Sophie Graham, chief sustainability officer at IFS. (Image source: IFS)

Industrial AI software provider, IFS, and PwC UK have released a new whitepaper titled, 'The Intelligence Behind Sustainability: Industrial AI's Critical Role in Decarbonisation', exploring the significance of Industrial AI in decarbonising asset-intensive industries

The whitepaper explains ways in which the industrial world can leverage AI for sustainability and operational efficiency across heavy and hard-to-abate sectors. Such industries account for approximately 40% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. 

This report follows IFS' research, 'The Invisiblem Revolution' (2025), which found that industrial AI adoption is accelerating rapidly and 86% believe AI will play a primary role in meeting environmental goals from energy efficiency and emissions reporting to CO₂ management.

"We're seeing Industrial AI fundamentally change how organizations approach sustainability," said Sophie Graham, chief sustainability officer at IFS. "Our customers are using AI to optimize everything from field service routes to production scheduling, and the results are tangible: less waste, lower emissions, and stronger operational performance. At IFS, we're committed to deploying AI solutions that help our customers achieve their sustainability goals while building more resilient, competitive operations."

"AI holds transformative potential for industrial and hard-to-abate sectors, guiding us towards net zero outcomes with innovative precision. However, as AI-driven solutions illuminate our path, we must also manage their energy demand responsibly. Harnessing this dual opportunity to lead with sustainability and efficiency will be at the forefront of industry evolution," said Leigh Bates, partner at PwC.

ProSep’s Annular Injection Mixers (AIM) will be delivered to an oilfield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Image credit: ProoSep)

Demonstrating its strengthened commitment to supporting operators in unlocking higher production performance across the Middle East, ProSep, a global leader in advanced process separation and mixing technologies, has announced the award of a significant new contract for its proprietary mixing solution

This latest agreement marks another strategic milestone for the company as it expands its footprint in one of the world’s most competitive oil and gas markets.

Under the newly secured contract, ProSep will deliver three of its cutting-edge Annular Injection Mixers (AIM) to a major oilfield in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of a regional operator. The award reinforces ProSep’s position as a trusted technology partner, recognised for its ability to deliver reliable, field-proven innovations that support production optimisation and operational efficiency.

The AIM units will replace legacy and conventional injection quills currently installed across the field’s production headers. By introducing ProSep’s high-efficiency mixing technology, the operator is expected to achieve enhanced dispersion and performance of key production chemicals including demulsifiers, scale inhibitors, and corrosion inhibitors. This improvement in chemical mixing efficiency is anticipated not only to boost overall plant performance but also to deliver substantial reductions in chemical consumption. Over the life of the oilfield, these reductions could translate into tens of millions of dollars in operational cost savings a major consideration in today’s cost-sensitive upstream environment.

This latest order is rooted in a long-standing relationship between ProSep and the client. Building on years of positive results from earlier installations, the new scope highlights the operator’s continued confidence in the company’s technology and technical expertise. It also underscores ProSep’s expanding reputation as a go-to provider of high-performance mixing solutions across the Middle East’s oil and gas sector.

In alignment with regional localisation strategies and growing demand for in-country value, the three AIM units will be manufactured in Saudi Arabia using local expertise and fabrication partners. Delivery is expected in 2026. While ProSep’s global engineering and technological innovation remain anchored in Houston, the company has evolved its execution model to integrate global know-how with regional delivery capabilities reducing lead times and enhancing customer responsiveness.

Raul Gonzalo, director of Sales and Operations, said, "Over the last 10+ years, ProSep has established a significant reputation in the Middle East. We've worked in-depth across the region with several operators and service companies, helping to improve plant efficiencies and production records. This new contract is a testament to that reputation, and particularly with this client.

"Over a number of years, we've delivered several of our mixing technologies and secured some very positive results in the process, so it's great to have confirmation of their ongoing trust in our expertise and the solutions we provide.

"Manufacturing the mixers in-country is the natural evolution for ProSep's presence in the region. This decision stems from the local market's demand for our technology and the network of suppliers we now work with. It's with great pride that we can say these mixers will be produced locally and supported by ProSep’s global engineering expertise."

Hussein Shoukry, managing director for the Middle East and Africa, Siemens Energy. (Image source: Siemens Energy)

Siemens Energy has appointed Hussein Shoukry as its new managing director for the Middle East and Africa, as of 1 December 2025

He succeeds Dietmar Siersdorfer who will retire after a distinguished career of nearly four decades with the company.

Hussein holds a degree in Construction Engineering from the American University in Cairo, and has extensive experience in leading complex energy projects and strengthening global execution capabilities.

Since joining the company in 2003, he has held several leadership positions, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President for Project Execution, where he led a team of over 3,500 and oversaw

Siemens Energy’s global Competence Centers in Romania, Mexico, and India.

In his new role, Hussein will be based in the UAE and will oversee the company’s operations and strategic initiatives across a regional footprint that spans 29 offices, employs more than 4,000 people, and recorded EUR 9bn in orders in fiscal year 2025.

“Rising energy demand is reshaping the future of both the Middle East and Africa,” Hussein said. “In the Middle East, countries are embracing a diversified energy mix and building localised supply chains, while in Africa the priority is expanding reliable electricity access for millions. The region also includes markets where critical energy infrastructure is being rebuilt or modernised.”

“With our broad portfolio in energy technology and longstanding presence, Siemens Energy will remain a committed partner in meeting these needs and strengthening the resilience of the Middle East and Africa’s energy systems.”

Global balances are shifting to oversupply next year. (Image source: Rystad Energy Research & Analysis)

OPEC+ has agreed to pause oil production hikes for the first quarter of 2026 as it slows down its push to regain market share amid fears of a looming supply glut as well as geopolitical uncertainty around Russia/Ukraine peace negotiations and US/Venezuela tensions

The eight OPEC+ countries – namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman – have been raising oil output month by month since April this year, but will pause production increments in January, February and March 2026 “due to seasonality”, according to an OPEC statement.

The statement said the countries will adopt a cautious approach and retain full flexibility to continue pausing or reverse the additional voluntary production adjustments, reiterating that the 1.65 million barrels per day may be returned in part or in full subject to evolving market conditions and in a gradual manner. The countries will continue to closely monitor and assess market conditions.

Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy commented, “The message from the group is clear: stability outweighs ambition at a time when the market outlook is deteriorating rapidly. Global balances are shifting toward a significant oversupply next year, with Rystad Energy estimating a surplus of 3.75mn bpd of liquids in 2026, one of the largest projected gluts in recent years. Against this backdrop, any additional barrels from OPEC+ would risk deepening the price decline that is already visible across the forward curves.

“For producers that are heavily reliant on oil revenues, holding back supply now is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity.”

Preserving optionality, rather than committing to a new production path, allows OPEC+ to react quickly if conditions worsen or if geopolitical events unexpectedly tighten supply, Leon noted.

“The alliance must balance its desire to regain market share while stabilising prices with the realities of political fragmentation, both within the group and across the global stage. The latest decision underscores how difficult that balance has become. OPEC+ is trying to manage a market moving toward oversupply while navigating geopolitical shocks that could arrive without warning.

“The result is a strategy rooted in caution, one that leaves room for rapid adjustment but also highlights the complex, fragile nature of the alliance’s current position.”

The delay in setting individual production quotas is a “clear indication of unresolved tensions”, he added.

Oil prices rose slightly on 1 December following the OPEC+ decision, with Brent standing at just over US$63, while Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian tankers have exacerbated concerns over supply disruptions.