Russia’s Gas Giants Are Getting an AI Upgrade

Roscosmos and Almaz-Antey are bringing aerospace-grade tech to the energy sector.

Russia is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in energy extraction—by blending aerospace engineering, military-grade hardware, and artificial intelligence. In a bold new collaboration, state space agency Roscosmos and defense conglomerate Almaz-Antey are teaming up to develop cutting-edge equipment for hydrocarbon extraction, with Gazprom, the country’s natural gas flagship, set to be the first major beneficiary.

Speaking at a recent forum, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov noted a major shift in domestic capabilities. “Back in 2014, only 30% of equipment in the exploration and production sector was made in Russia. By the end of last year, we surpassed 65%—and we’re still climbing,” he said.

The new gear isn’t just tough. It’s smart. Roscosmos is bringing its expertise in hydraulic fracturing technology to the table, while Almaz-Antey, better known for its missile defense systems, is applying its knowledge to subsea extraction platforms. The result: next-generation rigs that marry brute-force engineering with precision analytics.

Artificial intelligence is now woven into the drilling lifecycle. Deep neural networks are used to interpret hydrodynamic data with pinpoint accuracy, helping operators identify hard-to-reach reserves and avoid costly errors. Virtual flowmeters and sensor arrays provide real-time oversight, while machine learning algorithms recommend optimal extraction strategies based on evolving well behavior.

In a sector where milliseconds and micromovements matter, Russia is betting big on homegrown digital infrastructure. And if this joint venture delivers, it could redefine how energy is extracted—not just in Russia, but everywhere hydrocarbons still power the grid.