The new service has been deployed on oil and gas exploration projects in the Middle East.

Getech Group plc, a leading locator of subsurface energy and mineral resources, and STRYDE, the onshore nodal seismic imaging experts, have successfully deployed their new targeting and exploration service on a number of oil and gas and geothermal exploration projects in the Middle East

Designed to help energy and natural resource companies explore faster and more effectively, while reducing exploration risk and cost, the new service provides subsurface intelligence that reduces uncertainty and guides smarter, more targeted exploration investment. It enables companies to conduct early screening and identification of high value leads and prospects, to optimise new seismic survey design, and to reduce unnecessary seismic acquisition costs by focusing only where it matters most.

On a recent regional and multiphase client project in the Middle East, Getech analysed gravity and magnetic data to map subsurface density and susceptibility contrasts, providing critical insight into the depth and extent of the petroleum system and helping pinpoint areas with the highest prospectivity. Enhanced gravity and magnetic maps, a structural interpretation, reinterpretation of legacy seismic data, detailed lead descriptions, and a comprehensive lead summary map were provided. Based on these findings, a targeted 3D seismic acquisition campaign was recommended in high-value zones. STRYDE then designed and planned the seismic programme to ensure an efficient acquisition process focused precisely where new data will deliver the greatest impact for decision-making.

“The market has long lacked a streamlined, data-driven service that connects early lead identification to the delivery of direct targets,” said Max Brouwers, chief business development officer at Getech. “We are thrilled to collaborate with another industry leader to bring this unique solution to market. Our partnership with STRYDE combines Getech’s expertise in basin evaluation and geoscience intelligence with STRYDE’s specialism in nodal seismic acquisition for high-resolution subsurface imaging, creating a powerful service that accelerates the discovery process for energy and mineral companies. By integrating multiple geophysical datasets with expert interpretation, this new service empowers customers to target smarter, spend less, and discover more.” 

The new offering is now available to clients across sectors including oil and gas, CCUS, natural hydrogen, geothermal, and mining.

The applications of drones are advancing. (Image source: Flyability)

Are we ready to see drones in the oil and gas sector? Flyability discusses the potential applications

Any oil and gas facility faces an array of challenges – from working with flammable material to managing tight deadlines and high-pressure shutdowns. Drones are being proposed as a means to make work easier. So what can they offer the oil and gas sector?

The answer lies in safer, faster, and cheaper non-destructive testing. We’ve been seeing a steady rise in outdoor drone applications for inspections. Now, drones are advancing beyond visual inspections into non-destructive testing. This isn’t limited to the exterior of assets either – they’re flying indoors too.

The Swiss-designed Elios 3 is one example of an oil and gas drone. This remote inspection UAV was the winner of the Safety Award at the 2025 Offshore Support Journal conference in London. The Elios 3 is a confined space drone that features a protective cage and custom firmware that allows it to recognize and recover from collisions – perfect for flying indoors. The drone can be used to gather visual, LiDAR, and ultrasonic thickness measurements simultaneously, in addition to a low explosive level gas sensor calibrated for over 14 flammable gases. As it flies, the Elios 3 creates a 3D model of its surroundings that localises all of the UT measurements and points of interest captured by the camera. This means that post-flight, engineers can navigate a 3D point cloud of the asset and see where each measurement was taken, making it easy to locate defects and plan repair work.

Industry-wide change

As with any new technology, investors want to see results before committing to innovation. The numbers behind the Elios 3 offer little doubt: this technology is well-placed and ready to bring about real industry-wide change. In one case, UK-based service provider CyberHawk used the Elios 3 and its UTM probe and managed to save US$600,000 on cargo oil tank inspections. In another example, Turner Specialty Services saved 60% on pipe rack inspections measuring 2,000 feet (600 meters), completing the inspection on an oil and gas site in just 2 days.

Another reason for the growing interest in drone technology is the rate of development. As we advance towards more advanced AI and autonomous capabilities, drones are evolving too. For example, the Elios 3 has a Smart Return-to-Home feature that, when triggered by the pilot, allows it to select the fastest and safest route back to the home point. The tool works by using onboard autonomy engines to analyze the environment and plan the best route. This means that pilots can focus on gathering critical data while the drone manages its battery life and plans the home route. The manufacturer of the Elios 3, Flyability, also teases future developments that will take advantage of autonomy, such as “Resume Inspection”, where the drone will autonomously return to the point where Smart Return-to-Home was triggered to continue an inspection after batteries have been changed.

Drones are here to stay

So what does this mean for the wider industry? That drones not only have a place in the sector but are here to stay. Drone-based NDT inspections are offering improved safety, access, and reporting simultaneously. Multiple class societies have certified data collected with the Elios 3 UT, signaling industry-wide acceptance while the drone has received multiple awards commending the safety improvements it empowers. The technology is ready for the industry – it’s just a question of who will adopt it fastest.

The accelerating combinations of technologies is transforming industries.

The World Economic Forum has released a new report examining how emerging technology combinations are reshaping industries and how business leaders can harness these insights to create new business models

The accelerating combination of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and engineering biology is transforming industries and unlocking new economic and societal value. Yet many organisations struggle to identify where and how to invest.

The Technology Convergence Report, developed in collaboration with Capgemini, introduces the 3C Framework – combination (the integration of distinct technologies), convergence (restructuring of value chains) and compounding (network effects and ecosystem transformation) – to help decision-makers identify where emerging technologies intersect

The report identifies 23 high-potential combinations drawn from over 230 subcomponents across eight critical domains: artificial intelligence, omni computing, engineering biology, spatial intelligence, robotics, advanced materials, next-generation energy and quantum technologies.

It highlights AI as a key enabler, making many of these synergies commercially viable. Several combinations demonstrate the transformative potential of technology convergence across sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, energy and transportation, including:

Cognitive robotics: Agentic AI, spatial intelligence and robotic advancements in manipulation and adaptive control are enabling autonomous systems to make intelligent decisions in complex environments, driving progress in automotive and smart manufacturing.

Digital twin ecosystems: Advances in sensor networks and AI simulation systems are enhancing digital twins, enabling more integrated, end-to-end impact, and expanding their efficiency and applicability across sectors from aerospace to healthcare.

Hybrid quantum-classical computing: By combining quantum capabilities with the reliability of classical systems, this approach is already unlocking quantum’s potential in finance, molecular simulation and complex optimisation.

Materials informatics: Predictive modelling and transformers are accelerating R&D in advanced materials by enabling virtual testing of combinations and structures before synthesising them in a lab, driving more efficient development cycles in manufacturing, chemicals and beyond.

“Rapid advances across multiple technology domains are creating an undeniable shift in industries. The Technology Convergence report gives leaders a clear model to harness what is coming next,” said Jeremy Jurgens, managing director at World Economic Forum.

“The question is not about whether technology convergence will reshape industries. That journey has already begun. The real challenge is how companies can position themselves to be champions of convergence,” said Aiman Ezzat, chief executive officer of Capgemini.

Technological convergence is not a passing trend; it is a structural shift in how innovation occurs, the report concludes. By adopting a systems-thinking approach and investing at the intersections, organisations can anticipate where value is moving, position themselves in new value chains and lead the next wave of transformation.

Middle East manufacturers are leading the way in AI adoption, according to the Rockwell Automation report.

According to Rockwell Automation’s newly-issued 10th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report, 98% of manufacturing companies in the Middle East are using or planning to use generative AI, the highest rate globally, with 96% committed to broader AI/ML technologies

The study is based on feedback from more than 1,500 manufacturing leaders globally, including representation from the oil and gas (7%), renewables and energy transition (9%) and chemicals (4%) sectors.

The study highlights that Middle East companies are leading the way in deploying AI to improve operations and meet business goals, shifting from broad digital expansion to focused strategies, to achieve measurable outcomes in efficiency, cybersecurity and sustainability.

"Middle East manufacturers are not just experimenting with smart manufacturing technologies; they are applying them to address real operational challenges," said Ediz Eren, regional vice president, Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, Rockwell Automation. "From cyber resilience to ESG performance and workforce engagement, the data shows a shift toward outcome-driven digitalisation."

Practical use cases

Manufacturers in the region are focusing on practical use cases for AI, with 68% planning to use AI for quality control, 61% for cybersecurity, and 46% for energy management over the next 12 months, significantly above European benchmarks, and 42% applying AI/ML to monitor sustainability targets.

This is paying off in terms of ROI, with 10% of manufacturers citing GenAI as their top-returning technology, and 15% saying the same of cybersecurity platforms.

Cybersecurity has risen up the agenda for manufacturing firms, with 98% of companies having either invested in or planning to invest in cybersecurity platforms, and 44% deploying countermeasures to mitigate rising threats, the highest rate globally. Thirty-six percent now view cyber risk as their top external concern, up from 27% last year.

Technology is also reshaping the workforce, with  43% of regional respondents now prioritising upskilling, up 14% year-on-year and significantly ahead of the European average.