Israel Natural Gas Lines (INGL) is collaborating with quantum software firm Classiq to tackle the growing complexity of managing its gas networks, where potential pressure and flow configurations rapidly increase as the system expands. The partnership yielded results including execution of a reduced optimization problem on an IonQ Forte-1 quantum computer, a practical, though limited, test of the technology applied to critical infrastructure.
“Pipeline planning depends on practical engineering constraints and not abstract optimization alone,” says Nir Minerbi, co-founder and CEO of Classiq, emphasizing the focus on integrating quantum solutions with existing engineering workflows; detailed findings are available in a published arXiv paper.
Classiq Platform Enables Hybrid Quantum-Classical Gas Network Optimization
The collaboration yielded results consistent with classical solutions when tested on a representative gas network, a key step toward validating the potential of quantum approaches for complex industrial challenges. This work moves beyond theoretical exploration by applying quantum optimization to a real-world problem with defined engineering constraints and validation criteria. The core of the project involved developing a hybrid quantum-classical workflow using Classiq’s platform to search for optimal pressure configurations within the gas transmission network, accounting for physical and operational requirements, the company says.
Inputs mirrored those used in conventional hydraulic modeling, including supplier pressure, pipe characteristics, and minimum customer pressure thresholds. Simulator testing confirmed the workflow’s ability to identify maximum-throughput operating points matching results from established classical methods, validating the approach before moving to quantum hardware.
The team then ran a version of the optimization problem on the IonQ Forte-1 trapped-ion processor, achieving physically valid candidate operating points close to the classical optimum. Minerbi said, “Our work with INGL focused on bringing quantum optimization into a language oil and gas teams recognize: pressure, flow, constraints and validation.” The goal is to surface strong candidate scenarios for further engineering review complementing trusted tools operators already use. The approach integrates quantum optimization with SIMONE, a detailed hydraulic modeling environment, allowing engineers to validate quantum-generated scenarios before implementation.
Shlomo Kresner, CEO at INGL, emphasized the company’s commitment to both operational reliability and innovation, according to Classiq. “INGL has a responsibility to combine operational discipline with forward-looking innovation,” Kresner said.
“We are exploring quantum optimization not as a theoretical exercise, but as an emerging tool for evaluating complex network scenarios, validating them against established engineering methods and building practical knowledge for medium-term implementation.” Classiq, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Tel Aviv, provides a high-level, model-based quantum software platform that allows users to design and execute algorithms on diverse quantum hardware, the firm reports. The company’s recent launch of Classiq 1.0, a production quantum software engineering platform with GPU simulation, underscores its commitment to building practical tools for quantum developers.
Beyond INGL, Classiq has demonstrated quantum algorithms enhancing network routing resilience with Comcast and AMD, and built a quantum-classical pipeline with AWS for computational chemistry. Scott Millard, Chief Business Officer at IonQ, highlighted the importance of testing industry applications on real quantum hardware.
“Running the gas-network optimization problem on Forte-1 gave the team a practical way to evaluate how quantum computing could contribute to complex planning challenges in the energy sector.” The collaboration reflects a broader trend toward applying quantum computing to real-world problems in the energy sector, where operators constantly balance capacity, demand, infrastructure, and operating conditions. The published arXiv paper details the mathematical formulation, quantum optimization methodology, simulator results, and IonQ Forte-1 hardware execution, inviting scrutiny from the wider scientific community and potentially accelerating the development of quantum solutions for complex industrial challenges.
INGL has a responsibility to combine operational discipline with forward-looking innovation. Our work with Classiq reflects that strategy.
Shlomo Kresner, CEO at INGL
See today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.
