December 2025: Five New Standards Advance Petroleum and Energy Technologies

December 2025 marks a significant update for the Petroleum and Energy Technologies sector, with five notable international standards released to support advancing industry needs, operational safety, and compliance requirements. These standards span gas infrastructure measuring systems, advanced methods for analyzing gaseous fuels, lubricant quality in railway applications, and anti-aging assessment for critical turbine fluids. Professionals across operations, quality, engineering, procurement, and compliance will find that these updates deliver robust frameworks for ensuring safety, accuracy, sustainability, and long-term asset performance.

Overview

The Petroleum and Energy Technologies industry is at the cutting edge of global energy transition, blending legacy infrastructure with new fuels, advanced analytics, and expanding regulatory demands. Standards in this sector ensure that gas infrastructure, equipment, and lubricants meet the highest thresholds for reliability, safety, and performance.

With this set of five newly released standards, professionals gain access to:

• Enhanced measurement requirements for gas systems
• Advanced computational methods for methane number—crucial for engines using natural gas and hydrogen blends
• Robust anti-aging procedures for phosphate ester turbine fluids
• Rigorous quality criteria for axlebox lubricating greases used in railway applications

This article delivers an in-depth look at each new standard, emphasizes compliance considerations, and provides actionable insights for practical implementation across the energy value chain.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN 1776:2025 - Gas Infrastructure Measuring Systems

Gas infrastructure — Gas measuring systems — Functional requirements

Scope & Application: EN 1776:2025 establishes the functional requirements for designing, constructing, testing, commissioning, operating, maintaining, and calibrating gas measuring systems. The standard provides accuracy classes, threshold definitions, and compliance methods adaptable for new installations or major upgrades to existing systems.

Key requirements:

• Applicability to natural gas (2nd family gases defined by EN 437), treated biomethane, and hydrogen flows (with considerations for hydrogen-natural gas blends)
• Provisions for documentation, accuracy classification (Classes A–D), energy determination calculations, calibration, and redundancy
• Excludes communication protocols, which are addressed under EN 13757 (meter readings) and SCADA systems
• Aligns safety, housing, and material requirements with interconnected standards such as EN 15001, EN 12186, and EN 1775

Target users include gas infrastructure operators, engineering firms, utility companies, and metering equipment manufacturers. Notable changes from earlier versions focus on hydrogen compatibility and updated accuracy demonstration guidelines.

Practical implications: Adopting EN 1776:2025 ensures metrological integrity in metering infrastructure, supports seamless energy transition (including green gases and hydrogen), and strengthens audit traceability for regulatory compliance.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive design and operational guidance for gas measuring systems
• Expanded coverage for hydrogen and biomethane blends
• Strict guidance on calibration, redundancy, and maintenance

Access the full standard: View EN 1776:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 17507-1:2025 - Methane Number Calculation (MNc Method)

Natural gas — Calculation of methane number of gaseous fuels for reciprocating internal combustion engines — Part 1: MNc method (ISO 17507-1:2025)

Scope & Application: This standard specifies the MNc method—a detailed, composition-driven approach to calculating the methane number (MN) of gaseous fuels. The methane number quantifies a fuel’s resistance to engine knock, which is essential for engine calibration, emissions control, and performance assurance.

Key requirements:

• Utilizes only the gas composition as input for methane number estimation
• Applicable to natural gas, biomethane, and hydrogen admixtures
• Offers stepwise procedures, including handling of complex mixtures, groupings for ternary/binary assessment, and validation against reference datasets

Industries benefitting from this standard are engine manufacturers, utilities, fuel suppliers, and laboratories conducting knock resistance analysis. The MNc method supports transparent and consistent MN calculations, increasingly important as fuel diversity rises due to energy transition and renewable gas sourcing.

Practical implications: Organizations now have a harmonized protocol for determining MN values—crucial for warranty, emissions, and fuel interchangeability across fleets and engine platforms.

Key highlights:

• Reliable, standardized approach for MN calculation (MNc)
• Validation and uncertainty documentation for quality assurance
• Supports a wide range of fuel compositions, including renewable blends

Access the full standard: View EN ISO 17507-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 17507-2:2025 - Methane Number Calculation (PKI Method)

Natural gas — Calculation of methane number of gaseous fuels for reciprocating internal combustion engines — Part 2: PKI method (ISO 17507-2:2025)

Scope & Application: EN ISO 17507-2:2025 specifies the PKI (Propane Knock Index) method for calculating methane number. While sharing the same goal as the MNc method (characterizing engine knock resistance), the PKI method uses a distinctive polynomial function approach. It is recognized by OEMs, gas suppliers, and test laboratories internationally.

Key requirements:

• Uses mole fraction composition as sole input
• Covers a wide kettle of fuel compositions (natural gas, biomethane, hydrogen blends)
• Employs polynomial-based calculations for MN with clear protocols for conversion and reporting
• Provides sample calculations and coefficient listings to aid implementation

This standard is crucial for engine operators, compliance teams, and energy traders who require a defensible, repeatable MN metric. It also supports cross-border fuel quality agreements, as the PKI method is cited in marine and industrial applications.

Practical implications: Accurate PKI-based methane number calculation adds value for warranty analysis, risk management, and optimizing combustion strategies for engines operating on variable gas compositions.

Key highlights:

• Widely adopted PKI methane number method for knock resistance
• Transparent polynomial methodology with stepwise calculation
• Harmonization with marine and industrial fuel quality protocols

Access the full standard: View EN ISO 17507-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 16675:2025 - Anti-Aging for Phosphate Ester Turbine Control Fluids

Petroleum and related products — Determination of anti-aging for phosphate ester turbine control fluids

Scope & Application: ISO 16675:2025 provides a standardized method to evaluate the anti-aging performance of phosphate ester turbine control fluids—essential lubricants in critical energy and industrial turbine operations.

Key requirements:

• Specifies closed vessel aging with controlled oxygen, water, and copper catalysts at defined temperature and pressure
• Acid number increase is used as a quantitative indicator of anti-aging performance—measured via ISO 6618 or ISO 6619
• Covers both new and in-service (used) turbine fluids
• Clearly differentiates this method from open-system tests (e.g., EN 14832/14833), offering improved reproducibility and shorter test durations

Oil producers, power plants, maintenance providers, and laboratories will benefit from reliable determination of fluid stability, ensuring extended service life and reduced failure risk in turbine control systems.

Practical implications: By adopting ISO 16675:2025, organizations can improve operational safety, asset protection, and reduce unscheduled downtime due to fluid degradation.

Key highlights:

• Robust, closed-vessel accelerated aging method
• Applicable for both new and used control fluids
• Faster, more consistent results compared to legacy open-system methods

Access the full standard: View ISO 16675:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN 12081:2025 - Quality Requirements for Axlebox Lubricating Greases

Railway applications — Axleboxes — Lubricating greases

Scope & Application: EN 12081:2025 defines the minimum quality requirements for greases used in axlebox rolling bearings—vital for railway safety, reliability, and efficiency across European railways.

Key requirements:

• Details conformity assessment protocols for new greases, batch control, and change management
• References rigorous testing for mechanical stability, corrosion resistance, compatibility, and temperature performance
• Specifies traceability, packaging, storage, and documentation requirements
• Integrates with related standards covering bearing design and other grease properties (EN 12080, EN 12082)

Grease suppliers, railway OEMs, fleet operators, and maintenance depots are primary stakeholders for this standard. The update introduces clarified testing requirements, modernizes storage criteria, and improves assessment consistency.

Practical implications: Implementing EN 12081:2025 helps organizations ensure only high-performing greases are used, reducing maintenance interventions and prolonging asset life in demanding railway environments.

Key highlights:

• Unified quality and conformity testing for axlebox greases
• Supports operational safety, long service intervals, and component life
• Modernized batch control and testing procedures for consistent quality

Access the full standard: View EN 12081:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The December 2025 round of standards has direct, far-reaching implications:

• Operational Safety: Enhanced protocols for gas integration, lubricant quality, and turbine fluid stability protect both infrastructure and personnel.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting these standards is often mandatory for permitting, ongoing certification, and vendor qualification.
• Performance Optimization: Accurate methane number assessment (via MNc/PKI) and improved measurement instrumentation allow for fuel flexibility and emissions control while protecting engines and downstream assets.
• Cost Efficiency: Reliable greases and fluids reduce repair needs, downtime, and maintenance costs, ultimately supporting efficient operations.

Compliance timelines will vary by jurisdiction and organizational policy, but early adoption is highly advised to support seamless audits, tender competitiveness, and supply chain trust.

Risks of non-compliance:

• Increased exposure to safety incidents
• Loss of certification or exclusion from procurement
• Greater operating costs due to equipment or asset failure
• Potential for environmental and regulatory penalties

Technical Insights

Common technical themes across these standards include:

• Composition-based assessment: Both methane number standards require detailed, accurate gas composition data as the calculation foundation.
• Reliance on robust calibration and documentation: Whether metering systems or lubricant batches, systematic calibration and recordkeeping are pivotal for traceability and auditability.
• Testing best practices: Accelerated aging, mechanical, and chemical tests should be executed as specified, with clear reporting and conformance to industry-accepted reference methods.
• Certification and validation: Engage certified labs, track conformity carefully, and periodically review installed system/component performance against standard requirements.

Best practices for implementation:

1. Conduct a gap analysis between current processes and new standard requirements.
2. Update procurement specifications to reference the updated standards.
3. Train relevant technical staff on new methodologies (e.g., MNc/PKI calculation tools, closed vessel oxidation tests).
4. Audit system/equipment documentation to ensure availability and validity per new guidelines.
5. Work with suppliers to ensure batch and product compliance prior to site delivery or use.

Testing and certification:

• Use accredited facilities and validated methodologies for all critical tests.
• Ensure documentation (such as Certificates of Analysis, calibration reports, maintenance logs) are readily accessible during audits or asset reviews.

Conclusion / Next Steps

December 2025’s updated standards in Petroleum and Energy Technologies represent a major step forward for safety, reliability, and adaptability across gas infrastructure, power generation, and mobility supply chains.

Key takeaways:

• Updated standards deliver enhanced safety, data integrity, and operational efficiency.
• Methane number calculation adapts your engine strategies to the realities of today’s evolving energy mix.
• Improved lubricant and fluid standards protect critical systems against breakdown and performance loss.

Recommendations for organizations:

• Proactively review and align internal procedures with new standard requirements.
• Communicate changes with both internal stakeholders and supply chain partners.
• Leverage iTeh Standards as a single authoritative resource for accessing full standards, monitoring updates, and supporting compliance journeys.

Staying ahead means embracing evolving best practices. Explore these new standards, audit your current processes, and drive continuous improvement throughout your operations.

Stay current and access authoritative details at iTeh Standards for all the latest Petroleum and Energy Technologies standards.