ADNOC inks multi‑year AI pact with OpenAI and G42
ADNOC becomes the first energy firm to adopt OpenAI’s Frontier platform under a new multi‑year deal.
Deal signed in Abu Dhabi
During a visit to the UAE by OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, Abu Dhabi’s state oil company ADNOC announced a multi‑year agreement with OpenAI and G42. The signing ceremony on November 2, 2026 was witnessed by Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and other signatories.
First energy firm on OpenAI Frontier
ADNOC will be the inaugural energy company to deploy OpenAI Frontier, a platform launched in February that lets businesses build and manage AI agents. The parties did not disclose the contract’s monetary value or the timeline for rollout.
Scope of the partnership
Under the deal, OpenAI’s models will be merged with ADNOC’s industrial data to create AI systems for various business units. These systems will operate on computing infrastructure supplied by G42 in the UAE, and G42 is also constructing OpenAI’s Stargate data centre in the country.
The first AI application will target planning of oil and gas field development, with the aim of generating a full development plan in hours—a task that now takes months. Human experts will continue to oversee major decisions.
Future phases intend to link different stages of ADNOC’s operations—from production and refining to sales and trading—so that AI agents can analyse supply, demand, prices and profit margins before crude is extracted, informing decisions across the value chain.
Additional components
The agreement also covers cybersecurity work through OpenAI’s Daybreak Blue programme and provides training for ADNOC staff. It forms part of OpenAI’s broader push into enterprise AI, following several partnerships with major consulting firms earlier this year.
Company statements
Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said, “The next frontier of AI is not simply doing things faster. It is making possible what was previously beyond reach. Through this landmark partnership with OpenAI and G42, ADNOC is taking a major step towards connecting intelligence across our entire business.”
OpenAI’s spokesperson added, “More capable AI can help us tackle some of the world’s hardest problems – particularly around energy. By combining frontier AI, sovereign infrastructure and industry expertise, this first‑of‑its‑kind partnership will help ADNOC move faster, operate more efficiently and make better decisions across the energy value chain.”
ADNOC’s existing AI footprint
ADNOC has already deployed ChatGPT Enterprise to more than 40,000 employees and reports having over 200 AI applications and 70 robotics projects in use or development.
Context at ADIPEC
The announcement came at ADIPEC, the UAE’s largest oil and gas conference, which this year is unfolding amid industry tension. Reuters recently reported that ExxonMobil and Chevron cancelled executive trips to the event over safety concerns, and fears of further US strikes on Iran have unsettled oil markets.
