The rate of adoption of digital technologies is accelerating in oil, gas, and chemical processing, says Benedicta Chettiar.
Process industries are undergoing a rapid evolution. Digital transformation – anchored by AI, IIoT, and integrated operations – is boosting efficiency and safety. Sustainability is also driving innovation through CCUS and green chemistry, while strategic pivots into LNG and digital infrastructure signal long‑term shifts in industry structure. Meanwhile, taming the talent shortage through tech‑driven training and reskilling remains a top priority for executives. So what exactly are the recent trends in process industries like oil, gas, and chemicals, grounded in the latest developments through mid‑2025? Presented in the following paragraphs is a brief overview.
1. AI, machine learning & prescriptive analytics
Artificial intelligence is now deeply embedded across oil, gas, and chemical operations. In upstream oil and gas, companies such as BP, Chevron, and Devon Energy are using AI to optimise drilling, reduce downtime, and extend well lifetimes by up to 25%.
AI adoption is spreading: roughly 47 % of industry professionals plan to add AI to their operations, with widespread use in safety monitoring, predictive maintenance, and inspection via computer vision tools
2. IIoT, remote monitoring, and integrated operations
Industrial IoT (IIoT) technologies are enabling real‑time monitoring of pipelines, drilling rigs, compressors, and refineries. Sensors track equipment health, environmental conditions, and emissions—supporting predictive maintenance and improving safety
Integrated Operations (IO) frameworks are also becoming mainstream, allowing centralised control rooms to manage offshore facilities remotely, reducing offshore staffing and enabling onshore experts to support multiple platforms
3. Digital twins, blockchain & augmented reality
Digital twins are being deployed by major chemical companies (e.g., Perstorp) and oil producers to model assets, optimise operations, and forecast performance.
These virtual replicas are increasingly paired with blockchain to ensure data integrity, enhance traceability across the supply chain, and power smart contracts – especially in trading, shipments, and royalty compliance (seen in platforms like VAKT used by Shell, BP, and Aramco).
AR and VR are also being deployed for immersive training and guided field maintenance—companies like ExxonMobil and Aramco use simulation tools to upskill employees without exposing them to offshore risk.
4. Sustainability, CCUS, bio‑based chemicals & circularity
Sustainability is embedded as a core objective. In chemicals, firms are investing in bio‑based feedstocks, biodegradable plastics, and recycling tech like depolymerisation to drive circularity.
Meanwhile, oil and gas operators are scaling CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation, and storage) projects, with major operations in the US, Canada, and UAE aiming to capture millions of tons of CO₂ and use it for enhanced oil recovery or fuel synthesis.
5. Energy transition and corporate strategy shifts
Energy firms are pivoting toward LNG and AI-related infrastructure. Notably, Baker Hughes is acquiring Chart Industries for $13.6 billion to target the growing LNG sector and the energy needed for AI data centres.
This shift reflects a broader trend of diversifying beyond traditional oilfield services into lower‑carbon energy and gas technologies.
Apart from these leading trends, there is also the fact that the workforce is aging, with large numbers nearing retirement. At the same time, there’s a pressing skills gap as companies struggle to attract digital‑native workers.
These trends outlined above reflect an industry not only adapting to economic pressures, but reinventing itself for a lower‑carbon and data‑intensive future.
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Benedicta Chettiar is Editorial & Marketing Director at IED Communications and Manager, Strategic Developments, Industrial Automation. Besides these roles, Beni, as she is known, is also actively managing the affairs of Jyothi Process, a state-of-the-art printing press.
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