Technology

The collaboration will support real-time decision making across wells, facilities and production systems. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

SLB has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qualcomm Technologies to enable edge AI solutions for the energy industry, with a focus on enabling AI applications across production operations

The collaboration combines Qualcomm Technologies’ low-power edge computing and AI processing capabilities, with SLB’s Agora edge AI and IoT solutions developed for remote and complex environments, supporting real-time operational decision-making across wells, facilities and production systems.

With energy operators increasingly adopting automation and autonomous workflows across production environments, demand for agentic AI systems that can run closer to operations is rising, given they can support more responsive and resilient operations in remote environments where connectivity, latency and operational continuity are critical. This collaboration is expected to help operators modernise legacy operational environments while strengthening cybersecurity across operational technology.

“Together, SLB and Qualcomm Technologies aim to help operators apply AI more effectively across energy infrastructure,” said Rakesh Jaggi, president, Digital, SLB. “Many energy operations rely on real-time decision-making in remote environments where connectivity and responsiveness directly affect performance. AI systems designed around the realities of energy operations can help support more consistent and autonomous workflows across those environments.”

“Many industrial environments require AI systems that can operate with limited power, constrained connectivity, separation between operational technology and information technology environments, and real-time operational demands,” said Nakul Duggal, EVP and Group GM, Automotive, Industrial and Embedded IoT, and Robotics, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration brings Qualcomm Technologies’ low-power AI processing closer to energy operations, alongside operating assets, helping enable edge intelligence for new use cases and supporting progress toward more autonomous workflows.”

SLB to Acquire Tachyus

SLB has announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Tachyus Corp., a Houston-based technology company specialising in high-speed reservoir modelling and optimisation

This acquisition of the artificial intelligence-driven, physics-based modeling software company aims to meaningfully enhance SLB's reservoir management, production, and recovery capabilities across the energy sector. The transaction is expected to close shortly after the signing of the agreement, subject to the satisfaction of customary operational conditions.

Strategic portfolio enhancements

The proposed acquisition significantly strengthens SLB's overarching digital portfolio with differentiated, physics-based reservoir modeling capabilities. These advanced digital tools enable faster reservoir management decisions, which are critical to helping operators maximise overall resource recovery. Additionally, the integrated technology helps bridge the traditional gap between long-term development planning and active production execution across both complex and highly mature assets.

Highlighting the strategic importance of this move, Rakesh Jaggi, president of SLB's Digital business, stated, “Reservoir management is becoming increasingly dynamic as operators look to maximise recovery from existing assets”. Jaggi further elaborated on the expected synergies, stating, “The addition of Tachyus will strengthen our ability to deliver operational reservoir management workflows that help customers manage and optimise complex enhanced oil recovery schemes”.

Bridging planning and operations

As operators continually work to maximise recovery from their existing assets and simultaneously improve operational efficiency, the industry demand is rapidly increasing for technologies that support continuous reservoir management. While traditional high-fidelity reservoir simulators effectively support strategic field development decisions to optimise long-term recovery, Tachyus technologies uniquely enable operators to make more tactical decisions in response to rapidly changing operational conditions.

Tachyus achieves this by developing advanced software that seamlessly fuses machine learning with fundamental reservoir physics to effectively model reservoir behaviour under a vast array of different operating conditions. These technologies have the impressive capability to evaluate thousands of distinct reservoir scenarios in mere minutes. This rapid processing empowers reservoir and production teams to dynamically adjust field strategies based on current asset performance data while maintaining strict alignment with longer-term development plans.

The Aqueon Platform's global footprint

A core component of the newly acquired technology portfolio is the proprietary Aqueon platform. Highlighting its widespread industry adoption, the platform has already been deployed successfully across more than 7,500 wells globally. Operationally, the Aqueon platform actively supports a wide array of vital field functions, including waterflood management, precision pressure forecasting, and comprehensive production optimisation. Furthermore, it assists operators with saltwater disposal optimisation for complex unconventional operations, alongside driving enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations.

Future digital integration plans

SLB plans to seamlessly integrate Tachyus technology directly into its Delfi digital platform, as well as its Lumi data and AI platform, following the successful closing of the transaction. This deep integration is a crucial technological step that will enable robust, closed-loop reservoir and production management workflows across the organisation.

This strategic acquisition will continuously strengthen SLB's expansive capabilities in AI-driven reservoir modeling through the deployment of combined data- and physics-based models that continuously adapt to evolving reservoir behavior. In addition to acquiring these technological assets, the agreement will also bring additional, highly specialised reservoir engineering, data science, and software development expertise directly into SLB's broader digital organisation.

bp has successfully deployed multilateral well technology (MLT) in the Azeri-Chirag-Deepwater Gunashli (ACG) field development offshore Azerbaijan in the drive to maximise recovery and sustain long-term production

The introduction of multilateral well technology is expected to play a critical role in unlocking additional reserves and extending the economic life of the ACG, one of the region’ s most mature assets. It addresses the technical challenges of drilling through complex formations, alongside increasing constraints on available platform slots. By enabling multiple reservoir penetrations from a single wellbore, multilateral wells provide one of the most effective solutions for enhancing reservoir access, improving drainage efficiency, and maximising value from existing infrastructure.

“This the first time we are applying this well design in ACG, and it clearly demonstrates our commitment to deploying the right technologies to maximise recovery from our existing assets,” said Gio Cristofoli, bp regional president for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.

“Looking ahead, innovations such as this will be essential to sustaining long-term production and unlocking additional value. By increasing reservoir contact, improving rig productivity and operational efficiency, as well as optimising slot utilisation while making the best use of existing infrastructure, MLT is a step-change solution for well delivery in ACG. We believe it represents one of the most effective ways for us to continue delivering energy safely, efficiently and responsibly, while extending the life of this world-class asset.”

Following the successful drilling of the first MLT well – C44, the first multilateral well ever drilled in the Caspian, bp plans to drill further multilateral wells across the field. Three MLT wells, including C44 and D41, are scheduled to come online this year, with several more planned between 2027 and 2028.

bp’s development strategy focuses on deploying the optimal technology configuration for each subsurface target, to suit the conditions, which will involve combining MLT with other technologies such as horizontal drilling, advanced geo-steering, and smart completions, including sand control and inflow management, unlocking significant potential to further enhance recovery across the field.

Middle East dominates industrial AI shift. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Manufacturers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading the way globally in adopting and scaling advanced technologies, according to Rockwell Automation's 11th annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report 

The report draws on research conducted with manufacturing executives worldwide, including a representative sample from the Middle East. Findings indicate that manufacturers in the region are moving beyond planning and experimentation, with a growing focus on deploying digital technologies at scale to improve operational performance.

According to the study, the Middle East has emerged as the world's most committed region when it comes to digital transformation. Nearly all respondents, 98%, consider digital transformation essential to their business, placing the region ahead of Europe, the United States and the global average. This commitment is reflected in spending priorities, with manufacturers dedicating close to 30% of their operating budgets to industrial technology investments.

“Manufacturers in the Middle East are not just adopting digital technologies, they are scaling them at pace,” said Ediz Eren, regional vice-president, Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, Rockwell Automation.

“What sets the region apart is the combination of strong investment, clear strategic intent and a willingness to embed advanced technologies directly into operational environments.”

AI drives industrial transformation

Artificial intelligence continues to play a central role in the region’s manufacturing evolution. The report shows that AI adoption has reached near-universal levels, with almost every manufacturer either already using AI technologies or planning to do so. Generative AI has also gained widespread acceptance, becoming integrated across industrial operations throughout the region.

Rather than being limited to experimental applications, AI is increasingly being incorporated into operational technology environments. Manufacturers are using it to enhance quality management, strengthen cybersecurity measures and optimise production processes.

The study found that organisations are prioritising technologies capable of delivering measurable business outcomes. AI and machine learning were identified as the technologies generating the highest return on investment, reinforcing the region’s focus on practical and performance-driven digital transformation strategies.

Workforce and cyber security remain priorities

As digital adoption accelerates, manufacturers are facing new organisational challenges. Workforce readiness has become a major concern, with change management emerging as the leading challenge as companies introduce advanced technologies throughout their operations.

To address these issues, manufacturers are expanding reskilling initiatives and increasing efforts to recruit employees with expertise in digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The report highlights a growing recognition that future manufacturing competitiveness will depend heavily on workforce capabilities.

Cybersecurity continues to rank among the highest priorities for industrial organisations. As operational environments become more connected, manufacturers are investing heavily in protecting digital systems while managing the risks associated with increased connectivity.

The report also highlights growing interest in simulation technologies such as digital twins. Adoption plans in the Middle East exceed those seen in other regions, with many organisations preparing to invest in these technologies over the coming year. Digital twins are increasingly being used to model production environments, test operational changes and improve efficiency before implementation.

Despite strong progress in digitalisation, the research indicates that many manufacturers still struggle to maximise the value of their operational data. While significant volumes of data are being collected, a substantial proportion remains underutilised, highlighting the need for stronger data-driven decision-making capabilities.

Overall, the findings suggest that manufacturers in the Middle East are pursuing a distinctive approach to digital transformation characterised by significant investment, widespread technology adoption and a strong emphasis on operational outcomes. The report concludes that the region is not only keeping pace with global manufacturing trends but is increasingly helping shape the future direction of industrial transformation.

The State of Smart Manufacturing Report captures perspectives from manufacturing leaders across a range of sectors, including automotive, life sciences, consumer goods and industrial manufacturing. The research examines how organisations are adopting technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity solutions, digital twins and workforce development strategies as they respond to growing operational complexity and competitive pressures.