upholding the spirit of the summit: "Drive Data to Barrel, Embrace Intelligence to Grow."
At ADIPEC this year, Oil Review Middle East spoke to Gordon Docherty, vice president of Druck. Docherty talked about the company's products, technological solutions and prospects in the Middle East. Read on:
How do you see Druck connecting with customers and partners in this dynamic region?
It’s a real pleasure to be at ADIPEC for the first time. The conversations happening here are not just about today’s challenges but about how we can collectively accelerate progress through smarter, more sustainable technologies.
And I think that’s where Druck’s pressure measurement technologies fit in. The ability to capture precise and dependable pressure data and calibration not only boosts productivity but also helps organisations eliminate inefficiencies and reduce emissions.
For Druck, ADIPEC is an invaluable opportunity to connect directly with our partners, customers and potential customers across the globe, not just the Middle East. This region has always been central to the global energy landscape, and we see tremendous potential for collaboration; particularly as companies focus on digital transformation, operational efficiency, and safety.
We came here to listen, share our expertise, and explore how Druck’s advanced pressure measurement and calibration solutions can help our partners enhance reliability and performance in their operations. I have to say that the positive feedback, and the interest in our solutions, in particular our handheld portable calibrators, far outweighed our expectations.
It’s also been fantastic to spend time with our regional channel partners who play such a vital role in ensuring that Druck products reach every corner of the planet. Seeing the strong engagement they have with customers reinforces how important these relationships are in ensuring our technology and support are available where and when they’re needed. Their commitment and local expertise are key to our continued success in the region. ADIPEC provides a great platform to celebrate that collaboration.
What are the main applications for Druck pressure sensors and calibration equipment in the oil and gas industry, and the main challenges they are designed to address? Are there any products on display you would like to highlight?
Druck pressure sensors and calibration equipment play a critical role across the oil and gas value chain from exploration and drilling to production, transportation, and refining. Druck instruments ensure accurate measurement and control in pipeline monitoring, gas compression, storage, and refining processes.
For instance, Druck sensors deliver precise pressure and temperature measurements throughout the oil and gas extraction process. Our subsea sensors are engineered to operate reliably for up to 30 years, enduring the extreme conditions found at depths of 3,300 m beneath the ocean surface. The advanced technology required to consistently provide accurate data in such demanding environments over decades is truly remarkable, underscoring our commitment to long-term performance and reliability
Meanwhile, our calibrators support these applications by providing precise, traceable pressure measurements that help customers maintain compliance with international standards, improve operational efficiency, and ensure safety.
Our solutions are engineered to excel in the most demanding and unpredictable environments, such as high pressures, high temperatures, vibration, and corrosive media all of which demand exceptional sensor stability, repeatability, and long-term reliability. We also address the industry’s need for digitalisation and reduced downtime by integrating smart calibration solutions and digital communication capabilities that support predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics.
At ADIPEC this year, we showcased Druck’s latest calibration and instrumentation solutions, including the handheld DPI 610E, the high-performance PACE 5000 E and 6000 E pressure controllers, and the compact UPS 4E loop calibrator. These instruments are designed to deliver unmatched accuracy, reliability, and connectivity for both field and lab applications, and are widely used for instrumentation commissioning, asset maintenance and process optimisation across the Oil, Gas and Energy value stream.
How do you view prospects for the development of Druck’s business in the Middle East?
The Middle East is a very strategic region for Druck, and we see strong prospects for business development here. The region continues to invest heavily in oil and gas exploration, refining, and infrastructure modernisation, while also advancing its digital transformation and energy transition initiatives. These trends align with Druck’s core strengths delivering high-accuracy, reliable pressure measurement and calibration solutions that perform in the most demanding environments. Our sensors and calibration equipment are already trusted in critical applications such as wellhead monitoring, subsea systems, and pipeline operations across the region.
As operators focus more on safety, operational efficiency, and predictive maintenance, Druck’s digital calibration technologies and smart sensors provide real value; helping customers reduce downtime, ensure compliance, and extend asset life. We also recognise the importance of strong local presence and partnerships in the Middle East. Expanding our service and support capabilities locally is a key part of our strategy to deliver faster response times and build long-term customer relationships. Overall, we view the Middle East as a growth market where Druck’s proven technology, reliability, and commitment to customer success position us very well for the future.
How do you think measurement and instrumentation technologies will evolve in the future?
At Druck, innovation is absolutely central to how we operate. For more than 50 years, we’ve built our reputation on engineering excellence and pushing the boundaries of pressure measurement performance. Today, our focus is on integrating digital intelligence, connectivity, and sustainability into our technologies; ensuring our customers can rely on accurate, stable data while optimising operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Innovation for us is not just about new products, it’s about continuous improvement, collaboration with our customers, and anticipating the challenges they’ll face tomorrow. By integrating innovative calibration technologies and digital intelligence, Druck aims to deliver the next generation of measurement solutions that empower industries to operate more safely, efficiently, and responsibly.
What are your biggest takeaways from ADIPEC 2025? Are you planning to visit again?
ADIPEC 2025 has been an inspiring and highly productive experience, showcasing the energy industry’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable operations. I’ve been particularly impressed by how companies, including many of our customers, are leveraging smart measurement technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability – it has reinforced the important role Druck’s pressure sensors and calibration solutions play in supporting these goals. Meeting with our channel partners and seeing the strong engagement with customers highlighted the value of local collaboration in the region. Most importantly, seeing the exceptionally strong interest in Druck technologies was extremely rewarding. Overall, it’s been a fantastic event, and I’m very much looking forward to coming back to continue these conversations and explore new opportunities with partners and customers alike.
A new CDE report, produced in association with Oil Review Middle East, highlights the benefits of soil washing technology for the remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated land
Hydrocarbon-contaminated land poses a significant threat to ecosystems, economic development and human health. The Middle East region is one of the most affected, given the predominance of the oil and gas industry and contamination from legacy conflicts.
The new report, titled 'Restoring oil-contaminated land through washing technology' discusses the scale and impact of the problem and how advanced soil washing technology not only effectively restores contaminated land with relatively low carbon footprint and operating costs, but turns it into re-usable materials, converting waste into a valuable resource.
The Middle East therefore presents a significant opportunity for this technology, given governments and industries are increasingly prioritising sustainable construction, land remediation and circular economy practices.
The report includes real-world case studies from the region. In Kuwait, two CDE soil washing plants have to date processed more than eight million tonnes of oil-contaminated land, producing re-usable sand and aggregates with less than 1% residual contamination. While in Saudi Arabia a CDE plant converts oil-impacted waste into reusable materials, aligning with Vision 2030 circular economy objectives and sustainable construction initiatives.
Download the report, 'Restoring oil-contaminated land through washing technology'.
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The two companies will jointly pursue exploration and production opportunities. (Image source: PETRONAS)
Malaysia’s PETRONAS has signed an MoU with OQ Exploration and Production New Ventures LLC (OQEP) a wholly-owned subsidiary of OQ Exploration and Production SAOG, to jointly pursue opportunities for oil and gas exploration and production across the Middle East and Southeast Asia
The collaboration will leverage PETRONAS’ international upstream expertise and OQEP’s regional knowledge, aiming to unlock new growth opportunities and accelerate value creation in diverse markets.
The agreement was signed at OQPE's headquarters in Oman by Mohd Redhani Abdul Rahman, vice president of International Assets of PETRONAS Upstream, and Mahmoud Al Hashmi, acting chief executive officer and chief operations officer of OQEP,.
Redhani said, “This collaboration represents a meaningful step forward in our efforts to build a resilient and competitive upstream portfolio. By aligning our strengths with OQEP’s strategic direction, we are well-positioned to pursue impactful ventures in these regions.”
PETRONAS has been active in Oman since 2018 and currently holds participating interests in Block 61. This MoU builds upon the growing relationship between PETRONAS and OQEP, anchored on mutual respect and shared industry goals.
Oman's largest pure-play oil and gas exploration and production company and it is the only upstream oil and gas operator owned by the Government of Oman. OQEP currently ranks among the top three oil and gas producers and is also one of the largest holders of oil and gas reserves in Oman.
Abu Dhabi-headquartered Mubadala Energy, and PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI), a subsidiary of Indonesia’s energy and electricity supplier, have signed an agreement to supply gas from its gas fields in the Andaman Sea
The proposed partnership will strengthen Indonesia’s energy resilience and reinforce national energy security by reducing the reliance on LNG and developing sustainable solutions to address growing domestic demand. The agreement prioritises energy supply for North Sumatra and Aceh, including leveraging the potential of the Tangkulo gas field, which lies roughly 65 kilometres offshore North Sumatra, with over 2 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of gas-in-place. The agreement also opens the door for further discussions on technical and commercial frameworks.
By combining Mubadala Energy’s global expertise and operational excellence with PLN EPI’s growth plans and strong domestic capabilities, this collaboration aims to deliver solutions that guarantee reliable and sustainable energy for millions of Indonesians. The agreement aligns with Indonesia’s broader strategy to enhance energy security, optimise domestic resources, and build a resilient energy ecosystem.
Abdulla Bu Ali, president director of Mubadala Energy Indonesia, commented, “This agreement reflects our unwavering commitment to Indonesia’s energy future. By partnering with PLN EPI, we aim to deliver reliable and sustainable energy solutions that meet domestic needs and strengthen national energy security. This is also an important step for our development plans of the Tangkulo gas project in the South Andaman Sea.”
Rakhmad Dewanto, president director of PLN Energi Primer Indonesia, said, “PLN EPI continues to support the development of new gas fields in Indonesia and welcomes the development of the Tangkulo gas field in the South Andaman Block by Mubadala Energy. This collaboration is also part of the development of a gas supply portfolio for the power sector to support energy security and the energy transition in Indonesia.”
Farabi Petrochemicals Company has inaugurated its fourth integrated Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) plant in Saudi Arabia
The US$950mn state-of-the-art facility, located in Yanbu Industrial City, adds 120,000 metric tons per year of LAB capacity. Built adjacent to Aramco’s refineries, the plant leverages locally produced kerosene and benzene feedstocks, ensuring world-class integration, efficiency, and sustainability performance.
The new plant underlines Farabi’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives of downstream diversification, localisation and GDP growth.
The company also signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Unilever to expand their 20-year strategic partnership. Unilever is the world’s largest buyer of LAB, a key ingredient in household and industrial cleaning products.
The expanded agreement aligns Farabi’s capacity growth with Unilever’s constantly growing global demand in home care products, supporting innovation and sustainable growth. Both companies expressed confidence that this deepened collaboration will generate long-term value and advance their shared sustainability goals.
Eng. Mohammed Al Wadaey, CEO of Farabi Petrochemicals Group, said, “Farabi Petrochemicals is proud to be the world’s largest producer of LAB and NP which is the result of consistent growth, product diversification, advanced industrial infrastructure and dedication of our talented employees. We actively support Vision 2030 driving economic diversification, creating job opportunities, contributing to Saudi Arabia’s position as a global industrial hub, while maintaining a positive impact in the environment.”
An integrated energy and chemicals company, Aramco, in partnership with neutral-atom quantum computing firm, Pasqal, deployed Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer for industrial applications
Installed at Aramco's data centre in Dhahran, this marks a significant quantum applications development in multiple sectors in the region, including energy, materials, and industrial.
While aiding Aramco's operational efficiency strategies, the development gives Pascal's quantum exploration solutions a wider reach.
Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Aramco EVP of Technology & Innovation, said, “Aramco is an established technology leader, which continues to innovate through the development and deployment of advanced digital solutions that have tangible benefits. We are deploying AI and other technologies at scale to further enhance our operations, maximize efficiency and unlock value across our business. Our partnership with Pasqal is a natural progression and we are thrilled to pioneer next-generation quantum capabilities, harnessing significant opportunities presented by this new frontier in computing.”
Loïc Henriet, Pasqal CEO, said, "This is a historic milestone with Aramco. The deployment of our most powerful quantum computer yet is a piece of history and a landmark for the Middle East’s quantum future. Pasqal continues its expansion, delivering practical quantum power to industry."
Pasqal’s system installed at Aramco’s data center can control 200 qubits arranged in programmable two-dimensional arrays, offering a platform suitable for exploring advanced quantum algorithms and real-world use cases relevant to industrial operations.
Despite advances in digital technology, many oil and gas sites across the Middle East still rely on manual entry for tank and vessel inspections, resulting in days of downtime, high scaffolding costs and risk to human life
What if you could change all that with drone technology?
Inspections drones such as the Elios 3 are revolutionising the world of confined space inspections, improving safety, reducing downtime and enhancing operational efficiency.
Join us for an exclusive live webinar hosted by Flyability in association with Oil Review Middle East on ‘Transforming oil and gas operations with the Elios 3 drone’ on Tuesday 2 September at 2pm GST. Industrial experts will explain how drones such as the Elios 3 are transforming confined space inspections, and how you can integrate this technology into your operations seamlessly.
Key highlights:
Drone integration: learn how to safety and effectively implement drones in confined space
Safety and training: understand essential safety protocols and training strategies for your team
ROI: discover how to measure and achieve a strong return on investment with drone technology
Real world use cases: hear from the engineers using drone tech in the field on the impact Elios 3 is having on in oil and gas inspections.
Speakers and host:
Fabio Fata – senior sales manager, Flyability (moderator)
Eralp Koltuk – inspection lead engineer, Tüpraş
Danijel Jovanovic – director of operations, ZainTECH
Take your operations to the next level! Don’t miss out on gaining valuable insights into how drones can make inspections safer, faster and smarter .
From making inspections in hazardous confined spaces much safer to streamlining the whole process and providing valuable real-time data, you will get to see exactly how the Elios 3 is changing the game.
Methane emissions reporting is improving, but more action is needed to reduce emissions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Government and industry responses to UN Environment Programme (UNEP) satellite methane alerts rose from 1% to 12% cent in the past year, and oil and gas methane emissions reporting has improved, but action needs to accelerate to achieve the Global Methane Pledge goal of curbing methane emissions 30% by 2030, according to a new UNEP report
Atmospheric methane continues to be the second biggest driver of climate change after carbon dioxide, responsible for about one-third of the planet’s warming, and real-world data is a critical tool to track and reduce methane emissions.
The fifth edition of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) publication, An Eye on Methane: From measurement to momentum, finds that member oil and gas companies of IMEO’s Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 (OGMP 2.0) are set to track one-third of emissions from global production using real-world measurements. The OGMP 2.0 is the world’s global standard for methane emissions measurement and mitigation in the oil and gas sector. Over the past five years, OGMP 2.0 membership has more than doubled to 153 companies in the countries, covering 42% of global oil and gas production.
One-third of global oil and gas production reports, or will soon report, emissions at OGMP 2.0’s Gold Standard – meaning emissions are tracked with real-world measurements. This positions a large amount of the global industry to effectively measure – and thus mitigate – emissions. One of the companies achieving 'Gold Standard reporting' in 2024 for having effectively achieved the highest levels of data quality is Eni. OGMP 2.0’s 2025 report recognized Eni for its continued progress, including identifying and quantifying emissions across non-operated assets, as well as training and technical assistance on the LDAR (Leak Detection and Repair) approach to fugitive emissions. LDAR training sessions were organised with the support of UNEP and delivered to National Oil Company (NOC) personnel.
The report highlights that while government and company responses to alerts from IMEO’s Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) have grown tenfold over the previous year, nearly 90% remain unanswered, necessitating an increase in response rates. Through MARS, UNEP has sent over 3,500 alerts about major emissions events across 33 countries. These alerts are based on satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence-supported analysis. IMEO has documented 25 cases of mitigation action in ten countries since MARS was launched in 2022, including across six new countries during the past year.
“Reducing methane emissions can quickly bend the curve on global warming, buying more time for long-term decarbonisation efforts, so it is encouraging that data-driven tools are helping the oil and gas industry to report on their emissions and set ambitious mitigation targets,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP. “But to keep the Paris Agreement targets within reach, the important progress on reporting must translate into cuts to emissions. Every company should join the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership 2.0, and both governments and operators must respond to satellite alerts – then they must act to reduce emissions.”

