The Future Oil & Gas 2025 conference, organised by Cavendish Group International, brought together hundreds of energy and technology professionals in Aberdeen, Scotland, on June 25–26 to explore how AI, digitalisation, and automation are transforming upstream oil and gas while accelerating the energy transition responsibly.
Now in its eighth year, the flagship event was held at Ardoe House Hotel and attracted a diverse mix of attendees, including operators, service providers, EPCs, drilling firms, exploration specialists, academics, and technology innovators.
Themed “Encouraging Responsible AI,” the conference focused on leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive operational efficiency, reduce emissions, and future-proof the offshore sector – all while ensuring AI is deployed transparently, ethically, and with workforce trust at its core.
This year’s agenda covered a broad range of topics critical to the future of oil and gas. Key themes included incorporating AI and measuring the risks of digital solutions – from supply chains and real-time analytics to autonomous operations – alongside discussions on cyber security, data quality, and workforce readiness.
Sessions also explored the practical application of technologies such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and large language models, as well as digital twins and open architecture, change management, operator case studies, enabling the energy transition through carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), and tackling the energy trilemma.
Opening the event, Adam Soroka, CEO of Cavendish Group International, emphasised the profound impact AI will have on the workforce:
“It’s clear that managing the impact of AI in the workforce requires organisations to really rethink their workforce compositions, especially in relation to how talent needs to evolve in an AI-driven world where enabling collaboration effectively with these technologies will be paramount.”
Speakers over the two days shared insights on AI’s real-world deployment challenges and opportunities.
Shehzad Rehman, Global Head of IT & Technology at INEOS, emphasised the human side of digital transformation:
“Successful digital transformation starts with understanding who you’re dealing with—their mindset, their culture, and how they respond to change. Without that context, even the best technology won’t land.”
Sofia Silvestre, AI Delivery Manager at Galp, addressed barriers to AI industrialisation in oil and gas – from infrastructure constraints and cybersecurity risks to regulatory compliance and cultural resistance – in her talk “From Pilot to Production.”
Her message was clear:
“There is real hope for the future in using AI. We must not fear the scale of AI if we apply these four pillars in its use and development.”
She also underlined the critical importance of data integrity:
“Clean, reliable data is the foundation of any meaningful digital transformation. Rogue data – data that’s inconsistent, unverified, or out of context – undermines trust and makes it impossible to extract real value.”
Edmary Altamiranda, Controls and Systems Engineering Lead Technology R&D at Aker BP, argued that trust lies at the heart of every barrier to AI adoption:
“Whether it’s fragmentation or fear of displacement, at the heart of it lies a lack of trust. To move forward, we need to engineer trust, just as industries like aviation and aerospace have done. By digitalising and even automating qualification processes, we can raise competence, build confidence, and inspire people to embrace change.”
Graham McHardy, Controls and Systems Engineering Lead Technology R&D at Seeq Corporation, shared practical strategies for building confidence in AI-generated insights:
“AI-generated results have to be tested. Validate half your data and model the rest. Then ask AI for justification. AI can refine itself over time, but continuous validation is key. A gradual, step-by-step introduction builds confidence and ensures the insights are reliable.”
He concluded:
“AI will not replace subject matter experts but can empower them.”
Oddbjorn Larsen, VP Drilling & Well, Head of Planning Center, Field Life Extension at Equinor, discussed the company’s net-zero ambitions and how AI is supporting delivery:
“Our brain loves stories, and it’s stories that drive innovation. We’re setting ambitious goals for 2035 and net zero in 2050, supported by AI. Collaboration over competition is how we’ll achieve valuable and responsible use of AI”
He outlined how Equinor’s Field Life Extension (FLX) Strategy, launched in 2020, has automated repetitive tasks, freeing up engineers’ capacity. AI and large language models are now embedded within operations planning, transforming data retrieval and decision-making.
Shane McArdle, CEO of Kongsberg Digital, highlighted the ongoing challenge of developing intuitive digital solutions:
“Making technology easy to use is hard. It’s about getting value today for frontline workers with the data we already have. A 24-month minimum is needed to see the value of digital implementation – perseverance is vital.”
He also observed:
“The people who use AI in their day-to-day lives are more secure in their jobs.”
While reiterating the sentiment that:
“We must always be considering how we can do our jobs better?”
Juan Pedro Bretti Mandarano, Digital Transformation Global Advisor at Repsol echoed that by acknowledging:
“We have to be humble enough to understand that we aren’t always right – and AI is the same. It’s about achieving what can genuinely be done, not just what we’ve seen on TikTok. Training both the tools and the people who use them is crucial.”
Looking ahead, speakers agreed that unlocking the full value of AI requires clean, reliable data, robust governance frameworks, and a culture of trust and transparency. Workforce upskilling will be critical to ensure employees remain confident and empowered as AI tools continue to evolve.
While AI adoption still faces challenges – and its sceptics – it is set to play a pivotal role in shaping a competitive, safe, and low-carbon offshore sector.
Closing the conference, Adam Soroka summed up its practical focus:
“It was great to bring together real use cases, because that’s what people want to hear at an event – what others have actually done, not just the high-level talk. I think we’ve moved beyond that stage.”