The aim of the article is to attempt to identify the profound changes taking place in the global and Russian energy sectors. One of the key drivers of the new development paradigm is the active implementation of the Industry 4.0 project elements in the fuel and energy complex, which is comprehensive and relies on digital technologies. The features of the global innovation project 'Industry 4.0' and, in particular, the digitalization of the oil and gas sector were studied. The possibility of transition of the Russian energy complex to a new development paradigm is also analyzed, it consists in the implementation of elements of the Industry 4.0 project. The problems of the Russian energy sector on the transition to a new development model, which are associated with the features of its production, market and institutional structures, are identified. The theory of value chains in the fuel and energy complex and its upgrade is separately studied. The main niche in the Russian energy sector is highlighted, in which the development of the Industry 4.0 paradigm is possible.