TLDR: Aramco and Yokogawa have achieved a significant milestone by successfully commissioning multiple autonomous control AI agents at Aramco’s Fadhili Gas Plant in Saudi Arabia. This groundbreaking deployment, utilizing Yokogawa’s Factorial Kernel Dynamic Policy Programming (FKDPP) reinforcement learning AI algorithm, aims to optimize acid gas removal (AGR) operations, demonstrating substantial reductions in energy and chemical usage, improved stability, and decreased manual intervention.
TOKYO/DHAHRAN – October 29, 2025 – A landmark achievement in industrial automation has been announced by Yokogawa Electric Corporation and Aramco, with the successful commissioning of multiple autonomous control Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents at Aramco’s Fadhili Gas Plant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This initiative marks a significant step towards industrial autonomy, enhancing operational efficiency in a critical energy facility.
The deployed AI solution is designed to directly and autonomously control and optimize acid gas removal (AGR) operations within the Fadhili Gas Plant. At its core, the system leverages multiple, coordinated AI agents based on the Factorial Kernel Dynamic Policy Programming (FKDPP) reinforcement learning-based AI algorithm. The FKDPP algorithm, a joint development by Yokogawa Electric and the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), previously earned the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prize at the 2023 Japan Industrial Technology Awards, underscoring its innovative capabilities.
The implementation of this advanced AI system was executed in three progressive phases. Initially, various sections of the AGR unit were optimized, culminating in the achievement of autonomous control over the core process. Ensuring safety was paramount throughout the deployment; Yokogawa meticulously created a plant simulator to rigorously train the AI agents and evaluate their reliability and validity. Subsequently, these agents were seamlessly integrated with Yokogawa’s CENTUM VP integrated production control system, leveraging the existing plant’s robust safety functions.
Initial results from the Fadhili Gas Plant are highly promising, indicating significant operational improvements. The deployment has led to a reported 10% to 15% reduction in amine and steam usage, alongside an approximate 5% reduction in power consumption. Furthermore, the plant has experienced improved process stability and a notable decrease in the need for operator manual intervention, even amidst fluctuating ambient conditions.
Kunimasa Shigeno, Director, President & CEO, and Representative Executive Officer of Yokogawa Electric, expressed his pride in the collaboration: “We are honored that Yokogawa was entrusted by Aramco to implement such ground-breaking technology in one of its major facilities. We are very pleased that the results have already exceeded expectations. Yokogawa is advocating the transition from industrial automation to industrial autonomy (IA2IA), and this deployment proves that we are ready to lead the way towards safe and secure autonomous operations for plants in the energy sector.”
Echoing this sentiment, Al Qahtani, Aramco Engineering Services Senior Vice President, highlighted Aramco’s strategic vision: “Aramco has embarked on an ambitious plan to unlock value by deploying a wide range of industrial AI applications across our operations. The collaboration with Yokogawa is one of many initiatives that focus on improving efficiency, enhancing sustainability, and generating more value for our shareholders. It reflects how the company is harnessing advanced technology, including AI, to elevate its performance and reinforce its position as a technology leader in the energy sector.”
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Yokogawa defines autonomous control AI as an AI that independently deduces the optimum control method and possesses a high level of robustness, enabling it to autonomously manage situations it has not previously encountered. This successful deployment at Aramco’s Fadhili Gas Plant serves as a testament to the transformative potential of industrial AI in the energy sector, paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and autonomous operations globally.
