By: Oil & gas Middle east

With the 2026 Oil & Gas Middle East Awards just around the corner, here is a look at this year’s shortlist across over 20 categories, spotlighting the companies, initiatives, and individuals driving progress in the energy sector.

From cutting-edge AI applications to transformative sustainability efforts, this year’s awards set the stage for an evening of recognition and celebration. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the industry’s biggest night! 

EPC Contractor of the Year

Rewards excellence in engineering, procurement, and construction project delivery. Winners complete projects on time, within budget, and to the highest safety standards while demonstrating collaboration, innovation, and strong client partnerships.

• Nesma & Partners
• ADNOC Logistics & Services
• Technip Energies
• NMDC Energy
• Wood

Service Partner of the Year

Honours companies that provide exceptional support services, including logistics, maintenance, or technical solutions. Winners exceed client expectations, strengthen industry operations, and drive innovation through reliable, high-quality service.

• IEC Telecom
• Global Logistics Services Co. LLC
• Prism Logistics
• Wood
• SKM Air Conditioning LLC
• IGS
• ATPI Energy
• Nabors

Sustainability Pioneer Award

Recognises companies or projects advancing cleaner, more sustainable oil and gas operations. Winners implement innovative practices or technologies that reduce environmental impact, from upstream exploration to downstream refining and distribution, setting new benchmarks for sustainability.

• Nanotech Oil Solutions LLC – BioMaxx (Environmental Downstream Remediation)
• Seawater Technologies LLC – Developing Unconventionals Across the Middle East
• ADNOC Offshore – Well Structure Management and Risk Prevention
• ADNOC Offshore – Revolutionising Offshore Well Abandonment
• IK Trax – Nonintrusive Pig Signaller Technologies

Workforce Empowerment Award

Celebrates programmes that develop talent, promote nationalisation, and foster career growth. Winners strengthen the industry by building a skilled, diverse workforce and creating opportunities for long-term professional development.

• ITQAN Institute – Inspection and Qualification Services
• Wood – Saudi Arabian office
• Kuwait Oil Company – Bunker Fuel Pipeline Operation and Maintenance
• ADNOC Offshore – ITQAN- ADNOC Offshore Future Ready National Talent Accelerator
• Wood Al Majal – Basra Technical Training Centre

Shutdown & Turnaround Excellence Award

Recognises exceptional planning and execution of shutdowns and turnarounds in oil and gas facilities. Winners minimise downtime, enhance safety, and optimise efficiency, setting new standards for operational effectiveness.

• Borouge – B3 TA 2025 Excellence
• ADNOC Onshore – Resilience and Excellence in Shutdown Management
• ADNOC Gas – Ruwais Train 3 Turnaround
• Prism Logistics – Multimodal Heavy Transport Project for the Oil & Gas Sector
• ACC Cement – ACC cement Wadi project
• UseTech – Vibromonitoring Balancing Technology
• Al Yasat Petroleum – Put on Production (POP) Wells Within One Day
• ADNOC Sour Gas – Turnarounds, Maintenance Execution and Shutdown Management

Energy Transition Project of the Year

Honours bold projects that accelerate decarbonisation. Initiatives may include renewable energy integration, carbon capture, or low-carbon solutions. Winners drive meaningful progress toward net-zero operations.

• ADNOC Group – Valve Design to Achieve Zero Fugitive Emissions in Upstream Facilities
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited – Debottlenecking and Augmentation
• Prism Logistics – Multimodal Heavy Transport of Super Over Dimensional Cargoes
• Sharjah National Oil Corporation- Sana Solar PV Plant
• ADNOC Offshore – Well Integrity for a Net-Zero Future
• ADNOC Gas – CO₂ Recovery & Injection (CRI)
• Alfa Laval Middle East Ltd. – Supporting a large-scale brownfield optimisation program
• ADNOC Onshore – Shah Oil Field Emissions Reduction Journey

Energy Innovator of the Year

Rewards companies or projects delivering breakthrough technologies or processes that solve critical challenges in exploration, production, or operations. Winners redefine industry standards through innovation.

• AIQ – ENERGYai agentic AI platform and related solutions
• ADNOC Drilling – Targeted, technology-led innovations
• Neo Oiltools – Neotork Downhole Torque and Vibration Management Technology
• Nybl – Science-based AI solutions
• ADNOC Sour Gas – SRU Energy Optimisation
• Alfa Laval – Sonihull
• Lufkin Industries – Well Manager™ 2.0 with NOVAWAVE™ Advanced Wave Equation Technology
• ADNOC Group – Neuron 5

Digital Transformer of the Year

Celebrates initiatives that use data analytics, automation, IoT, or digital tools to unlock operational excellence. Winners improve efficiency, reduce costs, and transform business performance through digital solutions.

• ADNOC Gas – Enterprise-scale, Digital and AI transformation
• ADNOC Drilling – Targeted, technology-led innovations
• Borouge – Energy Transformation through accelerated delivery of digitalisation tools
• Saudi Aramco – Smart PIG ILI
• Nabors and Halliburton – Integration of Nabors SmartROS® technology +
• LOGIX™ automation and remote operations solutions
• ADNOC Offshore – Offshore Construction Barge Performance Management
• Wood – Wood Middle East Digital and AI Hub
• AIQ – AR360 project and its ENERGYai platform as flagship digitalisation initiatives
• CorrosionRADAR – LR CUI Risk Monitoring Solution
• DeXentra – OilXcoin

Decarbonisation Strategy Award

Honours companies with clear, actionable strategies to achieve net-zero operations. Winners outline practical steps for emissions reduction, sustainable growth, and long-term low-carbon impact.

• SKM – Decarbonisation-enabling cooling partner
• Wood – Integrated Roadmaps to Net-Zero 2050 for major downstream assets
• ADNOC Gas – Decarbonisation Roadmap
• ADNOC Offshore – Virtual Tour
• ADNOC Group – Decarbonisation Strategy

Community Impact Award

Recognises programmes creating meaningful benefits for local communities, from education and infrastructure to economic development. Winners demonstrate lasting societal impact and foster trust with stakeholders.

• Emarat – Community Impact Portfolio 2025
• ADNOC Refining – UAE’s Oldest Refinery Closure Project with zero flaring
• Nesma and Partners – CSR strategy aligned with Saudi Vision 2030
• ADNOC Group – Community projects 2025
• Aalem Group of Companies – Education and Youth Empowerment
• Paleblue – ROV simulator training at KAUST
• BGN – 2025 inclusive people practices
• Wood Al Majal – Basra Technical Training Centre

AI Excellence in Energy Award

Highlights innovative use of artificial intelligence in oil and gas operations. Winners leverage AI to enhance decision-making, predictive maintenance, or operational efficiency, delivering measurable industry impact.

• Kent – P&ID autogeneration and Autonomous Lifecycle
• NMDC Energy – AI Site Safety Analyser
• Nybl – Scaling and operationalising its science-based AI solutions
• ADNOC Gas – Demonstrating how AI can be operationalised at enterprise scale
• ADNOC Distribution – Embedding AI across its end-to-end value chain
• ADNOC Refining – AI-Based Autonomous Operations
• AIQ – Autonomous solutions and the ENERGYai
• ADNOC Offshore – InsightX – Observation & Intervention Transformation with AI
• ADNOC Offshore – Transforming Casing Degradation Management
• NOV – Kaizen AI Drilling Control System

Innovation in Action Award

Celebrates technical solutions or initiatives that have been successfully implemented to improve efficiency, safety, or sustainability. Winners demonstrate real-world impact and set new operational benchmarks.

• Arva Greentech Remediation – Treatment of contaminated sand after a marine oil spill
• Borouge – AI Control Room: From Automated Operations to Autonomous Operations
• IGS – Oman Methanol TubeTech™ ROV Convection Section Cleaning
• Alfa Laval – Next-generation cooling upgrade
• ADNOC Group – ADNOC’S World-FIRST Novel Hybrid EOR Technology Deployment
• IEC Telecom – IEC WELFARE deployment, GCC
• Prism Logistics – Multimodal Heavy Transport of Super Over Dimensional Cargoes
• IK Trax – Development of the 4004S Subsea Pig Signaller
• ADNOC Gas – Double Separation Technology (DST)
• ADNOC Offshore – Pipeline Inspection (ILI) Optimisation

Industry Voice Award

Honours individuals or organisations advocating for the oil and gas sector on global platforms. Winners influence policy, shape public perception, and promote industry best practices.

• Yasref
• ADNOC Offshore
• Integra Petrochemicals Pte Ltd
• Metal Park
• DeXentra

Unsung Hero Award

Recognises individuals whose behind-the-scenes contributions significantly impact projects or operations. Winners exemplify dedication, commitment, and quiet excellence without public recognition.

• Alyaziya Alkaabi, Piping Engineer, ADNOC Sour Gas
• Basma Ali Ahmed, Manager, Operations Planning (UZ), ADNOC Offshore
• Majed Aljeshi, Engineering Specialist, Saudi Aramco
• Nilda Claire Manalili, Business Analytics Manager, Wood
• Omar Al Isaee, NYP Executive VP, Lead Petrophysicist, Subsurface Lead, OQ Exploration and Production

HSE Champion of the Year

Celebrates individuals or teams demonstrating outstanding commitment to health, safety, and environmental excellence. Winners implement robust systems, protect personnel, and reduce operational risks.

• ADNOC Offshore – Imtithal HSE Assurance Program
• ADNOC Offshore – Mitigation risk of High Wells (CAT-1)
• ADNOC Offshore- The Future of Well Integrity Management
• NMDC Energy – Connected Workforce
• Al Dhafra Petroleum – HSE Leadership

Transformational Leader of the Year

Recognises senior leaders who have driven large-scale transformation within their organisation or the wider industry. Through bold strategic vision, they redefine business models, reshape operations, or reposition companies for long-term growth. Winners demonstrate measurable impact — from cultural change and efficiency gains to market expansion and competitive advantage.

• Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO, ADNOC L&S
• Abuelfotouh Abdel Naser, ALS Senior Application Engineer and Account
• Technical Sales Manager, Lufkin Industries
• Dr Ahmed Mohamed Alebri, CEO, ADNOC Onshore
• Bader Saeed Al Lamki, CEO, ADNOC Distribution
• Dr Hassan Abdalla, Founder, Esas Services Co.
• Dr Khursheed Alam, General Manager, Al Masaood LLC.
• Lynn Hobballah, Senior Regional HSSES Manager, Wood
• Mashal Al-Kindi, CEO, TA’ZIZ
• Michael Fakhoury, Vice President – Energy, Nesma & Partners
• Youssef Salem, CFO, ADNOC Drilling

Change Agent of the Year

Honours individuals who drive meaningful change within their organisations, championing new ideas, processes, or technologies. Winners demonstrate resilience, creativity, and measurable impact on industry culture or performance.

• Ali Siddiqui, Acting CFO, ANOC Distribution
• António Azevedo Campos, Co-Founder and CEO, Hub 2 Energy
• Khalid Yousuf, Engineer, Lifting Equipment, ADNOC Offshore
• Majed Aljeshi, Engineering Specialist, Saudi Aramco
• Mohamed Ali, Drilling Technology Team Leader, ADNOC Offshore
• Paul Hickin, Chief Economist, Gulf Energy Information
• Saoud Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President, Al Yasat Petroleum
• Wassim Ghadban, Global SVP, AI & Digital Engineering, KENT

Sustainability Advocate of the Year

Recognises individuals championing environmental stewardship within oil and gas. Winners lead initiatives that reduce emissions, conserve resources, or promote responsible practices, inspiring broader industry adoption.

• Dr Aaesha Ali Hashem, Vice President – Sustainability & ESG, ADNOC Gas
• Abouelseoud Mahmoud, Senior Well Integrity Engineer, ADNOC Offshore
• Athmane Benzerroug, Chief Strategy, Transformation & Sustainability Officer, ADNOC Distribution
• Mojtaba Moradi, Global Subsurface Engineering Manager, TAQA Well Completions
• Nityam Thakuria, Well Integrity Engineer, ADNOC Offshore
• Samar Al-Hameedi, Vice President, Climate Change, ADNOC Group
• Suhail Diaz Valderrama, Future Energies Director, Wood
• Sultan Albigishi, CEO, ADNOC Refining

Operational Excellence Leader of the Year

Celebrates leaders who optimise operations to deliver efficiency, safety, and profitability. Winners implement innovative processes, set performance benchmarks, and drive success across complex projects.

• Dr Ahmed Mohamed Alebri, CEO, ADNOC Onshore
• Ebrahim Ali Al Hosani, Team Leader Well Integrity, ADNOC Offshore
• Gerry Traynor, President, Eastern Hemisphere- Projects, Wood
• Hany Elkhozahi, Senior Operations Planning Engineer, ADNOC Offshore
• Jestom Kunnath, Area Manager – UAE District, Emirates National Chemicals Company (Emochem) WLL
• Josh Thibodeaux, Service Director, Cactus International
• Majed Aljeshi, Engineering Specialist, Saudi Aramco
• Omar El Sherif, Regional Manager, Middle East, Neo Oiltools

Rising Energy Star Award

Honours professionals under 35 making a significant early-career impact. Winners demonstrate innovation, leadership potential, and a bold approach that shapes the future of the energy industry.

Afra Alderei, Energy Management Engineer, ADNOC Sour Gas
Bandar Al-Ghamdi, Cyberani by Aramco Digital
Basma Al Bishr, Head of Planning and Performance, ADNOC Offshore
Bosco Chiramel, Senior Engineer, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
Kalani Ajisafe, Project Engineer, Wood
Mahra Al Blooshi, Supervisor, I-C Maintenance, ADNOC Gas
Mohamed Alzahmi, Trader, ADNOC Global Trading
Sharifa Yousif, Marine Officer, ADNOC L&S
Siddharth Jain, Field Development Manager, Sharjah National Oil Corporation
Stuart McNab, Regional Business Development Manager, AISUS Offshore LLC-FZ

Energy Woman of the Year

Recognises outstanding female professionals driving excellence in the oil and gas industry. Winners lead with innovation, expertise, and influence, setting inspiring examples for women across the sector.

• Celine Thyssen Miller, Head Of Trading Operations, ADNOC Global Trading
• Charlotte Hope, Vice President, IK Trax
• Eslah Al Hammadi, AI & Technology Manager, ADNOC Gas
• Julia Koroleva, Head of Treasury, Basrah Gas Company
• Lynn Hobballah, Senior Regional HSSES Manager, Wood
• Manisha Bhuskute, Senior Carbon Advisory Consultant, Wood
• Olena Makarevych, Data Process Systems Manager, Shell
• Pinky Mascarenhas, Director, Surface & Tubulars, Eastern Hemisphere, Nabors
• Sarah Al Azman, Marketing & New Business Development Director, TAQA
• Shamma Al Shehhi, Manager, Wells & Petroleum Engineering, ADNOC

Oil & Gas Leader of the Year

Honours visionary executives steering the industry toward sustainable and innovative growth. Winners combine strategic foresight, operational success, and industry influence to inspire transformation.

• Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, CEO, ADNOC Drilling
• Bader Al Lamki, CEO, ADNOC Distribution
• Dr Khursheed Alam, General Manager, Al Masaood LLC.
• Majid Jafar, CEO, Crescent Petroleum
• Nayef Alharbi, Corporate Planning Deputy General Manager, Yasref Company
• Omar El Sherif, Regional Manager, Middle East, Neo Oiltools
• Saqib Mcbul, Digital Solution Architect, OQ Oman Refinery
• Wael Amer, Group Chief Operating Officer, BGN Group
• Wassim Ghadban, Global SVP, AI & Digital Engineering, KENT
• Youssef Salem, CFO, ADNOC Drilling