AUTOMA 2025 was sponsored by key industry leaders - Tata Consultancy Services, HiveMQ GmbH, CVA Group and Imubit, whose commitment was vital to its success. The Congress was also strengthened by the expertise of its Regional Partners - Italgas S.p.A., Linde plc, Gizil GmbH, Moeve and Repsol, who provided invaluable local industry insights.

Key Trends Shaping the Oil & Gas Future

A comprehensive two-day agenda covered three main topics - the rise of Artificial Intelligence, practical implementation of digital twins and the drive for sustainable development of the energy sector. It resonates with the main demand the industry is facing, as Frank-Pete Ritsche from Holborn Europa Refinery noted: “We need to focus on efficiency as oil and gas is one of the least digitalised sectors. We need a holistic view as digitalisation has an impact on organisation, on the way you do business and on the people”.  

This call for an efficient approach was put into practice during the roundtable discussion, where experts explored how digital twins are boosting asset reliability, improving safety and enabling smarter forecasting. The session showcased practical applications and real-world strategies for using virtual replicas. Peter Gablas, Process Automation Lead Expert at Slovnaft, delved into the role of field service management (FSM) which helps to automate scheduling and dispatching of the workforce to the site. Another important benefit of using digital twins lies in sustainability. Here, Bernd Kalusche, Director Vertical Management Energy at Siemens AG, explored how the industry can leverage thetechnology to reduce carbon footprint.

Further, the topic continued during the Leaders Talk on the digitalisation role in the energy transition. At this session, Laura Rodriguez Palafox (Responsible for Transformation Management office) and Juan Pedro Cazorla (Head of Development of Industrial Control Systems) from Repsol Cartagena Industrial Complex outlined their comprehensive biofuel autonomous plant roadmap, which includes drones for asset monitoring, supervision robots with day and infrared vision and other digital tools.

While all topics sparked lively discussion, a clear consensus emerged: AI was highlighted as the primary driver of digital transformation in the coming years. The point was brought to the forefront in a Keynote session with Imubit, a leader in AI-driven process optimisation. Dennis Rohe, Business Consulting Lead, delved into the importance of staying competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape and repurposing infrastructure. It issued a clear call to action for industry leaders to begin or accelerate their own AI integration journeys.

The Cutting-Edge Tech on Display at AUTOMA 2025

The learning experience continued on the exhibition floor, featuring 54 exhibitors. The area was a showcase of new projects and innovative equipment. Delegates experienced a fully interactive environment with robotics stands. The floor came alive with demonstrations from Ascento, which introduced its robust robot for critical infrastructure security. Aerial solutions were presented by The Bionic Eye, FlyThru Limited and Fotokite with their high-performing drones for inspection and surveillance.

Immersive technologies and interactive activities were also part of the exhibition area, allowing practical experience to participants. Visitors lined up to try welding simulations and explore industrial applications through Virtual Reality (VR) setups. Cyzag booth was a major draw, sponsoring a quiz where anyone could win Lego sets, enhancing the demonstration with engaging elements.

Networking Takes Centre Stage at AUTOMA 2025

Beyond innovation-focused discussions and exhibition, the Congress became a platform for networking and collaboration. AUTOMA 2025 facilitated over 288 B2B meetings between solution providers and industry giants. To ensure every interaction counted, the companies were supported by dedicated personal managers, who curated schedules and facilitated introductions, maximising the ROI from 20+ networking hours.

“The most valuable opportunity at AUTOMA is to meet other people. All the vendors and all the other companies. It was great to meet people I haven’t seen in a lot of years, some I have never met in person.” - Darren Albers, Chief Information Security Officer at Fluor.

Shaping the Digital Tomorrow

This focus on forging connections within the industry is central to the progress. In a sector navigating a complex transition, no single company has all the answers. Strategic partnerships between key oil and gas players, service providers and technology innovators are the essential engine for accelerating the collective change towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

AUTOMA 2025 actively forged this path forward for the industry, where concepts were transformed into actionable strategies and professionals gathered to collectively tackle the challenges and advance the next generation of digital solutions.

The conversations started in Amsterdam are just the beginning - the new chapter is already underway. The next edition of the Congress is scheduled on 5th - 6th October in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.