Navigating the Nexus – Where Energy Meets AI and Sustainability
An event highlighting the vital role artificial intelligence (AI) is playing in driving innovation within the energy sector, particularly in advancing sustainability initiatives, was hosted Feb. 4 and 5 by Aramco and organized by the Society of Petroleum Engineers at the Grand Hyatt in Al Khobar.
The SPE AI Symposium: Navigating the Nexus — Where Energy Meets AI and Sustainability, chaired by Seba S. Al Maghlouth, supervisor of the Innovation and Digitalization Unit in the Safaniyah Reservoir Management Department, examined AI’s revolutionary power to optimize resource management, enhance energy efficiency, and play a part in reducing the environmental footprint.
The conference brought together industry and government leaders, innovators, and experts from 17 countries, with 675 registered attendees representing 73 companies. Abdul Hameed A. Al Dughaither, Aramco’s executive vice president of EXPEC and Drilling, led a sizable delegation of our senior management at the event.
AI will ‘transform the way we operate’
Waleed A. Al Mulhim, senior vice president of Petroleum Engineering and Development, spoke about the significant impact AI is already having on the energy sector.
“Digital transformation has long been a cornerstone of the energy industry. For decades at Aramco, we’ve always championed a culture of innovation to meet the world’s energy demands.”
“Now, AI is poised to drive even more groundbreaking developments, tackle complex challenges, and transform the way we operate and make decisions,” he added. “Across the Upstream value chain, we are integrating AI across our operations to optimize production, improve asset reliability, and enhance safety — unlocking new potential and driving measurable results.”
‘Imperative to innovate’
One of the reasons that Aramco is already well-placed to “unlock the transmitted power of AI” is the focus that we have placed on building a future-ready infrastructure such as the advanced data centers, said Sami A. Ajmi, senior vice president of Digital and Information Technology (A).
Ajmi said that infrastructure and connectivity, including a robust fiber network and satellite technology, are key to Aramco “building not just a foundation but a digital highway for AI to thrive, transforming our operations and enabling innovation at an unprecedented scale.
“At Aramco, we leverage AI to think about innovation in the energy sector and find a pathway to improve the sustainability of our operations. The urgency of our mission is clear. As global energy demand rises, so does the imperative to innovate.”
“Aramco values AI not just as a tool but as a paradigm shift, a catalyst that can improve efficiency, enhance sustainability, and potentially unlock opportunities for innovation.”
The SPE AI Symposium
Several panel sessions on AI, energy, and sustainability were held, as well as technical sessions on topics such as Generative AI and Big Data Analytics.
Participating Aramco management included Ashraf M. Al Tahini, vice president of Upstream Digital Center; Omar Y. Al Thukair, vice president and chief digital officer (A); Ghaithan A. Al Muntasheri, director of EXPEC Advanced Research Center; and Umar A. Al Nahdi, director of the Petroleum Engineering Applications Services Department.
One of the main attractions at the event, led by Halah A. Alasmri, was an exhibition where organizations showcased groundbreaking innovations. Aramco’s booth displayed advanced technology solutions already being utilized, including an interactive display on the Intelligent Near Surface Platform.
There was also a virtual reality display on RockLAB, which is designed to simplify the interpretation of complex subsurface geological data. By integrating AI and mixed-reality technologies, a headset is used to overlay geological data onto physical core samples, allowing the user to transition between mixed-reality and real-world views.
Another feature of the symposium was the AI hackathon organized by SPE-KSA and Amazon Web Services, which offered industry professionals, academics, and enthusiasts the chance to collaborate on complex challenges in the sector. They were encouraged to develop AI-focused solutions to industry problems, share knowledge, and facilitate the exchange of ideas, techniques and best practices.