In April 2025, Weatherford International and AIQ signed a memorandum of understanding to deeply embed an artificial intelligence (AI) – driven system into the global oil and gas operation process, promoting a transformation in the production mode. In March, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed a landmark $340 million contract with AI company AIQ to deploy ENERGYai and related AI solutions in its upstream value chain. These arrangements indicate that international energy companies are collectively shifting to a new development paradigm with AI as the underlying logic, and generative AI is evolving from an auxiliary tool to the core driving force for industrial transformation.
The application of AI in the oil and gas industry is mainly driven by the need to improve efficiency and reduce costs. In core areas such as production, operation, and investment, AI is helping companies optimize costs and achieve efficiency breakthroughs. ExxonMobil expects that its AI – driven cloud – based oilfield project developed in cooperation with Microsoft will bring billions of dollars in net cash flow to the company between 2019 and 2029. Saudi Aramco has also been continuously increasing its investment in technological upgrades, spending more than $3.5 billion annually on the research and development of cutting – edge technologies such as AI and drones, focusing on oil and gas production increase, intelligent equipment maintenance, and risk early – warning.
AI also plays an important role in decision – making support, knowledge management, safety management, and carbon emission reduction. Shell uses large – language models as “research assistants” to extract scientific research results accumulated within the company over the decades. TotalEnergies uses computer vision and large – language model analysis to conduct intelligent monitoring of construction sites and real – time review of safety processes, effectively improving accident prevention capabilities.
According to a survey by EY, more than 92% of global oil and gas companies are investing or planning to invest in AI in the next two years. Market research firm Future Market Insights predicts that by 2034, the commercial value of AI in the global oil and gas market will reach $13 billion, indicating great growth potential and industry confidence.