Satellite 5G IoT operator OQ Technology is partnering Saudi oil producer Aramco. The two companies will collaborate on developing industrial automation and Satellite IoT connectivity for Aramco’s remote site infrastructures. The collaboration builds on existing close links between the two companies.

Under a memorandum of understanding, OQ Technology will expand Satellite IoT services and solutions for connecting Aramco’s Intelligent Integrated Node (IIN) technology The new MoU is aimed at creating new investment opportunities by converging automation and connectivity technologies, driving value creation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

IIN is an automation infrastructure technology invented by Aramco and developed by MOXA Inc. It combines instrumentation control, monitoring, and edge computing capabilities into a single fault-tolerant device.

The technology unifies various devices from multiple vendors. It has received a number of awards, including the 2020 International Society of Automation (ISA) Excellence-In-Innovation Award.

The collaboration brings together Aramco’s automation edge technology and OQ’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) 5G NB-IoT infrastructure, offering significant potential. It aims to accelerate development of IoT applications, safety, security & surveillance, and fire protection in Saudi Arabia.

The parties intend to work together to create an integrated package that includes the Aramco automation edge technology being developed by MOXA with OQ Technology infrastructure, and to promote the solution opportunities in the network manufacturing value chain that are related to the oil and gas industry.

Omar Qaise, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at OQ, said, “Integrating 5G IoT and IIN technologies will increase operational efficiencies downstream, reduce raw material consumption, and minimise personnel travel to remote sites, contributing to a more efficient green economy– a key component of Saudi Arabia’s 2030 vision. The MoU further advances the technological cooperation between Aramco and OQ.”

While the current focus of IIN technology is to deliver value to operating energy companies, there are opportunities to incorporate the technology into other sectors, such as smart cities, power and utilities, agriculture, and transportation.