Special Feature

Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a cognitive engine powering the future. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life and industry, its role in shaping the energy sector is becoming strategic and transformative.

AI and energy share a deeply interconnected relationship. Energy powers the infrastructure that enables AI, while AI enhances energy productivity, efficiency, and resilience. With rising global energy demand and the urgency for sustainable production, AI is becoming foundational for future energy systems.

The sector is at a pivotal turning point, where AI is transforming operations and redefining how energy is explored, developed, produced, managed, and consumed across energy value chain from upstream operations to end users.

PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), an upstream flagship of PTT Group in Thailand, plays not just a vital role in ensuring energy security for Thailand but also growing internationally to create sustainable value to stakeholders. Committed to long-term sustainability, PTTEP continues focusing on affordable and cleaner gas by decarbonizing and enhancing resiliency of its operation using Digital as a key enabler for business.

To address complex energy challenges, PTTEP is leveraging data through digital solutions and AI to transform high-impact value chain processes. Its digital transformation strategy is built on four pillars: resilient digital infrastructure, trustworthy data, impactful digital solutions, and people competency within a thriving digital ecosystem.

In line with its forward-thinking approach, PTTEP launched its in-house Enterprise AI Engine – X.brain, which functions as the “Central Intelligence System” of PTTEP’s AI initiatives, including AI agents and digital solutions. These agents are trained by disciplines on PTTEP-specific knowledge and integrated with internal data to perform complex tasks such as analysis, prediction, and strategic recommendations tailored to operational contexts.

By 2025, PTTEP plans to deploy eight specialized AI agents across critical business domains to automate and enhance decision-making. These agents will support operations ranging from subsurface exploration and drilling to production, supply chain management, and corporate functions which empower teams to make faster, smarter decisions.

X.brain is also designed to be embedded into digital solutions, transforming traditional applications into advanced intelligent, adaptive systems capable of thinking, analyzing, and acting based on PTTEP’s internal environment.

A recent standout example is the Drilling Operation Real-Time Analyses (DORA) system. Using machine learning and physics-based simulations, DORA predicts and helps prevent stuck pipe incidents—a major source of non-productive time. With “Balanced Accuracy”, DORA enables proactive adjustments to drill parameters, improving safety, reducing downtime, and saving millions of US dollars annually.

Other AI-powered innovations at PTTEP include:

• Automated log interpretation (LogSight): Uses AI for petrophysics log interpretation, improving consistency and saving interpretation time up from 2 days to 1 hour.
• Advanced Production Excellence (APEX): Maximizes condensate and oil production while maintaining steady gas output under challenging subsurface conditions.
• AI for Inventory Management: Improves material demand forecasting, reducing inventory values and operational expenses.
• AI for Bid Evaluation and Contract Management: Streamlines procurement and contract workflows, enhancing efficiency and compliance.

Looking ahead, AI-driven energy technologies are set to reshape the industry. AI is already transforming exploration and production by enabling faster analysis and more accurate decision-making. PTTEP’s X.brain connects internal knowledge and data to power intelligent workflows. Its multi-agent architecture acts as a team of digital workforces, each specializing in a dedicated domain.

Over the next decade, AI will enable PTTEP to redesign work processes previously considered unattainable—reducing costs, increasing efficiency, improving exploration success, shortening time-to-market, and accelerating decision-making with greater precision. This transformation will also free up employee time for higher-value tasks.

As part of its innovative commitment, PTTEP will showcase its intelligent energy solutions at ADIPEC 2025, with emphasis on X.brain and its intelligent agents. These tools accelerate industry progress by:

• Equipping employees with AI-driven insights and automation
• Enhancing operational agility and resilience
• Supporting sustainability goals through optimized production and reduced emissions
• Delivering measurable results, such as cost savings, improved safety, and better compliance

Achieving real-world impact in the energy transition requires more than technology that demands collaboration. No single entity can drive this transformation alone. Cross-sector partnerships between energy companies, tech providers, and financial institutions are essential. Energy companies bring domain expertise and scale; tech providers contribute cutting-edge AI and infrastructure; financial institutions offer capital and innovative financing to de-risk investments.

By pooling resources and sharing innovation, these partnerships help overcome challenges, accelerate adoption, and deliver on the promise of a smarter, more sustainable energy future.