Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are at the heart of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (PETRONAS) sustainability efforts, playing a transformative role in enhancing operational efficiency, reducing emissions and driving resilience in the global energy landscape.
PETRONAS projects, technology and health, safety, security and environment senior vice-president Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof says the national oil and gas company is strategically leveraging smart energy solutions, digitalisation and AI to power its sustainability agenda.
“These technologies are integral components of our strategy to deliver energy responsibly and contribute to a sustainable future,” he explains.
In November 2022, PETRONAS established an AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) to accelerate the development and deployment of AI solutions across its operations through collaboration with global partners.
The first round of collaborations involved Baker Hughes, Boston Consulting Group and Microsoft.
Through the AI CoE, PETRONAS will work with the partners to innovate, develop and potentially commercialise AI solutions by leveraging each other’s technologies, expertise and experience.
In August 2023, PETRONAS and AIQ, an Abu Dhabi-based technology company, entered into a memorandum of understanding to share experiences in building AI solutions that may potentially accelerate the energy transition and drive sustainability across energy operations.
Mohd Yusri: these technologies are integral components of our strategy to deliver energy responsibly and contribute to a sustainable future.
AIQ is a technology pioneer focused on driving the transformation of the industrial sector powered by AI.
As part of the collaboration, the two parties worked to pilot and test AI solutions to discover viable applications and use cases that can create value across multiple business verticals in the energy sector on a global scale.
PETRONAS and AIQ will also develop AI and advanced analytics best practices and frameworks to ensure commercial and operational excellence throughout their joint projects.
One of the standout AI implementations is at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) complex in Bintulu, Sarawak, where AI is being used to boost energy efficiency and reduce emissions.
Beyond AI, PETRONAS is embracing automation and advanced connectivity to further strengthen operational safety and reduce environmental impact.
The use of private 5G networks enables remote autonomous operations – especially critical in offshore environments – minimising the need for on-site personnel, reducing safety risks, and lowering the carbon footprint tied to transport and logistics.
Mohd Yusri shares that this technology reduces the need for personnel to be physically present, thereby minimising safety risks and lowering the carbon footprint associated with transportation and logistics.
Technologies like remote autonomous operations are already in use at PETRONAS’ floating LNG (FLNG1) facility.
“Through these initiatives, PETRONAS is demonstrating its commitment to leveraging technology for safe, sustainable and efficient energy practices,” Mohd Yusri says. Meanwhile, its Alpha LNG platform – a comprehensive enterprise-level digital twin – offers a real-time virtual representation of operations.
This digital innovation supports data-driven decision-making, helping PETRONAS optimise production while balancing efficiency and emissions reduction across its value chain.
But technology alone isn’t enough. PETRONAS understands that partnerships and people will make or break the energy transition.
That’s why it has launched initiatives like the Methane Leadership Programme (MLP) 2.0 and the PETRONAS Supplier Support Programme (PSSP).
These platforms empower South-East Asian peers and over 1,000 Malaysian suppliers to accelerate their own sustainability journeys.
MLP unites energy companies from South-East Asia to strengthen their methane emissions reduction targets and enhance coordination between businesses and governments. It also supports the Global Methane Pledge signed by over 150 countries, including Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the PSSP provides the necessary tools, capability training and access to transition financing for Malaysia’s oil and gas services and equipment suppliers to increase their adoption and disclosure of sustainability practices.
PETRONAS is also signalling a strong commitment to open collaboration, tapping into the larger innovative ecosystem to seek solutions. It has forged a partnership with Energy Institute in line with its efforts to foster impactful innovation ecosystems supporting Asia’s net-zero ambitions.
“We became the first South-East Asia-headquartered company to join the UK-based chartered professional membership body as a technical partner. This partnership leverages shared expertise, resources and passion to drive progress towards a sustainable and resilient energy future,” Mohd Yusri points out.
Recognising the need for human capital, PETRONAS is also cultivating a future-ready workforce. Programmes like BeDigital Bootcamp provide employees with the digital skills required to lead in a low-carbon world.
“We are focusing on reskilling and upskilling our staff with targeted training related to our decarbonisation efforts. We also work closely with partners to ensure there is a strong pipeline of future talents with the technical competencies that will be needed to meet industry demands, in programmes such as the BeDigital Bootcamp,” he says.
Meanwhile, its Innovation Gateway @ PETRONAS (iG@P), an online platform crowdsourcing cutting-edge solutions from innovators from the industry and academia to collaborate with PETRONAS in proposing solutions that drive growth.
“iG@P promotes an open, accessible and transparent process, encouraging participation from brilliant minds outside of PETRONAS. This platform complements PETRONAS’ state-of-the-art technology hubs in key locations in the world, expanding its innovation ecosystems to tackle complex business challenges,” he adds.
Mohd Yusri explains that by integrating AI and automation across its ecosystem, PETRONAS is not only enhancing its operational capabilities, but also fast-tracking its journey toward a lower-carbon, more sustainable energy future.
Essentially, these technologies are vital tools in navigating the complexities of the global energy transition and reinforcing PETRONAS’ role as a responsible energy provider.
