In The Spotlight
Wael Radwan, country sales director Rockwell Automation. (Image source: Rockwell Automation)
Why Middle East operators are demanding ROI-first digital solutions
Wael Radwan, director, software and control and intelligent devices for Middle East, Türkiye and Africa at Rockwell Automation, highlights the shift to targeted digitalisation that delivers measurable ROI and enables future-ready autonomous operations
In a sector accustomed to long project timelines and substantial capital outlay, Middle East oil and gas operators are now applying even more strict investment discipline. Digital initiatives must demonstrate their value through clearly defined returns, not merely conceptual promise. Every project must now serve a multi-dimensional purpose, supporting profitability, reducing emissions, strengthening compliance and enhancing resilience. A digital solution that cannot fulfil those aims does not survive the business case. In contrast to earlier waves of digital adoption which were about exploring potential, what matters now is performance, efficiency and bottom-line value. Pilots and proof-of-concept studies have become essential tools for determining the viability of new technologies. If the data does not back the decision, the deployment does not proceed.
One recent successful pilot, undertaken by a national operator in the Gulf, trialled model predictive control (MPC) in a brownfield upstream facility to improve energy utilisation, opening the door to broader autonomy discussions across the asset portfolio. These pilots are now becoming the currency of confidence, demonstrating value in operational terms before scaling further.
From automation to autonomy
Automation has long been embedded across the Gulf's oil and gas infrastructure, but the future lies further along the spectrum, with autonomy, which represents a strategic response to some of the region's most pressing operational challenges. Remote assets, hazardous environments and constrained technical labour pools all favour solutions that reduce reliance on human presence.
Unmanned operations are no longer an aspiration; they are entering deployment. In one offshore pilot, an autonomous robot has been deployed to monitor pipeline integrity, replacing routine manual inspection. The robot patrols assigned zones, records video and sensor data, and integrates this information into the control system, eliminating the need for helicopter-supported human intervention. The cost and safety implications are profound.
In another case, robotics is being tested in high-temperature process units where human access is restricted. Temperatures exceeding 500°C and strong electromagnetic fields make maintenance work dangerous and infrequent. By using robotic platforms coupled with intelligent control software, inspections are being conducted without shutdown, significantly improving equipment uptime and reducing operational risk.
This step change from automation to autonomy is underpinned by increasingly sophisticated digital architectures. It is no longer just a matter of automating manual steps. It requires systems capable of interpreting alarms, predicting failure modes, and executing closed-loop responses without human command. These are currently being piloted, with the Middle East's largest operators leading the charge.
Data without context is not intelligence
The foundations of autonomy, and indeed all ROI-based digitalisation, depend on the ability to contextualise data. Oil and gas assets generate enormous volumes of sensor, process and transactional data. But raw data is not intelligence. It must be connected, contextualised and made accessible across operations. Contextualised data is the enabler of predictive asset strategies, advanced planning models and autonomous control.
Many Gulf operators still contend with fragmented data environments. OT and IT systems remain siloed. Cloud strategies are currently under development but not yet universally adopted. This fragmentation impedes predictive maintenance, slows root-cause analysis and creates decision-making bottlenecks.
To address this, operators are investing in unified data platforms that consolidate operational and enterprise data into a single, structured layer. A major pilot project underway in the UAE involves aggregating data from multiple upstream installations into one real-time environment. The aim is to transition from a system of fragmented visibility to one of integrated insight, where data from production, maintenance, energy management and logistics can be analysed collectively to drive better outcomes.
Trust is also evolving. Historically, there was deep scepticism toward cloud-hosted industrial data. Concerns around ownership, security and transparency were barriers to adoption. That resistance is diminishing. Operators are becoming increasingly comfortable with the idea that cloud platforms can offer not only flexibility and scalability but also security and control, provided that governance frameworks are in place.
Consultancy over technology
The shift from trend-based to outcome-based digitalisation has also reshaped how technology is delivered. There is growing recognition that digital tools are only as effective as the strategies behind them. This has driven increased uptake of digital consultancy services, where solutions are co-designed with operators around their specific goals, asset constraints and regulatory context.
For oil and gas producers in the Middle East, this consultancy-led approach is proving essential. The region's operators face unique challenges, including environmental, geopolitical, and infrastructural ones, and there is no single blueprint for transformation. Effective digitalisation must be locally informed and globally benchmarked.
Recent engagements have focused on redesigning operations around ROI-centric principles. Rather than starting with a technology suite, consultants begin with operational KPIs, production targets, energy efficiency thresholds, and maintenance budgets and work backwards to identify the digital tools that best support those goals. This approach avoids over-investment, accelerates value and reduces resistance among internal stakeholders.
Energy management is a key area where consultancy is delivering results. By applying machine learning and data modelling to existing instrumentation data, operators are identifying inefficiencies previously hidden in the noise. The result is not just reduced energy expenditure but also improved emissions performance and enhanced reporting capabilities for regulators and investors alike.
As these digital strategies mature, modular platforms are allowing operators to scale their transformation gradually, starting with monitoring, progressing to analytics and ultimately embedding AI in control decision-making. This staged approach supports faster ROI realisation while building the digital confidence needed for more ambitious moves toward autonomy.
ROI is the new currency of transformation
Flashy dashboards, pilot projects with unclear value, or technology for its own sake no longer pass muster. Every deployment must deliver clear, measurable outcomes. ROI is not a hopeful result, it is the starting condition.
The operators that will thrive in this next phase are those that treat digital not as a silver bullet but as a structured discipline. They will define business objectives first, validate solutions through field-tested pilots, and scale only what works. They will integrate data at every level, automate where it makes sense, and explore autonomy where it drives true business advantage. They understand that smarter production and faster payback are not just aspirations; they are realities and requirements. And they are achievable if you start with value and build from there.
The inauguration of the new plant. (Image source: Farabi Petrochemicals)
Farabi Petrochemicals Company opens fourth Saudi LAB plant
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.”
The system will be deployed for the first time in Egypt. (Image source: STRYDE)
ARGAS pioneers STRYDE's seismic technology in Egypt
Egypt’s oil and gas exploration capabilities are taking a step forward with the first-ever deployment of cutting-edge nodal technology for onshore seismic acquisition
Leading exploration services company ARGAS has purchased 30,000 Range+ STRYDE nodes and STRYDE’s Nimble Seismic System. These will be deployed on a very large 2D seismic survey in Egypt to acquire high-quality seismic data across highly prospective sedimentary basins, supporting oil and gas exploration efforts in one of Egypt’s most promising frontier regions.
The ultra-lightweight Range+ nodes, coupled with a state-of-the-art, high-capacity charging, harvesting, and QC ecosystem, enable thousands of nodes to be rotated daily.This ensures faster acquisition cycles and rapid delivery of high-quality seismic data, giving ARGAS a competitive edge in Egypt’s rapidly evolving energy sector.
“After working with STRYDE’s system on previous projects, it became clear that this technology brings a significant advantage to both us and our clients,” said Soufiane Azzi, Director of Commercials and Collaborations of ARGAS. “The system has proven to drastically reduce deployment time, reduce headcount and vehicles count, simplifies logistics, improve recording time window, and delivers excellent seismic data. We are proud to be the first to bring node technology to Egypt.”
“This is a major milestone, not only for STRYDE and ARGAS, but for Egypt’s energy sector as a whole,” said Mehdi Tascher, sales director at STRYDE.“ARGAS’s purchase is spot on, and reflects the growing demand for scalable and efficient seismic acquisition systems that enable high-density data capture for superior subsurface imaging, empowering more confident and informed exploration decisions.”
Fadi Al-Shihabi, sustainability solutions lead, KPMG Middle East. (Image source: KPMG)
Decarbonising the lubricant oil industry
Fadi Al-Shihabi, sustainability solutions lead, KPMG Middle East, discusses how decarbonisation is transforming the lubricant oil industry and accelerating the Middle East’s journey to net zero
The lubricant (lube) oil sector is under growing pressure to minimise its environmental footprint as industries worldwide confront the realities of climate change. A rapidly growing industry in the UAE, it is currently estimated at 166.27mn litres, and is expected to reach a staggering 202.68mn litres by 2030. In the Middle East, where the current lubricant market is estimated at 2.94 billion litres and expected to reach 3.31bn litres by 2030, similar trends are evident in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.
From the automotive industry to power generation, the lubricant oil sector is a widely growing area. It plays a critical role in keeping engines, machinery, and industrial systems operating efficiently, but its traditional production, packaging, and end-of-life management contribute significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), oil and gas operations, including extraction, processing, and refining, account for approximately 5.1 Gt CO2e annually, or about 15% of global energy sector emissions. To remain on track for net-zero by 2050, these emissions must fall by over 60% by 2030.
The UAE has set itself enormous emissions targets – the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 – with stakeholders in key sectors, including energy, implementing projects to decarbonise in line with their needs and growth requirements. Saudi Arabia’s Circular Carbon Economy framework and Oman’s Net Zero 2050 pledge echo similar decarbonisation ambitions.
The deployment and use of clean energy solutions is one of the UAE’s main pillars to address climate change and reduce GHG emissions. The country began financing clean energy projects more than 15 years ago and has invested over US$40bn in the sector to date. The Middle East region as a whole is set to receive over US$75bn in investments for renewable energy projects by 2030, according to a report released by the Energy Industries Council (EIC). Ahead of the COP28 summit in the UAE in 2023, more than 60 top executives from the oil and gas, cement, aluminium and other heavy industries agreed to cut their emissions to meet their climate obligations.
Within the lubricants sector, electrifying process heat, cutting methane leaks, and using low-emissions hydrogen, particularly in energy-intensive refining steps like hydrotreating and hydroisomerisation, are vital for efficiency improvements. These innovations are critical as it is estimated that a single liter of lubricant can generate over 3.5 kg CO₂e. Refineries across the GCC are piloting hydrogen and CCUS technologies to curb emissions in lubricant production.
Innovation powering the lubricants industry
The journey of lube oil begins with crude oil extraction, followed by vacuum distillation to separate heavier fractions suitable for base oil production. These base oils undergo further refining processes such as hydrotreating, hydroisomerisation, dewaxing and other processes, enhancing their viscosity, stability, and longevity.
Recent innovations in catalyst technology and feedstock selection are driving both product quality improvements and emissions reduction. Producers are also blending biomass-derived feedstocks with conventional inputs to create lower-carbon base oils. These bio-based oils perform similarly to fossil-based ones but have less carbon footprint and can be processed using existing infrastructure. Scientists are also exploring entirely renewable base oils.
However, innovation doesn’t stop at production. Digital monitoring tools help reduce lubricant waste during use. For example, Finnish company Lassila & Tikanoja installed real-time oil monitoring across its hydraulic systems and reduced oil use by 13,400 litres over four years, saving around 10 tonnes of CO₂e annually. They also cut lubricant-related emissions by up to 80% through smarter maintenance without affecting performance.
Packaging and handling
When it comes to packaging, manufacturers are increasingly optimising designs by reducing material use and enhancing handling and distribution. While traditional rigid plastics and metals have historically provided the necessary protection, they also present significant challenges in terms of disposal and GHG emissions.
Consequently, the lubricant industry is undergoing a transition toward low-carbon packaging alternatives that can maintain safety and performance while addressing environmental concerns. Lightweighting and design optimisation reduce raw material demand, shipping weight, and CO2 emissions per litre delivered, without compromising safety or performance.
TotalEnergies has been at the forefront with the integration of 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) HDPE in its premium lube oil bottles, launched in France and Belgium since September 2023. These bottles retain the same weight, design, and performance while significantly reducing the carbon footprint.
Lowering cradle-to-grave emissions
Beyond production and packaging, extending lubricant life is key to decarbonisation. Modern additives have enabled lubricant change intervals to increase from 5,000 km in legacy vehicles to upwards of 30,000 km in modern engines.
Bio-based or biomass-balanced additives further support environmental goals by reducing the emissions linked to additive manufacture and enhancing overall oil performance. The result is less frequent oil manufacture, transport, and disposal.
As the UAE accelerates its journey towards decarbonisation, these steps will be crucial in ensuring the responsible end-of-life management of lube oils. Technological advancements and environmentally friendly formulations will create new growth avenues and set a new benchmark in the UAE’s industrial revolution. As neighbouring countries pursue similar ambitions, regional collaboration in innovation and policy will be key to transforming the Middle East lubricant landscape.
Declines rates are lower in the Middle East than elsewhere. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Accelerating decline in output from existing oil and gas fields: IEA
Declines in output from existing oil and gas fields globally have accelerated – largely due to a higher reliance on shale and deep offshore resources – but are lower in the Middle East than other parts of the world, according to a new report from the IEA
The new report, 'The Implications of Oil and Gas Field Decline Rates', draws on production data from around 15,000 oil and gas fields from around the world, and highlights the wide variation in decline rates across field types and geographies, with production from larger fields declining more slowly than from smaller fields, and offshore fields declining more quickly than onshore fields. The declines rates for the Middle East and Russia, which are home to the majority of conventional onshore supergiant fields, are therefore much lower than those elsewhere. This could mean that oil production from existing fields would become more concentrated among the OPEC member countries and Russia, who could see their share of global oil production rise from 43% today to 53% in 2035 and more than 65% in 2050, according to the IEA.
In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where major upstream expansion projects are underway, production growth from approved projects, along with existing spare capacity and continued investment in existing projects, can more than offset the loss of production from natural declines, especially as decline rates are relatively low in both countries.
Onshore supergiant oil fields in the Middle East decline at less than 2% per year, while smaller offshore fields in Europe average more than 15% per year, according to the report. Tight oil and shale gas decline even more steeply: without investment, output falls by more than 35% over one year and a further 15% over a second year. The Middle East has the lowest oil post-peak decline rate at 1.8%, compared with global average annual post-peak decline rate of 5.6% for conventional oil and 6.8% for conventional natural gas.
IEA executive director Fatih Birol noted that nearly 90% of upstream investment annually is dedicated to offsetting losses of supply at existing fields. “Decline rates are the elephant in the room for any discussion of investment needs in oil and gas, and our new analysis shows that they have accelerated in recent years. In the case of oil, an absence of upstream investment would remove the equivalent of Brazil and Norway’s combined production each year from the global market balance. The situation means that the industry has to run much faster just to stand still. And careful attention needs to be paid to the potential consequences for market balances, energy security and emissions.”
The development of new resources would therefore be need to keep up the level of global oil and gas production. Even with continued spending on existing fields, more than 45mn bpd of oil and nearly 2,000 bcm of gas from new conventional fields would be required by 2050 to maintain production at today’s levels, according to the IEA.
The report also highlights that it has taken almost 20 years on average to move from issuing an exploration licence for oil and gas until first production. Around 230 billion barrels of oil and 40 trillion cubic metres (tcm) of gas resources have been discovered that have yet to be approved for development, mainly in the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa. Developing these resources could add around 28 mn bpd and 1,300 bcm by 2050, the IEA says.
The GGIP involves four elements
TotalEnergies launches construction of major Iraq projects
TotalEnergies has announced the start of the construction of the final two components of Iraq’s Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) which it is operating alongside its partners Basra Oil Company and QatarEnergy
The 4-in-1 project comprises the recovery of gas that is currently flared at three oil fields in southern Iraq to supply electric power plants, the redevelopment of the Ratawi oil field, the construction of a 1 GWac (1.25GWp) solar farm and a seawater treatment plant. With total investment exceeding US$13bn, it aims to sustainably develop Iraq’s natural resources to improve the country’s electricity supply while contributing to its energy independence and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Following the start of construction of the 300 Mcf/d gas treatment plant and the 1 GWac solar facility at the beginning of this year, all parts of the multi-energy GGIP project are now in their execution phase.
Patrick Pouyanné, chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, and His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatari Minister of State for Energy Affairs, deputy chairman and CEO of QatarEnergy, met on 14 September in Baghdad with His Excellency Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, and His Excellency Hayan Abulghani, Minister of Oil and Deputy Prime Minister, to announce the start of construction of the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP) and the full field development of the Ratawi oil field.
The CSSP will be built on the coast near the town of Um Qasr. It will process and transport 5 million barrels of seawater per day to the main oilfields in southern Iraq, thereby freeing up to 250,000 cubic meters of freshwater per day for irrigation and local agriculture needs. The plant will be operated by Basra Oil Company.
The Ratawi redevelopment was launched in September 2023. Phase 1 aims to increase production to 120,000 bpd and is expected to come on stream by early 2026. Phase 2 (full field development) will increase production to 210,000 bpd starting in 2028, with no routine flaring.
All 160 Mcf/d of associated gas will be fully processed thanks to the 300 Mcf/d Gas Midstream Project (GMP), whose construction began early 2025. The GMP, which will also treat previously flared gas from two other fields in southern Iraq, will deliver processed gas into the national grid where it will fuel power plants with a production capacity of approximately 1.5 GW, providing electricity to 1.5 million Iraqi households. An Early Production facility to process 50 Mcf/d of associated gas will start early 202,6 together with the Ratawi phase 1 oil production.
“We are delighted today to award the two final contracts of the Gas Growth Integrated Project, in particular the seawater treatment plant which has been long awaited by the oil industry in Iraq. In less than two years since the GGIP effective date in August 2023, TotalEnergies and its partners have fully executed their commitment towards the people of Iraq and launched all projects included in the multienergy GGIP projet, the best showcase of TotalEnergies transition strategy. All these projects will bring a significant contribution to the Iraq economy and employ during the construction phase 7,000 Iraqi nationals,” said Patrick Pouyanné. “Furthermore, I am proud to confirm that the first phase of the associated gas, oil and solar projects will start-up as soon as early 2026.”
The event will bring together national and international oil companies, technology pioneers, leading academics, and service providers to address the industry's most pressing challenges and opportunities. (Image source: Informa)
MEOS GEO 2025: Shaping the future of energy
The Middle East is set to reaffirm its leadership in the global energy sector with the upcoming Middle East Oil, Gas, and Geosciences Show (MEOS GEO 2025)
Scheduled for 16-18 September 2025 at Exhibition World Bahrain, this landmark event is more than just an industry gathering; it is a strategic platform embodying the region's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in a rapidly transforming energy landscape.
Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of The Kingdom of Bahrain, MEOS GEO 2025 is recognised as the premier upstream oil, gas, and geosciences exhibition and conference in the Middle East. The event will bring together national and international oil companies, technology pioneers, leading academics, and service providers to address the industry's most pressing challenges and opportunities.
Driving energy leadership and sustainability
Under the theme "Energy for a prosperous future: Leading a sustainable tomorrow," MEOS GEO 2025 reflects the balance between energy security and environmental stewardship. The event will explore optimising hydrocarbon production, accelerating digital transformation, and advancing decarbonisation strategies.
A cutting-edge strategic & technical programme
The strategic conference will feature high-level panel discussions where global energy leaders tackle complex questions about balancing immediate energy demands with long-term transition goals. The technical programme will feature 123 specialised sessions covering the full spectrum of upstream energy industry challenges and innovations, providing practical knowledge and implementable solutions.
Collaboration and innovation at the core
Beyond knowledge-sharing opportunities, MEOS GEO 2025 serves as a hub for strategic collaboration. The exhibition floor will feature innovations from over 120 companies, while specialised zones will facilitate networking and partnerships.
Specialised feature zones
MEOS GEO 2025 offers specialised zones designed to foster innovation and knowledge exchange, including:
• Start-up zone for emerging companies.
• Digitalisation zone focused on cutting-edge digital solutions.
• Live Labs & Genius Talks stage for dynamic discussions.
• e-Poster zone for sharing research in digital formats.
• Young Professionals & Students Programme aimed at nurturing future talent.
Leading the future with purpose and sustainability
MEOS GEO 2025 exemplifies Informa's FasterForward strategy by embedding sustainability at its heart. From its focus on low-carbon innovation to the inclusion of SANAD as the Sustainability Sponsor, the event highlights emissions-reduction technologies and enhanced ESG practices. Initiatives such as showcasing hydrogen and geothermal exploration, alongside efforts to reduce waste, reflect a commitment to driving meaningful change.
Streamlined sponsorship highlights
The event's sponsorship lineup underscores its strategic importance in the global energy sector. Industry leaders such as SLB, and Saudi Arabian Chevron are among the key sponsors, alongside Alkhorayef Petroleum Company and Baker Hughes.
MEOS GEO 2025 is not just a trade show; it is a transformative platform where stakeholders can collectively chart a course toward a sustainable and prosperous energy future, blending traditional strengths with forward-looking technologies and practices.