ICE Rio 2025: Innovation and partnership take center stage
Ahmed Al Hakami, Vice President (A), Aramco Characterization and Field Development Geosciences, takes part in the Executive Panel II: Global Exploration Outlook.
At the International Conference and Exhibition (ICE) Rio 2025, organized by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), over 2,000 global participants converged in Brazil to explore the future of geoscience. The gathering offered a platform for dynamic dialogue with a program focused on energy exploration, technological innovation, and the evolving role of geoscientists.
Aramco’s involvement at ICE Rio 2025 underscored its commitment to advancing innovation and leveraging cutting-edge digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) within the sector. Aramco leaders and experts contributed to critical discussions on utilizing AI for exploration, meeting growing energy demand, advancements in unconventional resources, and enhancing cross-border collaboration, among other topics.
Innovation takes center stage
A central theme of ICE Rio 2025 was the transformative power of technology, with AI and digital advancements taking center stage. Ahmed Al Hakami, Aramco’s Vice President (A) of Characterization and Field Development Geosciences, shared timely insights during the Executive Panel II: Global Exploration Outlook, emphasizing the positive impact AI-driven algorithms and intelligent models are having on Exploration and Development.
“At Aramco, we capitalize on AI to process a large volume of seismic data for our exploration program, leveraging the Dammam‑7 supercomputer—the region’s largest HPC system—to run advanced AI algorithms and enhance prospecting for new oil and gas resources. On the development side, our intelligent Live Earth Model (iLEM), through AI, has helped us bring our robust 3D geological models closer to the drilling bit, and as a result we are geo-steering wells more precisely within the target zone, and we are delivering more with less, reducing our carbon intensity,” said Al Hakami.
Ahmed Al Hakami, Vice President (A), Aramco Characterization and Field Development and Geosciences, addresses a question during ICE Rio 2025.
An active community of geoscientists
The conference showcased the deep expertise and innovation of the geoscience community, with nearly a dozen Aramco leaders and experts participating as presenters, session chairs, and panelists, sharing developments in AI-driven reservoir characterization, advancements in unconventional resources, and the importance of career development.
Leadership forums and career sessions, several led by Aramcons, offered valuable learning opportunities for students and young professionals eager to contribute to the energy sector’s future. As the industry continues to grow in complexity, developing talent and fostering engagement remains essential.
ICE Rio 2025 featured more than 100 technical and poster sessions, R&D showcases, and workshops, emphasizing the drive to convert scientific advances into practical solutions. Aramco is proud to sponsor conferences like ICE Rio 2025, supporting conference features such as the Low Carbon Solutions Pavilion Theatre and providing conference tumblers.
Aramco leaders and experts gather for a photo at ICE Rio 2025.
Forging the path ahead
ICE Rio 2025 concluded with the clear message that the future of energy requires bold ideas and an innovative geoscience community. As active contributors, Aramcons remain committed to helping champion innovation and collaboration. By working together, industry members and partners can help meet the world’s growing energy demands, while advancing lower-carbon solutions.
