Digitalization Set to Unlock $320 Billion in Oil and Gas Savings by 2030
December 05, 2025
The oil and gas sector stands to realize over $320 billion in savings through enhanced digital adoption over the next five years, as indicated by a recent analysis from Rystad Energy. This projection highlights the critical need for digital technologies, which have evolved from optional enhancements to essential drivers of operational efficiency, resilience, and long-term competitive advantage.
Context: The Shift Toward Digitalization
Rystad Energy identifies five key areas where digitalization is likely to deliver substantial near-term benefits: drilling optimization, autonomous robotics, predictive maintenance, reservoir management, and logistics optimization. These advancements have the potential to significantly alter cost structures for operators and oilfield service (OFS) companies, particularly amid fluctuating market conditions and increased capital discipline.
Details: Insights from Rystad Energy
Binny Bagga, Senior Vice President, Supply Chain at Rystad Energy, remarked, “We estimate that $320 billion is a modest figure. Broader digital adoption across additional business domains could generate even greater value. To realize this, executives will need to deliberately prioritize digital transformation by fostering a less risk-averse business culture.”
The growing impact of digitalization is also becoming evident in financial disclosures throughout the OFS sector. While many service providers have yet to delineate standalone digital revenue, this trend is changing. SLB has begun reporting results for its digital division, which anticipates achieving a 35% margin by 2025. Similarly, technology and geoscience firm Viridien reported $787 million in digital, data, and environmental revenue last year, reflecting a 17% growth with strong EBITDA performance.
Implications: Transforming the OFS Ecosystem
Investors are increasingly favoring companies that present credible and scalable digital strategies. Energy-technology narratives are receiving higher valuation multiples, contingent on companies demonstrating the scalability of new platforms and software-based revenue streams.
However, digital transformation faces hurdles such as significant upfront investments in hardware and software, stringent cybersecurity needs, and the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, particularly for smaller operators and service companies. Many mid-tier OFS firms are strategically enhancing their digital capabilities, while niche players are providing modular software solutions designed to address specific operational requirements.
A notable trend emerging from Rystad's findings is the rapid increase in partnerships between OFS companies and external technology providers. Collaborations among firms specializing in oilfield engineering, automation, AI, cloud, and data management have surged since 2021, with significant contributions from industry leaders such as SLB, Halliburton, NOV, and Baker Hughes.
Outlook: A New Era for Oilfield Services
Rystad concludes that the OFS ecosystem is transitioning into a new phase characterized by digital-first business models, deeper technological integration, and a focus on recurring revenue streams. This transformation marks a fundamental shift in the delivery of services across the upstream value chain, challenging traditional operational paradigms.
