January 2026: Major Petroleum and Energy Technologies Standards Released

January 2026 has ushered in a suite of significant updates for Petroleum and Energy Technologies standards, directly shaping the way natural gas infrastructure is designed, operated, and maintained. With five influential international standards published this month, professionals across engineering, compliance, procurement, and quality assurance should take note. These standards address every step from fuel station construction to advanced methods for measuring sulfur compounds, offering critical tools to enhance safety, reliability, and regulatory alignment in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Overview / Introduction

The petroleum and energy sector continues to be at the forefront of industrial innovation—and stringent regulatory oversight. With increasing demand for alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as tightening emissions controls, standards development remains pivotal for achieving operational safety, environmental stewardship, and consistent product quality.

This article presents the first of a two-part deep dive into the latest international standards released in January 2026. Professionals in the fields of engineering, quality management, compliance, and procurement will gain:

• A clear understanding of new and revised technical requirements for fueling station design, operation, and maintenance
• An overview of advanced methods for detecting and quantifying sulfur compounds in natural gas
• Insights into the implications of these changes for risk management, testing, and certification

Whether you operate or supply to downstream fuelling stations, manage upstream gas assets, or are responsible for environmental and safety compliance, these updates are essential reading for staying current and competitive.

Detailed Standards Coverage

EN ISO 16924:2026 - LNG Stations for Fuelling Road Vehicles

Natural gas fuelling stations - Liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations for fuelling road vehicles (ISO 16924:2026)

This comprehensive standard defines requirements for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of LNG fuelling stations for vehicles, including those that dispense LNG as the source for CNG (also known as LCNG stations). Key areas include:

• Station layout and separation distances
• Fire and explosion protection
• Environmental considerations, including noise and venting control
• Storage design and safety (including both fixed and mobile LNG tanks)
• Equipment compatibility and performance
• Security, traffic management, risk assessment procedures, and emergency management

This standard applies to both public and private fuelling stations, whether fixed or mobile, and encompasses metered and non-metered dispensing. Crucially, it covers all equipment from LNG unloading connection up to, but not including, the vehicle nozzle. It does not address downstream gas pressure equipment for closed boil-off gas systems or liquefaction equipment.

Key highlights:

• Risk management protocols for LNG station operation
• Environmental and safety design guidance, including for movable and multi-fuel stations
• Maintenance, inspection, and fire protection requirements

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16924:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 24833:2026 - Elemental Sulfur Solubility in Natural Gas

Natural gas — Upstream area — Determination of elemental sulfur solubility by saturated dissolution method

This standard introduces a consistent, reliable method for quantifying the solubility of elemental sulfur in sour gas from upstream operations, a long-standing challenge in well and pipeline management. The method details:

• The necessary instruments, apparatus, reagents, and materials
• Step-by-step preparation, measurement, and calculation procedures
• Performance verification (repeatability, reproducibility limits)
• Safety practices for handling sour gas and sulfur compounds

By providing a standard method—saturated dissolution—it helps engineers and operators: assess risk of sulfur deposition, optimize field operations, develop predictive models, and undertake preventive maintenance. The procedure is designed for sour gas from downhole, wellhead, or separator sources.

Key highlights:

• Reliable solubility testing for improved reservoir and pipeline management
• Enhanced predictive maintenance and corrosion mitigation
• Supports better environmental and personal safety outcomes

Access the full standard:View ISO 24833:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 24894:2026 - Hydrogen Sulfide Analysis in Natural Gas

Analysis of natural gas — Determination of sulfur compounds — Determination of hydrogen sulfide by laser absorption spectroscopy

ISO 24894:2026 describes an online analytical method for determining hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) content in natural gas, using advanced laser absorption spectroscopy. The standard covers:

• Analytical range from 1 μmol/mol to 50 μmol/mol (mole fraction)
• Requirements for calibration gases, methane standards, and absorption solutions
• Detailed measurement device specifications (including laser generators and sample handling system)
• Calibration, analysis procedures, and uncertainty evaluation

Laser absorption spectroscopy offers fast, stable, and precise analysis compared to traditional chemical titration. This is particularly crucial for operators managing transmission gases where continuous H₂S monitoring assures compliance, system integrity, and health protection.

Key highlights:

• Improved speed and reliability for H₂S quantification
• Reduced manual intervention through online analysis
• Key for pipeline integrity, emissions control, and contract compliance

Access the full standard:View ISO 24894:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 16923:2026 - CNG Stations for Vehicle Fuelling

Natural gas fuelling stations - Compressed natural gas (CNG) stations for fuelling vehicles (ISO 16923:2026)

This standard sets out systematic requirements for CNG fuelling stations operation and safety. Covering everything from pipeline supply to dispenser output, it includes:

• Risk assessment and emergency management
• Station design and construction, covering slow-fill and fast-fill systems
• Requirements for compressors, dryers, odorizers, dispensers, and buffer storage
• Instrumentation, controls, gas detection, and emergency shutdown systems
• Maintenance, testing, training, safety signage, and operational procedures
• Segmented guidance for public vs. private, and fixed vs. mobile stations

Adoption is vital for organizations establishing new stations or upgrading existing ones to meet evolving safety and environmental expectations. The standard also interfaces with requirements for dispensing CNG from LNG (LCNG), aligning closely with EN ISO 16924.

Key highlights:

• Comprehensive protocols for CNG fuelling station safety and reliability
• Emergency response and gas detection best practices
• Integration with multi-fuel and mobile/refillable station models

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 16923:2026 on iTeh Standards

ISO 16924:2026 - LNG Stations for Fuelling Road Vehicles (Global Norm)

Natural gas fuelling stations — Liquefied natural gas (LNG) stations for fuelling road vehicles

A direct international counterpart to EN ISO 16924:2026, this standard details harmonized global requirements for LNG fuelling stations. It covers:

• Design, construction, and operation of LNG and LCNG fuelling stations
• Risk management, fire and explosion protection, and environmental impact mitigation
• Procedures for safe storage, unloading, compressor and dispenser operation
• Site layout, separation distances, and traffic/security management
• Inspection, maintenance, and emergency protocols

While similar in technical substance to the EN standard, it provides a foundation for cross-border projects and multi-national operators seeking a unified compliance approach.

Key highlights:

• International alignment for global fuel infrastructure projects
• Standardizes station safety, environmental controls, and operational excellence
• Essential for organizations operating in or supplying to diverse regulatory domains

Access the full standard:View ISO 16924:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

The January 2026 standards package presents both new opportunities and heightened obligations for businesses in petroleum and energy technologies. Key impacts include:

• Operational Safety: Enhanced engineering and safety requirements for CNG/LNG stations lower the risk of accidents, fires, and environmental incidents.
• Regulatory Alignment: Meeting these international standards facilitates smoother local and cross-border regulatory approvals, especially as jurisdictions increasingly require adherence to ISO and EN norms.
• Quality Assurance & Environmental Protection: Advanced protocols for sulfur compound analysis empower operators to detect and mitigate risks of corrosion, emissions, and toxic exposure.
• Asset Longevity & Cost Control: Emphasizing preventive maintenance, risk management, and systematic operations can significantly reduce unplanned downtime, equipment degradation, and costly repairs.

Compliance timeline: Implementation requirements may vary by country or project. Early adoption is strongly recommended, with thorough training and auditing processes essential for accredited certification and long-term assurance.

Benefits:

• Improved worker, customer, and environmental safety
• Enhanced predictability and transparency for stakeholders
• Lowered risk of financial penalties and operational disruptions
• Competitive advantage in procurement and tenders

Non-compliance risks:

• Elevated likelihood of safety incidents or regulatory fines
• Increased insurance premiums and reputational damage
• Potential for project delays and contract penalties

Technical Insights

Examining these five standards holistically reveals several technical threads and best practices for organizations in the sector:

• Unified System Design: Both EN ISO and ISO series for fuelling stations mandate holistic risk assessments, detailed site and equipment planning, effective fire/explosion prevention, and a documented approach to emergency response.
• Measurement Precision: ISO 24833 and ISO 24894 raise the bar for analytical consistency in sulfur monitoring—essential for effective process control and compliance with air quality regulations.
• Interoperability: Adherence to international standards encourages the use of compatible equipment, reducing integration challenges in multinational projects.
• Certification & Testing: Successful implementation demands rigorous commissioning, ongoing testing, and periodic inspections—requiring well-trained staff and robust documentation procedures.

Recommended best practices:

• Develop or update training programs for field and engineering staff on new procedures
• Review supplier qualification to ensure equipment compliance with latest standards
• Implement periodic audits for maintenance, safety, and quality assurance
• Use calibrated and certified measurement devices for sulfur analysis
• Document all risk assessments and compliance activities

Conclusion / Next Steps

This January 2026 wave of standards represents a substantial step forward in Petroleum and Energy Technologies. For industry professionals, staying ahead means acting now: reviewing current practices, updating design and operation protocols, and ensuring all testing and measurement systems meet these latest requirements.

Key takeaways:

• Understand and implement new LNG and CNG station standards for utmost safety and efficiency
• Utilize harmonized sulfur analysis methods to improve asset integrity
• Position your organization for compliant, sustainable, and competitive operations

Recommendations:

1. Review the full content of each standard through iTeh Standards.
2. Update company policies, procedures, and staff training in line with 2026 standard requirements.
3. Establish a monitoring program for regulatory changes and future parts in this series.

Stay informed by exploring the full text of each standard and prepare now to meet the new benchmarks in petroleum and energy technologies. For deeper technical guidance or certification help, consult the authoritative resources linked above and return for Part 2 as we continue our coverage of this evolving field.