How to Make AI Implementation Work for Oil Gas and Chemicals
Krishnan Sankaranarayanan Director, Digital Transformation, SABIC
Krishnan Sankaranarayanan, Director of Digital Transformation at SABIC, set out why so many artificial intelligence programmes stall in oil, gas and chemicals. Drawing on studies that show most generative AI pilots fail to deliver value, he compared the current moment to the early days of electrification, when factories became less efficient before workflows and skills were redesigned.
He then translated this into the language of petrochemical value drivers, linking AI directly to reserves, production, cost leadership and differentiation. Rather than scattershot experimentation, he argued for targeting the lines in the income statement that matter most, with procurement highlighted as a powerful starting point where even a small improvement can unlock significant returns.
Finally, Sankaranarayanan outlined a digital strategy in which AI is anchored in corporate objectives, supported by clear governance, data foundations and an operating model that joins business, IT and change management. His core message was that successful AI is not a side project but a strategic enabler that must be aligned with how the company competes and grows.
