UAE-based energy technology company AIQ, a joint venture (JV) between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and AI technology company Presight, has signed an agreement to enter India’s oil and gas sector, marking another step in the ADNOC-backed company’s expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions beyond its home market, Reuters reported.
Under the agreement, AIQ will deploy its technology across the refineries, gas stations, and digital stores of an Indian oil and gas conglomerate, according to AIQ CEO Dennis Jol. However, the customer was not identified.
The agreement gives AIQ access to India’s large and expanding downstream energy market as the company seeks to increase the contribution of international customers to its business.
AIQ began exporting its technology around 12 to 15 months ago and currently operates in North America, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Colombia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Kuwait, Jol said. However, the company still generates most of its revenue from ADNOC, while customers outside its core business account for about 5% of its business.
The company develops AI and machine-learning technologies designed to improve profitability and operational efficiency across the energy value chain.
AIQ’s technology portfolio covers applications including exploration, seismic interpretation, production optimization, remote operations, and data analysis. Its international expansion comes as energy companies increasingly use AI to automate operations and improve decision-making.
AIQ has also partnered with major technology and oilfield services companies, including Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon Web Services (AWS), SLB, and Baker Hughes.
The company is also considering acquisitions as part of its international growth strategy. Jol said AIQ has substantial cash resources available for deployment as it expands into new markets.
India is the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer and is expanding its refining capacity. Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in September 2026 that the country plans to increase refining capacity from about 5.4 million barrels per day (mmbbl/d) to between 6.2 mmbbl/d and 6.4 mmbbl/d through new projects and upgrades. The minister highlighted the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s interest in the Indian refining sector.
