Saudi Aramco’s Uthmaniyah Gas Plant (UGP) has been recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as a “Lighthouse” manufacturing facility, a leader in technology applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“The recognition of the Uthmaniyah Gas Plant demonstrates Saudi Aramco’s shift to transform and adapt in the rapidly changing global energy landscape,” Aramco said in a statement on Monday.

The facility is the latest example of Saudi Aramco’s application of Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence solutions to increase productivity while enhancing safety, reliability and efficiency of its operating facilities.

The use of drones and wearable technologies to inspect pipelines and machinery has helped cut inspection time by 90 percent in this industrial facility.

“Uthmaniyah is only one part of our large integrated energy value chain where IR 4.0 technologies are playing a critical role to enable significant capital and operational efficiencies,” said Amin H. Nasser, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco.

“Through the application of IR 4.0 technologies, we can be at the forefront of the industry helping to shape the future of energy as part of Saudi Aramco’s mission to supply oil and gas around the world safely and reliably,” he added.

Saudi Aramco is the first energy company globally to be included in this select group of manufacturing sites, it said, adding that the plant is also the only facility in the Middle East to be recognized by WEF.

The announcement was made ahead of WEF’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The gas plant is one of the world’s largest gas processing plants. It was commissioned in 1981 as part of Saudi Aramco’s Master Gas System to process associated gas from oil wells.