Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) says it has embarked on a project with UAE operator group Etisalat by e& to build what it claims is the energy sector’s largest ever private 5G network, spanning 11,000 square kilometres.
According to a statement from ADNOC on Wednesday, the private 5G network will cover its onshore and offshore operations, providing (among other things) IoT connectivity for sensors embedded in more than 12,000 wells and pipelines.
The 5G-connected sensors will relay data to autonomous control rooms, which will be equipped with AI to crunch the data and make real-time recommendations to increase the lifespan of ADNOC’s field assets and ensure safety in the field.
ADNOC added that the network will also allow for the digitalization of wellheads and provide end-to-end visibility over operations, thereby driving productivity across the company’s entire value chain.
ADNOC also said the private 5G network ties into its broader strategy to integrate AI solutions at its most remote facilities to reduce costs through automation, as well as improve efficiency, minimize emissions and enhance workplace safety, and generally fulfil ADNOC’s ambition to become “the world’s most AI-enabled energy company.”
“Global demand is rising for both energy and AI, so by investing in cutting-edge connectivity across our operations, we can ensure that we continue providing secure, reliable and responsible energy to our customers,” said Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, who is both the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC’s MD and group CEO.
The project is due to be completed in 2025, and is expected to generate AED5.5 billion (US$1.5 billion) in value during its first five years of operation, ADNOC said.
