Kongsberg Digital has announced a strategic partnership with Oman’s national oil company, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), to provide an enterprise digital twin enabled with artificial intelligence (AI).
The deal includes the deployment of Kongsberg’s industrial software, Kognitwin, which aims to enhance operational safety, boost production efficiency, and lower costs. The system integrates and contextualizes both operational and enterprise data to support workflows across operations and maintenance. The companies said in a joint release that the goal is to begin deploying the digital twin technologies this year.
“Collaboration and co-innovation are at the heart of this agreement,” said Shane McArdle, Kongsberg Digital CEO, in a statement. “PDO is leading the way in shaping the future of work by investing in industrial intelligence that directly addresses their operational priorities. We are very excited to work with a partner who shares our vision and speed, matching our ambitions to be the platform for rewiring how work is performed across this industry.”
Kongsberg Digital said the contract underscores its growing presence in the Middle East, where it already works with several major oil and gas operators. Its global client base also includes Chevron and Shell. In 2023, the company signed a 5-year agreement with Shell to expand the use of its digital twin technology.
“The need for safer operations, higher production, and competitive cost structures is stronger than ever in the current energy market,” said Ahmed Al Abri, the lead of PDO’s AI and digital transformation task force, in the announcement. “Through our partnership with Kongsberg Digital, we are confident in our ability to meet these challenges while embracing new ways of working powered by AI and industrial intelligence.”