The rapid rise in demand for advanced semiconductors from data centres and artificial intelligence (AI) applications is creating supply challenges for the oil and gas industry, affecting the delivery of critical industrial systems, according to Preechai Trannitad, managing director of Yokogawa (Thailand).
He said the energy sector is facing semiconductor delivery delays that are disrupting the supply of key control systems used in pressure regulation, thermal management and instrumentation measurement.
The delays are being felt across the oil and gas industry as chipmakers struggle to meet soaring demand from data centre operators and AI-related businesses.
According to Mr Preechai, customers in the oil and gas sector are experiencing equipment delivery delays of 1-2 months.
The backlog has intensified competition for semiconductor supplies among industries, with the oil and gas sector competing against automotive manufacturers, IT companies and fast-growing data centre and AI operators.
“The rise of AI has forced the oil and gas sector to continuously adapt, especially when developing engineering solutions that require high precision, energy efficiency and cost savings, all of which depend heavily on semiconductors,” he said.
The issue is prominent in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, where safety standards and energy efficiency are critical operational priorities, noted Mr Preechai.
To address these challenges, Yokogawa (Thailand) is adopting new technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency while helping customers reduce carbon emissions.
The move aligns with the growing commitment among companies to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net-zero targets.
Yokogawa (Thailand) is a unit of Japan-based Yokogawa Electric Corporation, which specialises in industrial automation technology and digital solutions.
Emerging energy technologies, including hydrogen and advanced compressor systems, could play a greater role in industrial operations, he said. Some of these technologies may incorporate solar energy to power turbines and related systems for industrial customers, including manufacturers.
Industries must continue investing in technologies that improve energy efficiency while lowering emissions, as the oil and gas sector shares the same decarbonisation goals as other industries, said Mr Preechai.
The oil and gas industry is accelerating its transition to cleaner fuels, particularly LNG, which is viewed as a bridge fuel in the energy transition.
“Many booths at Gastech 2026 were showcasing LNG-related energy solutions,” he said, referring to the large energy industry exhibition recently held in Bangkok.