ADNOC Boosts Crude Oil Exports with AI-Powered Production Optimization
ADNOC, the UAE state oil company, has been utilizing AIQ developments to optimize its production processes during the ongoing conflict. According to OilPrice, at the start of the war, UAE oil exports plummeted by two-thirds, from approximately 5.1 million barrels per day in March to 1.9 million barrels per day.
By mid-September, however, ADNOC's crude oil exports had rebounded to 3.236 million barrels per day, surpassing the August figure of 2.886 million and July's 2.871 million. To achieve this increase in production, ADNOC implemented various measures, including expanding its tanker operations, utilizing ship-to-ship transfers in the Gulf of Oman, and transporting oil through the Habshan, Fujairah pipeline.
AIQ's RoboWell system played a crucial role in optimizing well performance. By analyzing real-time data, it automatically optimized the operation of over 500 wells, leading to a 5% increase in production and a reduction of up to 50% in well interventions.
The company has also been utilizing another AIQ system, Neuron 5, which processes pressure, temperature, and vibration readings from compressors, valves, generators, and other equipment. This system has shown promising results in predicting maintenance needs, with pilot use at the Northeast Bab field and Taweelah gas compression facility demonstrating a potential reduction of unplanned shutdowns by 50% and an extension of scheduled maintenance intervals by 20%.
By the end of 2024, Neuron 5 was operating on over 1,200 pieces of critical equipment. ADNOC aims to complete its full deployment by 2027. Moreover, more than 30 AI applications generated $500 million in additional value for the company in 2023 by reducing capital, operating, and working-capital costs while increasing production.
In March 2025, ADNOC signed a three-year, $340 million contract with AIQ to deploy the ENERGYai platform in its production operations. This system is expected to cover over 28 producing fields and thousands of wells. During a trial at two fields, an AI agent performed seismic data interpretation 10 times faster than conventional workflows, while another produced reservoir pressure forecasts in 15 minutes.
AIQ is also testing technologies in several countries, including Kuwait, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Egypt. The company considers the United States, Canada, and the North Sea as target markets for international expansion and is exploring acquisitions to achieve this goal.