July 2026

The July issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering opens with DNV’s keynote that considers how oil and gas operators can utilise AI and digital twins to aid decarbonisation strategies. The issue then explores a number of key topics affecting downstream operation, such as gas processing, treatment, and analysers, compressors, sulfur, process control, instrumentation, and automation, flaring and vapour recovery, alongside safety and cybersecurity.

This month's front cover is brought to you by Ebara Elliott Energy.

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Establishing digital trust
Graham Faiz, DNV, considers how oil and gas operations can implement digitalisation tools, such as AI and digital twins, to aid the energy transition and move from theory to practice.

Approaching automation
Per Erik Holsten, ABB Energy Industries, considers how downstream operators can best modernise distributed control systems without affecting operational continuity.

Automation to autonomy
Gijs de Bles, Yokogawa Europe, explores how inspection robots, AI, and OT connectivity are helping industrial organisations push toward safer, steadier, and more self-directed operations.

Cybersecurity and the energy transition
Oliver Bornholdt, Dräger, considers how operators must combat increasing cyber vulnerabilities due to the implementation of more digitalisation measures across the industry.

A novel approach to compressor configuration
Shane Harvey and Karl Wygant, Ebara Elliott Energy, discuss how alternative approaches to large C3 refrigeration compressor design can expand capacity limits for operators in the petrochemical industry.

Engineering confidence
Besim Fejzuli, Burckhardt Compression, discusses the importance of engaging a compressor manufacturer that also supports in planning and delivery of a new installation for LNG projects.

The power of cryogenic distillation
Naomi Baker, BCCK, USA, explains why nitrogen removal is increasingly critical in natural gas processing and how cryogenic distillation provides an effective large scale solution by delivering high methane recovery, meeting stringent specifications, and enabling economically viable treatment of high-nitrogen gas streams.

The renaissance of NRU technology – part 1
In the first of this two-part article, Matthew Watt, Chart Industries, considers the basics of cryogenic NRU technology, as well as different process design aspects that should be considered for specific efforts.

Adaptable analyser solutions
Harry Burton, Michael Gaura, and Niravkumar Patel, AMETEK Process Instruments, consider how operators can optimise TGTU efficiency and uptime throughout sulfur recovery.

Cutting costs without compromise
Cyndie Fredrick, Merichem Technologies, considers how operators can utilise different hydrotreating technologies to reduce jet fuel treating costs, without compromising specifications.

Efficient emissions abatement
José Miguel González, Tecam, considers the different technology available for oil, gas, and petrochemical operators to reduce emissions, with a particular focus on engineering considerations for system design.

July 2026

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