November 2025: Key Petroleum and Energy Technology Standards Released

The petroleum and energy technology sector is evolving rapidly, demanding ever-higher standards of quality, reliability, and safety. November 2025 saw the publication of five significant international standards, setting new benchmarks for fuel quality control, laboratory testing, and upstream gas exploration. These standards not only address emerging technical needs but also streamline compliance amid changing market and regulatory dynamics. This article—part one of a comprehensive two-part series—covers the scope, key requirements, and practical implications for each new ISO standard.

Overview

Petroleum and Energy Technologies represent a backbone of modern industry, spanning activities from crude extraction to refining, transportation, and distribution of fuels and natural gas. International standards underpin safe operations, consistent quality, product compatibility, and global market access. With supply chains growing more complex, it’s essential for industry professionals to stay updated on new specifications addressing fuel contamination, flammability, and innovative upstream evaluation methods.

By reading this article, you’ll discover:

• Critical updates for total contamination and flash point testing in fuels
• Novel methodologies for shale brittleness in gas reservoirs
• Steps for effective compliance and technical implementation
• How these standards will impact operations, safety, and competitive strategy

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 32662-1:2025 – Middle Distillates and Diesel Fuels Contamination

Liquid petroleum products – Determination of total contamination – Part 1: Middle distillates and diesel fuels

This foundational standard specifies the method to determine the content of undissolved substances (total contamination) in middle distillates and diesel fuels—including up to 30% fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The method supports a working range of 12 mg/kg to 26 mg/kg, applicable to products with a kinematic viscosity ≤8 mm²/s at 20°C, or ≤5 mm²/s at 40°C. It is adaptable for paraffinic diesel fuels (EN 15940) or those with >30% FAME, but with undefined precision.

The standard involves sampling, filtration under vacuum, and gravimetric analysis of residues, providing critical metrics for filterability and component reliability in fuel systems. A notable structural change from prior editions is the separation of neat FAME testing into Part 2 (ISO 32662-2).

• Scope: Middle distillates, diesel fuels (≤30% FAME), paraffinic diesel, variable viscosity petrol products.
• Key Requirements:
  • Sampling per ISO and EN standards
  • Use of precision filtration apparatus and pre-weighed high-retention glass fiber filters
  • Detailed container and apparatus cleaning protocols
  • Expression of results in mg/kg
  • Emphasis on laboratory precision and traceability
• Who Needs to Comply: Fuel producers, refiners, distributors, independent labs, fuel quality auditors, OEMs, and regulatory agencies.
• Practical Implications: Ensures fuels are within contamination limits, reduces operational failures from filter blockage, and supports warranty and performance claims. Laboratories should upgrade sample handling and apparatus cleaning procedures accordingly.
• Notable Changes: New separation of FAME testing into a standalone part, improved clarity in scope and methodology.

Key highlights:

• Establishes working range and laboratory precision for diesel and middle distillates
• Reinforces sample and apparatus handling for accurate results
• Supports compliance with EN 15940 and emerging regulatory limits

Access the full standard:View ISO 32662-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 32662-2:2025 – FAME Fuel Contamination

Liquid petroleum products – Determination of total contamination – Part 2: Fatty acid methyl esters

Part 2 of this crucial series details the determination of undissolved substances (total contamination) in pure, or ‘neat’, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). The method covers a working contamination range from 5 mg/kg to 27 mg/kg, designed for products with a kinematic viscosity ≤8 mm²/s at 20°C or ≤5 mm²/s at 40°C (e.g., EN 14214-compliant biodiesel). Like Part 1, an emphasis is placed on laboratory cleanliness and test repeatability.

The separation into a dedicated FAME standard addresses the unique properties of pure biodiesel as contamination can differ due to feedstock variability and handling. Adhering to this new method is vital for producers and suppliers of biodiesel seeking to meet strict contamination requirements.

• Scope: Neat FAME used as vehicle or industrial fuel, especially where EN 14214 applies.
• Key Requirements:
  • Rigorous container and filtration apparatus cleaning
  • Use of high-retention glass fiber filters
  • Vacuum filtration and gravimetric analysis
  • Sample collection protocols in line with ISO 3170/3171
• Who Needs to Comply: Biodiesel plants, fuel blenders, third-party testing labs, regulatory agencies overseeing alternative fuels.
• Practical Implications: Ensures biodiesel supply meets quality standards, minimizing operational disruptions and safeguarding engine performance.
• Notable Changes: Dedicates neat FAME testing to a single standard, enhancing test accuracy for the growing biodiesel market.

Key highlights:

• Defines contamination limits and procedures for pure FAME fuels
• Supports compliance with renewable fuel mandates
• Improves reproducibility in quality control across the biodiesel sector

Access the full standard:View ISO 32662-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 2719:2025 – Flash Point Determination (Pensky-Martens Method)

Determination of flash point – Pensky-Martens closed cup method

This extensively revised standard specifies three procedures for measuring the flash point of combustible liquids using the Pensky-Martens closed cup tester. Flash point is a safety-critical parameter widely used for storage, shipping, and classification of fuels, lubricants, varnishes, and biodiesel. The 2025 update spans temperatures from 40°C to 370°C and clarifies use for both standard and complex fluids (i.e., those with suspended solids, surface films, or high viscosity).

• Scope: Applies to distillate fuels, residual oils, lubricants, paints, varnishes, biodiesel (FAME), blends, and high-viscosity products.
• Key Requirements:
  • Three procedural variations (A: distillate fuels, paints, lubricants; B: residuals/high viscosity/surface films; C: FAME/biodiesel)
  • Apparatus calibration and verification with reference materials
  • Precise atmospheric pressure correction for result standardization
  • Safety warnings and detailed cleaning protocols
• Who Needs to Comply: Refineries, lubricant and fuel plants, test labs, safety compliance officers, and regulatory inspectors.
• Practical Implications: Determines accurate flash point for regulatory compliance, hazard classification, and shipping documentation.
• Notable Changes: Harmonization with new EN and ASTM standards, updated procedural clarity, broader applicability to alternative fuels (FAME), improved apparatus requirements.

Key highlights:

• Clear procedure selection for a broad range of products
• Enhanced apparatus and quality control requirements
• Supports compliance with international transport and safety codes

Access the full standard:View ISO 2719:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 24835-1:2025 – Shale Brittleness Index (X-ray Diffraction Method)

Natural gas upstream area – Determination and calculation of shale brittleness index – Part 1: Determination of shale mineral characteristics based on X-ray diffraction method

This innovative standard introduces a precise laboratory method for calculating the shale brittleness index—a vital parameter in unconventional gas reservoir development. By analyzing shale mineral composition using X-ray diffraction (XRD), operators can identify ‘sweet spots’ for hydraulic fracturing, optimizing field development.

• Scope: Reservoir evaluation, sweet spot identification, and quality assessment in shale gas exploration.
• Key Requirements:
  • Sampling requirements for representative shale cores
  • Preparation of samples to a specified particle size (<45 μm)
  • X-ray diffraction analysis per defined instrumental and calibration criteria
  • Calculation of brittle mineral content and resultant brittleness index
• Who Needs to Comply: E&P operators, geologists, laboratory technicians, field service providers, and research organizations in shale gas.
• Practical Implications: Guides resource targeting decisions, enhances production forecasts, and supports investment and field planning.
• Notable Changes: Represents the first part of a standardized approach to shale brittleness (future parts will include alternate methodologies).

Key highlights:

• Standardizes shale quality analysis with precise mineral characterization
• Supports robust, reproducible brittleness index calculation
• Enables data-driven reservoir development and risk management

Access the full standard:View ISO 24835-1:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

These standards are poised to reshape practices across the petroleum and energy landscape. Companies that implement them early will benefit from:

• More reliable fuel quality assessments that limit warranty risks and operational disruptions
• Secure regulatory compliance in global markets
• Improved safety documentation—especially for storage/transport of high-hazard materials
• Optimized upstream resource identification and reservoir development

Compliance steps and considerations:

1. Review internal test methods and align laboratory SOPs with updated specifications.
2. Train quality, lab, and production teams on new procedural and documentation requirements.
3. Update procurement and supplier quality contracts to define new contamination and flash point limits.
4. Establish or enhance internal calibration and apparatus verification routines.
5. For upstream shale operations, integrate shale brittleness analysis into resource assessment workflows.

Failure to comply could result in not meeting regulatory transport, storage, or engine warranty limits, increased downtime from fuel system failures, and lost market competitiveness.

Technical Insights

Across these standards, several technical requirements recur, such as:

• Meticulous cleaning and handling of laboratory equipment to minimize background contamination
• Rigorous sample collection and representativeness to ensure accurate quality data
• Gravimetric analysis using high-precision balances
• Atmospheric correction for flash point reporting
• Instrument calibration and traceability (especially for XRD and Pensky-Martens devices)
• Structured test reporting to support audits and regulatory review

Implementation best practices:

• Run regular proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons
• Maintain detailed test records and calibration logs
• Cross-train staff in safety practices due to hazardous chemicals and apparatus
• For shale brittleness evaluation, ensure data processing aligns with ISO recommendations for peak identification and intensity calculations
• Join relevant industry organizations for updates on part two of ISO 24835 and related standards

Conclusion: Next Steps for Professionals

The November 2025 release of these five standards marks a major advance in fuel quality, laboratory testing, and upstream natural gas resource evaluation. Fuel producers, refiners, labs, and E&P firms should promptly assess their compliance status, update lab protocols, and retrain staff to leverage these new best practices.

Key takeaways:

• Early adoption positions firms for improved quality and regulatory compliance
• Integrated standards facilitate interoperability, risk management, and market access
• An informed workforce is essential to realizing the full benefits of these changes

Recommendations:

• Download and review each relevant standard in detail using iTeh Standards’ authoritative platform.
• Perform a compliance gap analysis as part of your 2025/2026 quality plan.
• Stay tuned for Part 2, which will cover additional standards and further actionable insights for petroleum and energy professionals.

Ready to strengthen your quality systems and safeguard compliance?Explore these standards on iTeh Standards and stay ahead of the curve.