PETRONAS Pushes AI From Pilot to Powerhouse

At ADIPEC 2025, PETRONAS deepens its AI alliances to drive faster, smarter upstream decisions

24 Feb 2026

Artificial intelligence is moving from pilot projects to core strategy in the upstream oil and gas sector. On Nov. 4 at ADIPEC 2025, PETRONAS Carigali formalized an expanded partnership with Beicip Franlab and AFED Digital, underscoring its intent to embed advanced analytics more deeply into exploration and production activities.

The agreement builds on the TriCipta AI initiative launched under a joint development agreement in June 2025. What began as a targeted collaboration has broadened into an effort to integrate artificial intelligence into prospect evaluation, field development planning and reservoir management across the company’s portfolio. According to company statements, the goal is to strengthen technical decision-making by placing data-driven tools closer to day-to-day operations.

The expansion comes as upstream operators contend with tighter margins, more complex geology and rapidly expanding volumes of subsurface and operational data. In that environment, speed and precision in evaluating prospects or optimizing production can shape project economics. The alliance is intended to help technical teams interpret seismic and reservoir data more quickly, refine resource estimates and compare development scenarios with greater clarity.

By combining Beicip Franlab’s reservoir engineering expertise with AFED Digital’s technology capabilities, the partnership aims to create workflows that support engineers and geoscientists in real time. PETRONAS Carigali has emphasized that the technology is meant to augment, rather than replace, human expertise. The focus, company officials suggested, is on reinforcing technical rigor while expanding analytical capacity.

Still, scaling artificial intelligence across complex asset portfolios presents challenges. Data governance, system integration, regulatory considerations and workforce readiness can complicate implementation. Success will depend on training and sustained oversight, as well as confidence in the underlying data.

Yet the broader direction appears clear. As operators seek shorter project cycles and more disciplined capital allocation, integrated digital frameworks are becoming central to competitiveness. How effectively companies translate such partnerships into measurable performance gains could shape upstream strategy in the years ahead.