Blockchain is emerging as a technology that demands attention within the oil and gas sector. It presents novel approaches to service contracts, review pricing, and support the entirety of the transaction life cycle. It thus promises potential cost reductions and enhanced process efficiencies. Moreover, the advantages of blockchain in the oil and gas industry manifest through enhanced transparency, compliance, and data security.

With the hype around blockchain subsiding, adoption is quietly increasing, focusing on practical benefits and efficiency gains rather than technological novelty. This shift from complete overhauls to narrower but clearer industry-specific applications, often developed in-house, reflects a maturing landscape. The realisation that blockchain’s fit may not be universal, coupled with the importance of having a strong digital infrastructure in place, will continue to drive the trend toward meaningful implementation.

As sensor technology reaches its peak within the industry amid the rising adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain facilitates the direct storage of transactions and accounting data on these devices. By linking assets directly to service contracts, blockchain significantly diminishes process time and fundamentally alters contracting by providing secure collaboration. Although adoption is currently in its early stages, the potential of blockchain in the oil and gas sector is poised for substantial growth as companies increasingly recognise its full capabilities.

Blockchain has a range of compelling applications within the oil and gas industry. For instance, the technology has the potential to accelerate digital transformation using sensors and cloud storage solutions. It can facilitate the direct storage of transaction and accounting data onto these sensors. This integration has the potential to streamline processes by directly linking assets with service contracts. Blockchain also has the capacity to revolutionise contracting practices by offering a secure platform for collaborative endeavours. Further details of oil and gas companies and their adoption of blockchain can be found in GlobalData’s new theme report, ‘Blockchain in Oil and Gas‘.