AIQ, a subsidiary of Presight, has secured a $340 million contract from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to deploy its ENERGYai platform and associated artificial intelligence solutions across ADNOC’s upstream operations. This three-year agreement marks a significant advancement in integrating AI within the energy sector, aiming to enhance efficiency and operational performance.
The contract follows the successful completion of a proof-of-concept phase, during which ENERGYai demonstrated its potential to revolutionise various aspects of ADNOC’s upstream processes. By leveraging over 70 years of proprietary data, the platform integrates a 70-billion-parameter large language model with agentic AI capabilities tailored to specific workflows within the energy industry. This integration allows for a more intuitive interaction between engineers and data, transforming tasks such as seismic analysis, geological modelling, and real-time process monitoring. Notably, processes that traditionally took months can now be completed in days, leading to substantial cost reductions and emission minimisation.
Musabbeh Al Kaabi, ADNOC’s Upstream CEO, emphasised the company’s commitment to AI integration, stating that ADNOC aims to become the world’s most AI-enabled energy company. He highlighted that the deployment of ENERGYai is a strategic move to drive efficiency and value creation across their operations, reinforcing ADNOC’s position as a responsible and reliable energy supplier to global markets.
The implementation of ENERGYai is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, with the initial operational version encompassing five fully functional AI agents covering tasks within subsurface operations. These agents will be test-deployed across several upstream assets, with plans to extend their application to thousands of additional wells. This phased rollout underscores ADNOC’s dedication to harnessing advanced technologies to optimise resource management and operational efficiency.
AIQ’s Acting Managing Director, Magzhan Kenesbai, described the contract as a defining moment for the company. He noted that, in partnership with ADNOC, AIQ has developed a world-first agentic AI solution that is scalable across the entire energy value chain, with the potential to transform the industry fundamentally. This collaboration exemplifies the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for AI innovation, driving homegrown solutions that address complex challenges in the energy sector and beyond.
The deployment of ENERGYai is part of ADNOC’s broader strategy to integrate AI and digital technologies across its operations. The company has already implemented over 30 AI tools, enhancing safety, reducing emissions, optimising efficiency, and maximising value. One notable example is the Advanced Reservoir 360 solution, developed by AIQ in collaboration with SLB, which uses AI and machine learning technologies to improve reservoir management and optimise field development planning. AR360 has been successfully deployed across more than 30 reservoirs in ADNOC’s upstream operations, demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI integration.
The UAE’s commitment to AI extends beyond the energy sector. The nation has been investing heavily in artificial intelligence as part of its strategy to diversify the economy and position itself as a global technology leader. This includes collaborations with major technology companies and substantial investments in AI infrastructure. The partnership between ADNOC and AIQ aligns with this national vision, showcasing how AI can be leveraged to drive efficiency and sustainability in traditional industries.
The integration of AI in the energy sector is also expected to have broader implications. As global energy demand continues to rise, the ability to optimise operations and reduce emissions becomes increasingly critical. By adopting advanced AI solutions like ENERGYai, energy companies can enhance productivity, make more informed decisions, and contribute to global sustainability goals. The success of ADNOC and AIQ’s collaboration could serve as a model for other energy companies seeking to integrate AI into their operations.
The deployment of agentic AI solutions represents a significant technological advancement. Unlike traditional AI systems that require human intervention for decision-making, agentic AI can operate autonomously within defined parameters, making decisions and taking actions without direct human input. This capability is particularly valuable in complex and data-intensive industries like energy, where rapid decision-making can lead to improved efficiency and safety.
The successful implementation of ENERGYai also highlights the importance of data in modern industries. By effectively utilising decades of proprietary data, ADNOC can unlock new insights and opportunities, driving continuous improvement in its operations. This data-driven approach is becoming increasingly essential in the digital age, where the ability to analyse and act upon vast amounts of information can provide a competitive advantage.
In addition to operational benefits, the adoption of AI technologies like ENERGYai can have positive environmental impacts. By optimising processes and reducing inefficiencies, these technologies can lead to lower emissions and more sustainable resource utilisation. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and transition towards more sustainable energy systems.
The collaboration between ADNOC and AIQ also underscores the value of partnerships in driving innovation. By combining ADNOC’s industry expertise with AIQ’s technological capabilities, the two companies have developed a solution that addresses specific industry challenges and sets a new standard for AI integration in the energy sector. Such partnerships are likely to become more common as industries seek to navigate the complexities of digital transformation.
