The agentic AI solution is being rolled out across all ADNOC's upstream assets. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Abu Dhabi-based AI pioneer AIQ has won a US$340mn contract with ADNOC to deploy its agentic AI solution ENERGY^ai  across ADNOC’s upstream value chain, following the successful completion of a proof-of-concept phase

The three-year contract will see ENERGY^ai and a suite of related AI solutions rolled out across all ADNOC’s upstream assets, comprising more than 28 producing fields, in ADNOC’s drive to become the world’s most AI-enabled company.

Built on 70 years of proprietary data and knowledge, ENERGY^ai combines large language model (LLM) technology with cutting-edge agentic AI, which is trained for specific workflows across ADNOC’s upstream value chain. ENERGY^ai brings a new level of efficiency and precision to critical tasks, from seismic analysis to geological modelling and real-time process monitoring, reducing time for essential business processes from months to days, minimising cost, and reducing emissions in the process.

The POC trial demonstrated that ENERGY^ai's agentic AI can deliver significant improvements in the pace and accuracy of upstream exploration through rapid, precise and detailed seismic survey analysis, alongside relevant, actionable insights to support production optimisation at ADNOC’s existing wells.

The first operational, scalable version of ENERGY^ai is expected to be completed in mid-2025. It will include five fully operational AI agents covering tasks within subsurface operations and will be test-deployed across several upstream assets, with plans to scale its application to thousands of additional wells. 

Magzhan Kenesbai, acting managing director, AIQ said, “This contract marks a defining moment for AIQ. In partnership with ADNOC, we have developed a world-first agentic AI solution that is scalable across the entire energy value chain and has the potential to transform the industry as we know it. We are proud to see ENERGY^ai move from a successful proof-of-concept to full deployment, enabling ADNOC to unlock unparalleled efficiencies, reduce carbon intensity, and advance their sustainability ambitions. This achievement reflects our commitment to delivering innovative, high-impact AI solutions that not only meet the challenges of today but also shape the future of energy.”

Speaking at CERA Week in Houson, ADNOC managing director and Group CEO Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said,"Today, we have integrated AI comprehensively across the value chain from the control room to the board room. Over 200 AI use cases are currently being implemented across ADNOC’s operations, from exploration to refining to logistics and strategic decision making.

“Using AI, we are speeding up our upstream seismic analysis from months to hours. We are increasing the accuracy of production forecasts by up to 90% and we are on course to make ADNOC the most AI enabled energy company in the world.”

1-BB5 pump skid with 3point gimbal mounting for FPSO unit. (Image source: Trillium Flow Technologies)

Oil Review Middle East hears from Trillium Flow Technologies experts about the company’s innovative solutions for the offshore environment.

Oil Review Middle East: Thank you for joining us today. Ensuring energy security is crucial during the global energy transition. With oil and gas accounting for 55% of global energy, the industry is increasingly using floating production systems to tap into new and existing offshore reserves. How is Trillium Flow Technologies contributing to meeting these demands?

Sam Eccles, pump product director: Trillium Flow Technologies has extensive experience and a diverse portfolio of engineered pumps and valves tailored for FPSO and FLNG unit operators. We offer innovative, reliable, efficient, and safe solutions.

Oil Review Middle East: What makes your pump solutions unique for offshore applications?

Sam Eccles: Trillium offers flexible, tailored pump solutions through our Gabbioneta Pumps and Termomeccanica Pompe brands, available in numerous configurations and materials like Super Duplex that meet NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 and NORSOK M-650 standards. Our solutions feature skids with Anti-Vibration Mountings (AVMs) and Three-Point Gimbal Mountings to handle ship and deck movements. We use Finite Elements Analysis for design and conduct extensive in-house testing to guarantee reliability. Additionally, our oil and gas pump solutions include a complete vibration monitoring system with a dedicated human-machine interface per API 670 standards to prevent malfunctions and failures.

Oil Review Middle East: Sebastien, can you tell us about Trillium's engineered valve solutions for the offshore environment?

Sebastien Vermeulen, valve product manager: Sure. Through our Sarasin-RSBD brand, we recently designed a robust and efficient block-forged pilot-operated pressure relief valve (POPRV) without tubing to withstand the high pressure (up to 643 barg) on the gas compression units of a customer’s new FPSO platform design. This solution uses technology proven in the nuclear market, ensuring the highest pressure and capacity while maintaining reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. This resulted in a 60% reduction in the total cost of ownership of the valves in question.

Oil Review Middle East: David, what control valve solutions do you offer for the oil and gas market?

David Shaw, control & isolation valves applications manager: Trillium offers for instance tailored choke valve solutions through our Blakeborough brand, leveraging decades of experience and field feedback. Each application, such as production, water injection, gas lift, gas injection, and gas blowdown, is uniquely addressed to ensure optimal performance and minimal maintenance. Our choke valves can meet ASME B16.34 and API6A standards, guaranteed by rigorous in-house testing. Our innovative X-Stream trim solution, used in high-pressure drop services like water injection where sand or contamination is present, is more resistant to blockage than other multistage trims and is available in erosion-resistant solid Tungsten Carbide for extended service life.

Oil Review Middle East: Can you also tell us about the solutions provided by the Red Point brand?

Jizke Van Dura (business development manager): Absolutely. Trillium provides a range of non-commodity and fast-track delivery solutions for offshore applications through our Red Point brand. This includes ball, gate, globe, check, and double block and bleed valves with compact designs for space-saving or the API 6A monogram for wellhead and other applications. For a customer who was looking for a 3-way ball valve to divert an incoming flow of 120m³ evenly between two outlets for one of their FPSO project, Red Point showcased its expertise by proposing a 3-way globe valve instead for a more accurate flow diversion, also designing an adjustable lock on the stem to accommodate for possible changes in flow conditions. The valve was developed via CFD software and underwent physical flow tests to demonstrate its functionality and efficiency.

Oil Review Middle East: That's fascinating. Thank you, Sam, Sebastien, David, and Jizke for sharing how Trillium Flow Technologies is advancing offshore solutions.

The new coating effectively eliminates CUI. (Image source: Sherwin-Williams)

Sherwin-Williams has launched the Heat-Flex Advanced Energy Barrier (AEB) which tackles corrosion under insulation (CUI)

CUI occurs due to moisture present on the external surface of insulated equipment and is prevalent in the onshore and offshore oil and gas industries, constituting a threat to assets, personnel and the environment.

The new coating replaces the bulky mineral-based insulation traditionally used on storage tanks, process vessels and piping to retain process heat. It works by building a thick film of insulative coating material onto assets that are required to maintain operating temperatures up to 350°F (177°C), with excursions to 400°F (204°C). This coating retains process heat inside coated assets, allowing them to continue operating even in extreme environments. It effectively rivals the in-service insulative capabilities of traditional insulation systems due to their tendency to absorb and trap moisture that infiltrates their exterior cladding. This moisture not only dramatically reduces the insulating capacity of the insulation, but also contributes to the acceleration of CUI.

“When developing Heat-Flex AEB, we needed to ensure the coating itself could retain process heat at temperatures high enough to remove traditional insulation and not affect the consistency and flow of materials housed inside assets,” says Erik Dammen-Brower, R&D chemist II for Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine. “Careful manipulation of the coating molecule and product formulation enabled this surprising capability, which has notable ramifications for reducing costs and improving carbon footprints, while enabling efficiencies in various facility applications.”

The thermal insulative coating also offers sustainability benefits. Using just the insulative coating eliminates the manufacturing, shipping and storage of all the materials required for a traditional system. In addition, because Heat-Flex AEB eliminates CUI, steel assets will last far longer before any steel needs to be replaced, if at all, minimising the environmental costs of steel production to maintain an asset. Finally, the consistent thermal efficiency Heat-Flex AEB offers allows asset owners to maintain required operating temperatures without needing to increase process heat inside the coated asset.

In a typical CUI-elimination coating system, a primer is applied directly to prepared steel to protect it from corrosion, with the Heat-Flex AEB insulative coating on top of that and an optional topcoat layer.

Applying Heat-Flex AEB is also much easier, faster and safer to apply than installing bulky insulation systems over assets, the company says.

Electric well control technologies address the limitations of traditional hydraulic systems. (Image source: SLB)

SLB has launched EWC electric well control technologies, which replace hydraulics with a simplified electric power system

The new product was launched at the SPE/IADC International Drilling Conference and Exhibition, taking place in Stavanger, Norway.

Well control technologies play a vital role in preventing the uncontrolled release of fluids from the well, and have traditionally been powered by hydraulic systems, which encompass a complex network of hoses, valves and actuators. This makes the well control system expensive to install and requires costly routine maintenance over its lifetime. EWC electric well control technologies are revolutionizing drilling operations by addressing the limitations of traditional hydraulic systems. EWC technologies significantly reduces costs, make drilling operations safer and providing real-time data insights and a continuous supply of on-demand power to well control components under any operating conditions. Hydraulic accumulators are replaced with with redundant-powered controls and electrically-actuated components, eliminating accumulator pressure constraints. 

SLB’s first EWC technology enables drillers to instantly and precisely control and monitor BOPs onshore and offshore, leveraging industrial internet of things (IIoT) components along the system architecture to provide instant pressure readouts, without the need for conventional pressure gauges. This will help customers make better-informed decisions about the operation and maintenance of the well control system, reducing nonproductive time and minimising opex.

SLB was recently awarded a front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for a custom EWC BOP control system for an operator in the North Sea. Work on this project has already begun and final review of the design is expected in the first half of 2025.

“As drillers continue to seek safer, cost-efficient solutions for well control, we continue to focus on innovation to answer this call,” said Cecilia Prieto, president, Well Construction, SLB. “EWC represents the next evolution of well control technologies, which we pioneered with the industry’s first blow out preventer (BOP) a century ago. Not only do these technologies remove the upfront and long-term cost inefficiencies of traditional hydraulic well control systems, but they also bring next-level safety capabilities that are in line with new industry standards and regulatory requirements worldwide for closing times and full system redundancy.”