Overview
Amid a rapidly evolving energy landscape, the Gulf Downstream Association’s International Downstream Conference stood as a leading platform for energy and petrochemical professionals to explore the future of the downstream sector. It brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, and covered critical themes such as refining, petrochemicals, sustainability, and digital transformation.
The conference fostered knowledge exchange on emerging technologies, operational excellence, and pathways to decarbonization, while also addressing market challenges and opportunities.
Session
October 1, 3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. AST
AI In Refineries — Accelerating Digital Transformation
As the downstream sector embraces Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and automation are redefining how refineries operations, unlocking new efficiency, safety, and sustainability levels. Jad Moussalli, partner with Oliver Wyman’s Energy and Natural Resources Practice, will moderate a conversation on how digital transformation moves beyond pilot projects to full-scale deployment. This enables real-time decision-making, proactive maintenance, and emissions optimization.
The session covered:
- How AI and predictive analytics transform core refinery operations such as process optimization, maintenance, and safety.
- The technical, cultural, or organizational barriers that must be overcome to scale AI deployment across the refinery.
- How refiners can integrate digital twins and real-time analytics to enhance decision-making and operational agility.
- The ways in which AI supports emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and broader environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals in downstream operations.
Moderator: Jad Moussalli, partner, Energy and Natural Resources Practice, Oliver Wyman
Speakers: Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, CEO, Artificial Intelligence Global Co.; Norm Gilsdorf, CEO, Plant Digital; Kurt Barrow, SVP, global head of oil, fuels and chemical solutions, S&P Global Commodity Insights; Abdullah Omar Al Ameri, vice president asset development, ADNOC
