(WO) — Gulf Energy Information has announced the finalists for its 2026 Excellence Awards®, recognizing innovations, technologies and leadership across the global energy industry.
Selected through a two-stage independent judging process, this year’s finalists span more than 40 award categories covering upstream, midstream and downstream operations. The program recognizes achievements in drilling, completions, offshore operations, digital transformation, production optimization, environmental performance and energy leadership.
The 2026 finalists include national oil companies, international operators, oilfield service companies and technology providers from around the world. Among the upstream companies represented are ADNOC, Saudi Aramco, Halliburton, SLB, Baker Hughes, NOV, Expro, Kuwait Oil Company, Aramco Americas and CNPC.
Several upstream-focused categories highlight advances in digitalization, offshore development and drilling technology.
Best Digital Transformation – Upstream finalists are:
- AI Production System Optimization (AiPSO) — ADNOC
- AI-Enabled Autonomous Walking Island Rig AD-300 — ADNOC Drilling
- Subsurface Advisor™ — SLB
- Centri-FI™ Consolidated Controls Solution — Expro
- Digital Seawater Treatment Platform — NOV and Aker BP
- Wellnova — Repsol Sinopec Brasil and Ouronova
Best Deepwater Technology finalists include:
- MPD On-Demand™ — HMH
- ONEFIT™ Caseless Insertable — Expro
- OSTMZ™ Sand Control System — Halliburton
- SpecStar Elemental Spectroscopy While Drilling — Halliburton
- VERSAFLO NXT — Expro
- Solids-Free Ultra-High Density Innovation CF — Aramco Americas
The finalists for Energy Leader of the Year are Ahmad Jaber Al-Eidan of Kuwait Oil Company, Dr. Mark Hofacker of SLB, Mohamed Al Ali of ADNOC Offshore and Tayba Abdulrahim Al Hashmi of ADNOC Offshore.
The Lifetime Achievement – Upstream finalists are Ashok Santra of Aramco Americas, Dr. Nihal Obeyesekere of Clariant Oil Services and Maurice Slack of Volant Products.
Winners will be announced during the Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards Gala on Oct. 15, 2026.
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