Citing analysis from Rystad Energy, Origo reports that artificial intelligence (AI) and wider digitalization could deliver significant value for the oil and gas industry. The study estimates that companies already investing heavily in these technologies could generate up to $80 billion more in annual value by 2030 compared with 2025 levels.
Where the biggest impacts are expected
Analysts identify three main areas where AI could produce visible results:
- reduced operating costs,
- increased production efficiency,
- shorter development and drilling cycles.
They see the largest untapped potential in subsurface processes: increasing recoverable volumes and lowering drilling costs are central opportunities.
Examples and early results
The technology has already produced measurable savings. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) reported about $500 million of AI-based value creation in 2023 while launching a $1.5 billion digital investment program. Norway’s Equinor achieved roughly $200 million in savings from AI-based solutions between 2021 and 2024, and recorded an additional $130 million result in 2025.
Biggest breakthroughs likely in drilling and recovery
The impact is visible in U.S. shale production, where leading companies have approached physical performance limits; further gains are expected from improving the average well performance rather than pushing peak output. Estimates suggest average improvements of nearly 10 percent for onshore U.S. wells, while deepwater projects could, in extreme cases, see savings exceeding 50 percent.
Investment needs and market size
Significant investment is required: the article states industry players spent an estimated $25 billion last year on digitalization and AI solutions. Rystad’s analysis indicates the global market for these technologies could exceed $35 billion annually by 2030 and approach $50 billion by 2035.
Why this matters now
The report highlights that the energy sector is currently facing geopolitical tensions and rising costs. Events such as conflicts involving Iran and broader global uncertainties increase the value of any efficiency gains, making AI-driven measures both a financial and strategic priority for oil and gas companies.
Further details are provided in the Origo article.
