AI In Energy: IPTC Summit In Dubai Explores AI-Driven Industry Dialogue

Dubai will gather international energy and technology leaders on 13–14 January 2026 for the International Petroleum Technology Conference Summit on AI and Digital Solutions for the Energy Industry at the Conrad Hotel, where specialists will examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping upstream activities and the wider energy value chain through data-driven tools, automation, and advanced analytics.

The 2026 summit carries the theme "Transforming Energy Through AI: Innovation, Intelligence, Impact" and is designed as a high-level platform for decision-makers, technical experts, and digital specialists. Discussions will focus on how artificial intelligence supports decarbonisation, boosts efficiency, and improves safety across oil and gas assets, including mature fields in key producing regions.

The two-day programme will feature two keynote sessions and two executive plenary sessions, supported by four executive panel sessions that address strategy and implementation. Delegates will also attend 15 technical sessions, dedicated ePoster sessions, and a technology showcase, giving companies and researchers space to present case studies and deployment results from AI-focused projects across the energy sector.

An awards segment will recognise technological and leadership contributions linked to AI and digital solutions for the energy industry. The IPTC Excellence Awards will highlight achievements in project delivery, sustainability, safety practices, and individual performance, underlining how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are being embedded within global energy companies and research institutions.

The 2026 IPTC Excellence Awards will acknowledge several international initiatives. The Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project by BP will receive the Project Excellence Award, while Ravenna CCS Phase 1 by Eni will be presented with the Sustainability Excellence Award. Individual honours will also highlight technical leadership and early-career contributions within the oil and gas community.

Rahul Patil of the Halliburton Technology Centre will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award for contributions to industry practice. The Young Professional Achievement Award will go to Abdulrahman Alowaid and Hatem Abdullah Bajuaifer of Aramco, Rami Esbai of Bapco Upstream, and Yang Wang of China University of Petroleum (Beijing), reflecting the summit’s emphasis on emerging talent and digital skills.

Organisers of AI and digital solutions in energy summit

IPTC Summit Chair Pinar O. Yilmaz highlighted the event’s structure and role within the region. "IPTC is uniquely organised by four professional societies: the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG); the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE); the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG); and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), serving as the only fully integrated major joint event in the Middle East and Asia. We are a vital hub for geoscientists and engineers, fostering collaboration on integrated technical solutions to address the evolving needs of the energy sector while promoting impactful decarbonisation solutions."

Summit Co-Chair Abdulkarim AlMaazmi, Chief Executive Officer of Dragon Oil, stated that the company’s operational footprint is already applying digital tools. AlMaazmi said "the company has made advanced progress in integrating artificial intelligence solutions and digital technologies across its operations in Turkmenistan, Egypt, and Iraq". These initiatives are aimed at improving planning, reducing downtime, and strengthening long-term asset performance.

AI and digital solutions in energy at Dragon Oil

Al Maazmi explained that Dragon Oil uses AI-driven applications for reservoir management, geological and geophysical interpretation, and performance optimisation across drilling and production activities. These tools are helping to improve operational reliability, reinforce safety standards, and increase value extraction from mature fields, which represent a major part of the company’s international portfolio.

Dragon Oil’s role as Main Sponsor reflects a commitment to knowledge sharing on artificial intelligence and digital solutions for the energy industry, aligned with the sector’s changing requirements. By supporting the summit, the company aligns its own AI deployment strategy with wider regional and global discussions taking place in Dubai in January 2026.

With inputs from WAM