Petroleum and Energy Technologies: November 2025 – Latest Standards Unveiled

In November 2025, the Petroleum and Energy Technologies sector saw pivotal advancements with the release of three new international standards. These publications further define best practices for upstream shale gas evaluation, onboard quantification of LNG marine fuel, and reliable moisture measurement in solid recovered fuels. For engineers, compliance managers, and decision-makers, these standards promise tighter quality control, improved operational efficiency, and heightened regulatory confidence—key factors in an evolving global energy landscape.

Overview

The petroleum and energy industry is marked by its multifaceted supply chain—from extraction of fossil gas to marine fuel delivery, through to the management of alternative and solid recovered fuels. Adherence to recognized standards ensures quality, safety, environmental compliance, and economic performance throughout this value chain. This article (Part 2 of 2) covers:

• Assessment methodologies for shale brittleness (critical for hydraulic fracturing and sweet spot identification)
• State-of-the-art LNG measuring protocols on marine bunkering ships
• Practical, simplified procedures for routine moisture analysis in solid recovered fuels

Professionals will gain actionable insights into new requirements, industry impacts, and recommended compliance strategies to future-proof their operations.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 24835-2:2025 – Shale Brittleness Index via Triaxial Testing

Natural gas upstream area – Determination and calculation of shale brittleness index – Part 2: Determination of shale mechanical characteristics based on triaxial testing method

Accurate characterization of shale brittleness has become foundational to efficient shale gas exploitation. ISO 24835-2:2025 specifies standardized methods and apparatus for determining Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio through triaxial testing—parameters directly influencing predictions of hydraulic fracture complexity and, ultimately, reservoir productivity.

This standard outlines procedural details, from sample preparation and apparatus calibration to calculation methods for the shale mechanical brittleness index. By focusing on the rock mechanics route (versus mineralogical estimates), it aligns the industry around reproducible measures for both reservoir quality evaluation and sweet spot identification.

Key requirements include:

• Use of a calibrated triaxial rock mechanics tester
• Detailed guidelines for preparing and testing shale samples under formation-relevant pressure and temperature conditions
• Mathematical methods for deriving Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and the resulting brittleness index
• Precision, repeatability, and reproducibility criteria for test results (referencing ISO 5725-2, ISO 5725-6)
• Comprehensive reporting on sample properties and testing outcomes

Stakeholders such as oil and gas operators, oilfield service companies, and geoscientific researchers are expected to implement these protocols, supporting investment decisions and risk management in shale gas projects.

Practical implementation can streamline site selection, optimize hydraulic fracturing schedules, and underpin regulatory submissions for resource development.

Key highlights:

• Defines triaxial testing as the industry standard for assessing shale mechanical properties
• Sharpens reservoir evaluation and reduces exploration uncertainty
• Mandates traceable, statistically valid data for shale brittleness calculations

Access the full standard:View ISO 24835-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

ISO 11982:2025 – LNG Measurement on Marine Bunkering Ships

Refrigerated hydrocarbon and non-petroleum based liquefied gaseous fuels – Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as marine fuel – Measurement on board LNG bunkering ship

As LNG cements its role as a clean fuel in maritime operations (driven by IMO decarbonization goals and sulfur regulations), precise and transparent measurement practices are vital for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore LNG furnishing. ISO 11982:2025 introduces comprehensive requirements and guidance for the quantification of LNG as fuel.

It covers both static measurement (using tank tables, custody transfer measurement systems, and correction protocols for variables like trim, list, and temperature) and dynamic measurement (utilizing advanced flowmeters). Crucially, it specifies tolerances, uncertainty levels, calibration intervals, and quality determination methods for LNG transfers—including biomethane and synthetic methane.

Key aspects of the standard include:

• Rigorous protocols for onboard measurement (static and dynamic)
• Calibration, verification, and documentation requirements for cargo measurement equipment (CTMS, ATGs, flowmeters)
• Sampling and online analysis guidance to determine gas composition and calculate energy content (using ISO 6976, ISO 6578)
• Custody transfer best practices to ensure fair and accurate commercial settlements
• Defined uncertainty criteria (e.g., tank capacity tables with ≤0.2% uncertainty at 95% confidence)

LNG bunkering ship operators, marine fuel suppliers, vessel owners, and port authorities must adhere to these protocols to guarantee contractual integrity and regulatory accountability.

Practical benefits span improved safety, transparent settlement processes, and easier adoption of alternative marine fuels.

Key highlights:

• Standardizes LNG measurement, calibration, and custody transfer in maritime fuel supply
• Includes both conventional LNG and renewable gaseous fuels (biomethane)
• Enhances fairness and traceability in LNG bunkering operations

Access the full standard:View ISO 11982:2025 on iTeh Standards

EN ISO 21660-2:2025 – Moisture in Solid Recovered Fuels (Simplified Oven-Dry Method)

Solid recovered fuels – Determination of moisture content using the oven dry method – Part 2: Determination of total moisture by a simplified method (ISO 21660-2:2025)

Solid recovered fuels (SRF) are increasingly critical in sustainable power and heat generation for both industrial and energy sectors. Determining moisture content is fundamental for quality control, trading, and process optimization. EN ISO 21660-2:2025 provides an accessible, routine method for total moisture determination via oven drying—a practical approach for daily production control where high-precision is not imperative.

This standard details:

• Applicable scenarios for the oven dry method, including operational guidance for handling samples high in volatile or oil-rich fractions (with adjustable drying temperatures/times)
• Equipment setup and sample preparation procedures
• Calculations for total moisture content, along with notes on variability and correction for volatile loss
• Quality reporting and recordkeeping for production or compliance purposes

Intended users include SRF producers, biomass energy operators, laboratories, and plant quality personnel. The simplified methodology enables rapid, cost-effective monitoring and supports broader adoption of SRF in markets emphasizing renewable energy and waste valorization.

Key highlights:

• Fast, user-friendly process for operators overseeing routine SRF production
• Facilitates consistent comparison across plants and batches
• Supports compliance under waste-to-energy and renewable fuel regulations

Access the full standard:View EN ISO 21660-2:2025 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

These new standards set a robust framework for reliable data gathering, transaction fairness, and process safety across the petroleum and energy technologies ecosystem.

• Shale gas producers and service firms gain harmonized tests for brittleness, enabling risk-reduced planning and optimized fracturing.
• Marine fuel suppliers and LNG bunkering operators now have transparent, defensible LNG measurement and handover procedures, minimizing disputes and ensuring regulatory conformity.
• Solid fuel manufacturers and users benefit from an industry-standard reference for moisture control, which helps avoid penalties and boosts efficiency.

Most importantly, early adoption of these standards positions organizations for regulatory audits, sustainability reporting, and market competitiveness. Non-compliance exposes firms to operational risks, inaccurate settlements, and potential legal challenges.

Compliance and Timeline:

• Immediate implementation is advised for new projects, contracts, and quality management programs.
• Existing operations should review process documentation, calibration schedules, and training modules in light of these standards.
• Regular audits and recertifications may be mandated by authorities or business partners as these become baseline expectations.

Benefits of Adopting These Standards:

• Reduces variability in measurement, improving project reliability and stakeholder confidence
• Ensures traceable, auditable data for technical, financial, and regulatory due diligence
• Boosts customer trust and enables easier access to international markets

Technical Insights

Across these standards, some common technical themes emerge:

• Calibration and Traceability: All methods emphasize the importance of well-calibrated apparatus (tri-axial testers, flowmeters, ovens) and detailed records for traceability.
• Data Integrity: Requirements for measurement precision (repeatability and reproducibility) and uncertainty estimation (e.g., expanded uncertainty, 95% confidence levels) are present in each standard.
• Best Practices:
  • For shale analysis, ensure rock samples are handled and tested under representative field conditions to avoid skewed brittleness values.
  • LNG bunkering ships should institute periodic calibration schedules and ensure that operational teams are trained in both static and dynamic measurement protocols, including the proper handling of tank tables and custody transfer documentation.
  • SRF operators must note sample characteristics when performing oven dry methods and apply alternative methods (like Karl-Fischer titration) for oil-rich samples as advised.
• Testing & Certification:
  • All standards recommend or require third-party verification, especially for instruments underpinning commercial transactions (e.g., LNG custody transfer, shale “sweet spot” determination).

Conclusion / Next Steps

The November 2025 suite of standards for Petroleum and Energy Technologies marks a significant step toward technical rigor, efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Engineers, quality managers, operations leaders, and procurement specialists should:

1. Review and update internal procedures to align with ISO 24835-2:2025, ISO 11982:2025, and EN ISO 21660-2:2025.
2. Train staff in new measurement, calibration, and reporting protocols.
3. Audit current compliance, prioritizing areas tied to regulatory or customer requirements.
4. Leverage these standards as a competitive differentiator—both for risk reduction and market expansion.

The full text of each standard is available exclusively on iTeh Standards. Explore these documents now to drive operational excellence and ensure your organization remains at the forefront of global best practices.

Stay informed—follow iTeh Standards for authoritative updates on the latest international standards in petroleum and energy technologies!