Emerson Unveils AI-Powered AspenTech Subsurface Intelligence to Transform Upstream Decision Making
Emerson, a global leader in industrial technology and advanced automation solutions, has announced the launch of AspenTech Subsurface Intelligence™ (ASI), a new open, cloud-native agentic environment that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to transform how companies make decisions in the upstream energy sector. This new platform is designed to significantly enhance user experience, accelerate subsurface-related decision making, and unlock greater value from legacy applications and existing technology investments.
The oil and gas industry continues to face pressure to maximize productivity, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency, all while navigating the volatility of global energy markets. With the introduction of ASI, Emerson aims to address these challenges head-on by offering a platform that supports collaboration, data integration, and AI-driven insights across the exploration and production (E&P) lifecycle.
A New Standard in Subsurface Decision Support
At the heart of ASI is its AI-powered guidance system and extensive library of domain-specific agents. These tools are fully compatible with the industry-standard OSDU® Data Platform, which allows companies to automate workflows, integrate multidisciplinary datasets, and streamline analysis processes. By bridging the gap between data and actionable insights, ASI significantly reduces the time required to move from raw information to critical investment and operational decisions.
The platform has been developed in response to a long-standing challenge in the upstream sector: the existence of organizational silos. Subsurface information is often scattered across different departments, geographies, and software systems, making it difficult for professionals to collaborate effectively. ASI eliminates many of these barriers by creating a unified environment where disciplines can work together seamlessly, ultimately leading to faster, more informed decisions and optimized production outcomes.
Leadership Perspective on Industry Transformation
Dr. Vikas Dhole, Senior Vice President of Modeling and Optimization at Emerson’s Aspen Technology business, emphasized the significance of ASI for the upstream industry.
“Silos between disciplines, software, and geographies are impacting the upstream industry’s ability to make fast, effective decisions about how to maximize returns for subsurface projects,” Dhole explained. “ASI is transforming subsurface workflows by improving multi-disciplinary collaboration across the hydrocarbon extraction project lifecycle and accelerating investment decisions. Combined with decision support from an embedded AI advisor, ASI is enabling companies to more effectively navigate energy market volatility, overcome complex E&P challenges, and empower a new generation of workers.”
His comments highlight how Emerson sees ASI as not merely a new technology, but a strategic enabler for the industry. By equipping organizations with advanced AI support, Emerson is positioning its customers to thrive in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Empowering the Next Generation Workforce
One of the standout features of ASI is its ability to democratize expertise. The system includes AI-powered guidance available through the Aspen Virtual Advisor, making it accessible to users across a range of skill levels. This approach ensures that both seasoned professionals and new entrants to the subsurface workforce can confidently tackle drilling, exploration, and production challenges.
In an industry where workforce demographics are shifting and many experienced professionals are approaching retirement, ASI plays a crucial role in bridging the skills gap. By embedding AI-driven decision support directly into workflows, Emerson is helping companies accelerate training, transfer knowledge, and reduce the risks traditionally associated with complex subsurface projects.
Cloud-Native, Scalable, and Open
Another core advantage of ASI is its cloud-native and scalable architecture. The system is designed to integrate smoothly into existing subsurface software ecosystems without requiring companies to overhaul their technology infrastructure. It not only complements Emerson’s AspenTech Subsurface Science & Engineering (SSE) portfolio, but also interfaces with third-party technical applications.
This interoperability gives energy companies the flexibility to adopt ASI alongside their current investments, thereby reducing operating expenditures while enhancing collaboration and data accessibility. Organizations can bring together multiple disciplines—geoscience, engineering, operations—into a single decision-making environment, which improves efficiency and ultimately accelerates time-to-production.
Driving Long-Term Value in a Volatile Industry
The energy industry faces an environment defined by market uncertainty, fluctuating demand, and ongoing sustainability pressures. In such a climate, the ability to make accurate, fast, and well-informed decisions is a significant competitive advantage. ASI addresses this need by reducing the lag between data acquisition and actionable decision-making.
Whether a company is evaluating new exploration opportunities, optimizing drilling operations, or seeking to extend the productivity of existing assets, ASI’s intelligent agents and AI advisor deliver insights that improve outcomes while lowering costs. The platform’s collaborative and integrated design helps organizations future-proof their operations, ensuring they can respond effectively to shifting market conditions.
A Strategic Step Forward for Emerson
With the release of AspenTech Subsurface Intelligence, Emerson has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering cutting-edge automation and digital transformation solutions for the global energy sector. The company sees ASI as not just a product, but a transformational environment that redefines how upstream companies approach subsurface challenges.
By combining cloud scalability, AI-powered guidance, and open data integration, Emerson has created a platform capable of reshaping subsurface workflows for years to come. For the upstream industry, this represents a timely innovation—one that strengthens collaboration, reduces inefficiencies, and empowers the next generation of workers to lead the energy transition with confidence.
