Beneath the Sands: How GeoMap™ Middle East Unveils a Geothermal Renaissance

Revealing the Gulf’s Geothermal Promise

Project InnerSpace today announced the launch of GeoMap™ Middle East, a groundbreaking geothermal exploration tool that reveals vast geothermal potential in the Gulf region for cooling, long-duration energy storage, and round-the-clock power applications.

Geothermal energy, the heat naturally occurring in the Earth's crust, is an abundant and ubiquitous source of energy. Advances in drilling and subsurface technologies are making geothermal affordable and scalable in regions once thought inaccessible. In the Middle East, that progress is especially important, since geothermal can deliver the constant, low emissions energy needed to meet rising demand for cooling in some of the world's hottest, fastest-growing cities.

Technical Insights and Regional Opportunities

In the Middle East, geothermal can also complement record-breaking solar investments by providing long-duration energy storage. Importantly, the Middle East is uniquely positioned to scale geothermal quickly, given the region's decades of drilling expertise and robust oil and gas industry presence, providing the know-how, workforce, and assets needed for rapid deployment.

`GeoMap™` evaluates geothermal development potential by integrating millions of subsurface data points into an interactive, freely accessible platform. Initial findings in the Gulf region identify:

Urban cooling applications: In Gulf states, cooling drives up to 70% of peak electricity demand. Geothermal district cooling could slash that peak, easing grid strain in cities like Riyadh, Dubai, and Doha. GeoMap™ shows ~14,000 GW of cooling potential, with Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey providing two-thirds of capacity; Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar also hold major opportunities.

Subsurface storage opportunities: Geological formations across Iraq, Syria, the Gulf states, northern Saudi Arabia, and Yemen could serve as "earth batteries," storing excess solar and wind energy as heat in deep sedimentary basins and releasing it on demand to balance the growth of intermittent renewables.

High-potential geothermal zones: The Red Sea Rift (western Saudi Arabia/northern Yemen) holds potential for gigawatt-scale power production and desalination; eastern Turkey and northern Iran also have strong power potential. Both areas hold opportunities for geothermal powered data centers.

Strategic and Economic Implications

“One of the most exciting things about the geothermal development potential in the Gulf region is the fact that the resource sits below some of the world's most capable and resourced oil and gas companies - the very entities with the required expertise to develop these resources, and the ability to deliver the speed and scale necessary to make geothermal relevant for the world,” said Jamie Beard, Executive Director of Project InnerSpace.

`GeoMap™ Middle East` builds on previous releases of GeoMap™ in Africa, North America, India, Asia, and Oceania, advancing a global effort to map geothermal opportunities and make next-generation geothermal data freely accessible. Consequently, policymakers, investors, and industry leaders can now evaluate concrete projects, accelerate pilot deployments, and leverage existing drilling capacity to transform regional energy systems.

Echoes of Excellence: Hisense and Real Madrid Unite to Redefine Fan Experience in MEA

Partnership Renewal and Strategic Vision

Hisense MEA enters the second year of its partnership with Real Madrid through 2025/2026 as the Spanish football giant embark on another thrilling season. The collaboration underscores Hisense's long-standing commitment to connecting fans in the region with the passion, precision, and performance that define both world-class sport and cutting-edge technology. Building on almost a decade of global sports collaborations, including UEFA EURO™, FIFA™, and most recently the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Hisense continues to strengthen its presence on the world stage.

In the MEA region, the alliance with Real Madrid ensures the brand's innovative product portfolio is spotlighted alongside the club's men's and women's first teams throughout the 2025/26 season. From the Santiago Bernabéu to homes across the Middle East and Africa, Hisense will continue to define how supporters experience every moment of the game. Consequently, stakeholders can expect coordinated campaigns that amplify both club heritage and technological advancement.

Product Innovation and Fan Engagement

Driving Awareness Through Innovation, Hisense showcases limited-edition Real Madrid-branded products that fuse premium design with smart innovation. The lineup includes the C2 Ultra 4K UHD Triple Colour RGB Laser Portable Mini Projector, a compact and powerful viewing solution for fans on the move. The 100-inch ULED MiniLED U7 PRO TV delivers breathtaking clarity and colour, transforming match days into immersive experiences.

For everyday convenience, the PureFlat Smart Refrigerator offers sleek, modern storage, while the Uni Series Air Conditioner ensures fans stay cool under pressure, no matter the scorecard. These exclusive products are available at the Hisense brand store and official retailers in the region, with new offers expected throughout the season. Moreover, the brand will complement product launches with experiential activations to deepen connections across DUBAI, UAE, and the broader MEA markets.

Regional Impact and Future Outlook

Strengthening Fan Connections in MEA, the renewed sponsorship campaign aims to deliver tangible value directly to supporters across the Middle East and Africa. In the coming months, Hisense will roll out a series of promotions and experiential activations that will connect supporters more closely with the brand and club. As Jason Ou, President of Hisense Middle East and Africa, emphasized, the partnership serves as a consistent, region-wide approach to engage diverse audiences.

Looking Ahead, through its continued alliance with Real Madrid, Hisense reaffirms its commitment to innovation, excellence, and fan engagement. By combining the world's most celebrated football club with an industry leader in home entertainment solutions, the brands can continue ensuring even greater engagement with their fans. Consequently, supporters in DUBAI, UAE, and beyond should anticipate elevated matchday experiences and ongoing activations throughout the 2025/26 season.

Revolutionizing Oilfield Operations: INTLEF's Triumph in the Nimr Field

In the unforgiving environment of the Nimr field in Oman, where temperatures often soar beyond 50°C, INTLEF has demonstrated remarkable innovation and resilience. Since July 2025, three of INTLEF's self-developed "Cobra" smart rigs have successfully completed 60 wells, marking a significant milestone in the company's operational history. This achievement not only underscores the rigs' reliability under extreme conditions but also highlights INTLEF's comprehensive capabilities that span research and development, manufacturing, delivery, and after-sales service.

The path to this success was paved with meticulous planning and execution. In October 2023, INTLEF established dedicated teams focused on research and development, business development, and financial support to meet the ambitious goals set for the project. By January 2025, the first three Cobra rigs were delivered, ready to tackle the challenges of the harsh desert environment. However, the delivery phase was merely the beginning; a dedicated 33-member after-sales service team was assembled to ensure seamless commissioning. Working tirelessly in the demanding climate, this team implemented rigorous protocols, ultimately resulting in the rigs passing client acceptance after an extensive 106 days of installation and testing.

Innovation and Efficiency: The Cutting-Edge Features of the Cobra Rigs

The Cobra rigs are equipped with groundbreaking features that set them apart in the oilfield services market. For instance, the one-click automation functionality significantly reduces manual intervention, leading to a remarkable ~20% decrease in well cycle times. Additionally, the intelligent integrated energy management system—known as AI-EMS-VFD—achieves a 40% reduction in installed power demand and a 30% savings in fuel consumption. Such advancements not only enhance operational efficiency but also align with global sustainability initiatives by realizing a 100% green workover process and reducing carbon emissions by an impressive 90%.

Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive. A representative from a client organization expressed satisfaction with INTLEF's equipment, noting, "The rigs have operated reliably under harsh conditions while bringing tangible value through automation and energy efficiency. This is a true technological upgrade." The representative further praised INTLEF's technical expertise and collaborative spirit, fostering confidence in the long-term operation of these innovative rigs.

In summary, INTLEF's successful commissioning of the Cobra rigs in Oman is more than just a technical accomplishment; it signifies the company's expanding global presence and adaptability to the diverse demands of the energy market. As energy exploration and drilling activities continue to grow in the Middle East, INTLEF stands ready to deliver integrated drilling solutions characterized by cutting-edge technology, stringent safety standards, and reliable after-sales support. This project embodies INTLEF's vision of being a trusted partner in the global oilfield services sector, driving innovation while contributing to the sustainable development of the energy industry.