The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-powered optimisation platform (AiPSO) and signed three robotics collaboration agreements, marking a significant leap in the UAE’s pursuit of energy efficiency, digital transformation, and operational excellence.
For those asking what is Adnoc, it is the state-owned energy company of the United Arab Emirates, founded in 1971. Adnoc manages the nation’s oil and gas resources through a network of specialised subsidiaries — including Adnoc Offshore, which oversees offshore oil and gas operations — making it one of the world’s most influential players in the global energy sector.
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Revolutionising Energy Operations with AI
Developed in partnership with Schlumberger (SLB), the new AiPSO platform leverages advanced artificial intelligence to continuously monitor and optimise production across Adnoc’s upstream network, spanning wells, pipelines, and processing facilities.
By analysing billions of data points in real time, AiPSO enhances recovery rates, predicts maintenance requirements, and identifies anomalies before they impact operations. The platform applies across both onshore and Adnoc Offshore assets, reinforcing the company’s commitment to digital precision and proactive maintenance.
The initial phase of AiPSO will roll out across eight exploration and production sites, with full implementation across Adnoc’s value chain expected by 2026.
Diagnosing in Minutes — Not Hours
Traditionally, identifying operational inefficiencies could take hours or even days. With AiPSO’s intelligent diagnostics, these insights now surface in minutes, reducing downtime and enhancing safety.
This initiative reflects Adnoc’s broader mission to integrate AI and automation into its operations — supporting the UAE’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and aligning with its COP28 climate commitments to deliver more sustainable, data-driven energy solutions.
Three Robotics Deals Strengthen Digital Transformation
Complementing the AI platform, Adnoc signed three new robotics agreements to accelerate automation and intelligent inspection within its facilities:
- Gecko Robotics: To deploy robotic inspection and predictive maintenance tools for vital infrastructure.
- ANYbotics: To integrate autonomous robots that operate safely in high-risk environments, improving worker safety and operational efficiency.
- AIQ (Adnoc’s AI joint venture): To expand AI analytics, workforce training, and digital competency development across the energy value chain.
These collaborations will enable AI-powered maintenance and safety systems, positioning Adnoc as a frontrunner in smart industrial transformation.
Strategic Significance
For legal, compliance, and industry professionals, Adnoc’s latest technological leap highlights critical business and regulatory implications:
AI in Core Operations: AiPSO’s formal adoption establishes a compliant framework for AI-managed production optimisation within the UAE’s energy industry.
Data Governance: Companies working with Adnoc must maintain strict adherence to UAE data protection and AI governance policies.
Workforce Reskilling: Robotics integration is accelerating demand for AI literacy, automation expertise, and regulatory adaptation in the energy workforce.
Sustainability Impact: By boosting efficiency and reducing emissions, these projects reinforce Adnoc’s ESG and decarbonisation goals.
Key Takeaway
Adnoc’s launch of the AiPSO platform and its three robotics partnerships underscores the company’s evolution into a tech-driven energy leader.
By merging AI intelligence, robotics, and sustainability, Adnoc — through divisions such as Adnoc Offshore — is redefining what it means to operate efficiently in the modern energy landscape.
These initiatives not only strengthen Abu Dhabi’s global energy leadership but also embody what is Adnoc’s enduring vision: to power progress through innovation, responsibility, and long-term sustainability.
