AI Moves Into Middle East Oilfield Decisions

ADNOC’s $340mn deal with AIQ to deploy ENERGYai shows how operators are using artificial intelligence to analyse decades of oilfield data  

4 Mar 2026

Artificial intelligence is moving into day-to-day operations in Middle East oilfields as producers seek to make faster decisions from large volumes of technical data. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said in March 2025 it had signed a $340mn agreement with regional technology group AIQ to deploy its ENERGYai platform across upstream operations.

The multi-year programme is designed to change how engineers use operational information generated across ADNOC’s fields. The system is trained on decades of company data and uses large language model technology to analyse subsurface conditions, drilling activity and production performance.

Oil and gas operations generate vast amounts of information from wells, sensors, reservoir models and maintenance systems. In many companies, these datasets remain spread across separate platforms, making analysis slow and complex. Engineers often need to review multiple reports and databases before making operational decisions.

AI platforms such as ENERGYai aim to simplify that process. Engineers can query large datasets through a conversational interface and receive analysis in seconds, allowing faster evaluation of field conditions.

The system is designed to flag changes in well performance, highlight operational risks and suggest ways to improve production efficiency. In mature oilfields, even small improvements in recovery rates or equipment performance can produce meaningful financial gains.

ADNOC’s investment reflects a wider shift across the oil and gas industry. Producers are increasingly investing in cloud computing, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to extract value from decades of operational records. Partnerships with technology companies are helping energy groups integrate modern digital tools with older infrastructure.

Industry analysts say AI-driven decision platforms could improve maintenance planning, reduce unplanned shutdowns and support reservoir management. Faster access to operational insights may also allow operators to respond more quickly to changing field conditions.

Integrating new AI systems with legacy infrastructure remains a technical challenge for many producers. But projects such as ENERGYai suggest that data-driven oilfield management is becoming a central part of upstream strategy across the region.