DUG Nomad is designed tomake HPC and AI inference accessible wherever data is needed. (Image source: DUG)

Across the Middle East, oil and gas operators are acquiring larger seismic surveys, using more advanced imaging algorithms and streaming more field data than ever before

Yet as these workflows intensify, it is becoming increasingly difficult to rely solely on distant, centralised data centres. Moving any amount of big data to the cloud, be it terabytes or petabytes, introduces latency risk and bandwidth bottlenecks, while off-premise storage of subsurface data raises security and sovereign vulnerabilities. Operators now face a critical challenge: how to get powerful compute where the data resides, not hundreds or thousands of kilometres away.

That is where DUG Nomad comes in – a deploy-anywhere, ultra-dense edge-computing solution designed to make high performance computing (HPC) and AI inference accessible wherever data is generated.

Available in 10-foot and 40-foot containerised models, DUG Nomad brings the power of a full-scale data centre directly to the field. The compact Nomad 10 delivers 80 kW of cooling and supports more than 100 NVIDIA H200 GPUs, with self-contained cooling that requires no external chillers, plumbing or site preparation. It goes from delivery to operation in just hours.

The recently introduced Nomad 40 takes this further, providing up to 1 megawatt of IT heat rejection and supporting more than 1,000 NVIDIA H200 GPUs or 92,000 CPU cores in a mobile, modular form. Both systems are engineered to operate in any environment – including the hot, arid conditions common across the Middle East – thanks to the integrated immersion-cooling system that shields hardware from dust and oxidation. This makes Nomad uniquely capable of delivering scalable compute power on demand in places where traditional air-cooled systems often struggle with efficiency and reliability.

“Organisations increasingly need the power of a data centre without being bolted down to one location,” said Harry McHugh, DUG chief information officer. “Nomad gives them that flexibility – the ability to deploy serious computing capability at the edge, in days rather than months, with exceptional energy efficiency.”

For operators across the region, DUG Nomad offers more than mobility. By processing data on-site, it optimises data sovereignty, confidentiality and speed, ensuring that critical and sensitive information never leaves the operational perimeter while reducing latency for real-time analysis.

With its new Abu Dhabi office supporting large-scale projects across the region, DUG is uniquely positioned to help clients harness the benefits of edge computing – bringing HPC and AI inference closer to where insights begin.

The oil and gas industry could save more than US$320bn in the next five years by further digitalising operations in five key areas. (Image source: Rystad Energy)

The oil and gas industry could save more than US$320bn in the next five years by further digitalising operations in five key areas, according to Rystad Energy research

The five key areas highlighted are drilling optimisation, autonomous robotics, predictive maintenance, reservoir management, and logistics optimisation.

The oilfield services (OFS) business ecosystem is expected to undergo a significant transformation as continued merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, new business partnerships with technology firms, and greater software integration drive digital-first business strategies for key OFS players.

“We estimate that US$320bn is a modest figure, as broader digital adoption across other business domains could generate even greater value. To realise this, executives will need to deliberately prioritise digital transformation by fostering a less risk-averse business culture,” said Binny Bagga, senior vice president, Supply Chain.

Rystad notes that digital revenue streams offer more stable, resilient growth trajectories that are less exposed to the volatility of upstream capex. SLB expects its digital division’s margin to reach 35% on a full-year basis in 2025, while Viridien’s digital, data and environment (DDE) segment generated US$787mn, growing 17% and delivering adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$458mn last year.

“The investment community is increasingly valuing energy-technology narratives, with service companies that clearly articulate technology-driven and recurring-revenue strategies often commanding higher valuation multiples than those tied solely to equipment cycles. However, such premium valuations hinge on demonstrated scalability. Emphasising digitalisation is a direct pathway to creating lasting shareholder value,” Bagga said.

Nevertheless, widespread adoption of digital oilfields faces significant barriers, including substantial upfront costs for hardware, software, ongoing maintenance and cybersecurity, which impact smaller firms or those operating with legacy infrastructure in particular. To mitigate these challenges, mid-tier companies are selectively enhancing their offerings with targeted digital capabilities, while smaller niche players and specialised software vendors focus on delivering modular, custom solutions.

A marked trend in digital investment is the growing use of partnerships with technology firms, which complements internal capability building and acquisitions in the digital space. These have increased significantly, with the most significant growth observed in the past two years among leading companies such as SLB, Halliburton, NOV and Baker Hughes. This pattern highlights a clear industry shift toward digital transformation, with large suppliers actively accelerating their collaborations with technology partners in recent years.

Christian Pedersen, chief product officer, IFS. (Image source: IFS)

IFS, a leading provider of Industrial AI software, and Boston Dynamics, a global leader in mobile robotics, are collaborating to create an agentic AI system to help asset-intensive organisations manage and optimise their field operations

The collaboration focuses on serving industries where field operations are critical, including manufacturing, energy, utilities, mining, and other asset-intensive sectors.

Uniting Boston Dynamics' autonomous inspection robots with the power of IFS.ai, the agentic AI system seamlessly connects sensing, predictive decision-making and action in the field. Boston Dynamics’

Spot robots inspect industrial assets and sites, capturing critical operational data in real-time. Spot uses thermal cameras to detect overheating, can listen to air or gas leaks, read analog gauges for pressure and flow, check indicator lights, identify hazard such as spills, or detect voltage anomalies. This information feeds directly into IFS.ai where agentic AI analyses the data, makes intelligent decisions, and triggers appropriate actions.

Together, IFS and Boston Dynamics are targeting measurable improvements across three critical operational metrics:
• Safety: Autonomous inspections reduce human exposure to hazardous environments while increasing inspection frequency and thoroughness
• Efficiency: Intelligent automation enables faster decision-making and response times, optimising resource allocation
• Uptime: Predictive insights and automated actions help prevent failures before they occur, maximising asset availability

Christian Pedersen, chief product officer, IFS, said, “Asset-intensive organisations face unrelenting pressure to improve operational performance. Together with Boston Dynamics, we’re delivering a truly autonomous system that connects the physical and digital worlds for the first time. IFS.ai and IFS Loops turn robot observations into enterprise action, from preventative maintenance scheduling to predictive failure analysis and automated anomaly detection. Data flows from the field into enterprise systems, decisions are made autonomously, and actions are executed back in the field, all within a single integrated platform.”

Dr. Merry Frayne, director of Product, Boston Dynamics, added, “This collaboration represents the future of industrial operations. Our robots excel at navigating complex environments and gathering critical data. Combined with IFS’s agentic decision-making capabilities, we're enabling organisations to achieve levels of operational excellence and safety that simply weren’t possible before.”

The partnership marks a significant quantum applications development.

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.