Oil and gas organizations are no longer merely utilizing IoT to track their devices but have started integrating connectivity, edge computing, and artificial intelligence to empower machines to make decisions on their own without human assistance.

Connectivity Builds the Digital Oilfield

At the Oil & Gas Automation and Digitalisation Congress of 2025, connectivity emerged as the starting point of digitalization in industry. According to Giovanni Auciello of SES, digitalization can lead to 25% decrease in cost of a barrel of oil equivalent and generation of $250 billion in value upstream by 2030.

SES provides connectivity for the remotest locations using a multi-orbit satellite network consisting of the medium- and low-Earth-orbit networks. Connectivity enables drill optimization, predictive maintenance and environmental monitoring.

The additional benefit of edge computing consists in processing the generated information close to its source. According to Karan Bhatia of SLB, edge AI technology allowed to increase production at double digits with the help of an Edge AI platform. The problem of unreliable connectivity, cybersecurity issues, lack of local IT expertise and difficulties with management of many edge devices arise.

Real-time monitoring was also implemented by L&T Technology Services in more than 70 petrochemical plants.

Systems Are Beginning to Act

The next phase is automation. JGC Corporation showcased a system capable of performing complex operating procedures that were traditionally executed manually. The system automated the process of cooling the Main Cryogenic Heat Exchanger of the LNG plant and assisted in successful startup. Moreover, more than 1,000 startup and shutdown procedures have been automated at a power plant that utilizes carbon capture technology.

As Brad Derada from Worley Consulting put it, the transition of existing plants to unmanned operation is not only about the technological side; new practices of operations and maintenance might prove challenging, and additional sensors bring additional equipment for maintenance.

Another example is ADNOC. According to reports, its Neuron 5 platform has already reduced the number of unplanned shutdowns by 50%, and autonomous well control technologies can take actions instead of just suggesting them.

Safety and Security Become Part of Autonomy

IoT applications include automated safety checks as well. DEKI’s AI camera system is able to analyze CCTV video streams on site to make sure that the drivers have protective gear on when refueling with LNG. The system works even in case of internet disconnections and employs face pixelation to ensure privacy.

However, three main obstacles prevent this path toward automation. They consist of developing confidence in automated decisions, ensuring reliable internet connection, and protecting the increasingly connected systems from cyberattacks.

These obstacles will be covered at AUTOMA 2026 in Amsterdam on October 5-6. Operators and suppliers will discuss autonomous IoT, smart operations, safety wearable tech, autonomous maintenance, and industrial cybersecurity.