Key highlights

• Provided a global focal point to develop and maintain a portfolio of key asset integrity and ageing and life extension publications, accommodating emerging and low carbon technologies.
• Developed guidance on corrosion management for late life (through to decommissioning) assets.
• Drafted guidance on corrosion management and wider integrity for assets handling hydrogen.
• Updated guidelines for the management of microbiologically influenced corrosion in oil and gas production to a second edition.
• Updated guidelines for caisson life cycle integrity management to a second edition.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will include:

• Developing guidance on integrity assessment practices for composite piping.
• Developing guidance for extreme environmental loading of floating offshore structures.
• Developing guidance on governance of data and data discipline, to enable use of artificial intelligence in a secure environment.
• Developing guidance on corrosion management and asset integrity for CCUS operations.
• Developing guidance on supporting deferral decision-making in relation to asset integrity management.
• Completing and publishing guidance on asset integrity for wind turbines.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Workshop held on managing water stress during the energy transition, working with stakeholders to identify knowledge gaps.
• Workshop held on diversifying and decommissioning North Sea oil and gas (O&G) facilities in line with global biodiversity targets.
• Reviewed existing circularity framework metrics to understand how O&G companies can measure circularity in their processes.
• Explored sustainable supply chain opportunities for offshore wind, focusing on circular materials, decarbonised technologies, and nature-enhanced design.
• Developed guidance on decarbonisation economics, and the economic benefits of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction projects. Additional metrics beyond net present value were suggested for long-term benefits.
• Developed guidance on dismantling and implementing circularity across the lifecycle of assets, including wind, solar, nuclear, and O&G platforms.
• Worked in collaboration with OGCI, IOGP, and IPIECA on recommended practices for detection and quantification of methane emissions.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will include:

• Developing a global offshore wind supply chain directory to support procurement teams with meeting internal net zero targets.
• Collaborating with CL:AIRE to highlight sustainable management practices in soil and groundwater site management which deliver circular and nature positive outcomes.
• Providing upstream O&G companies with guidelines on estimating lifecycle GHG emissions, aligning with expected scope 3 disclosure requirements.
• Developing energy and emissions management training, for non-energy management professionals, in line with ISO 15001.
• Evaluating where recycled effluent can be used as an alternative to fresh water to mitigate scarcity risks.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Published a Mental health framework to assist organisations in establishing, maintaining and improving employee mental health programmes.
• Presented at the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) Scientific Conference 2024 on diesel engine exhaust emissions; wearable technologies and occupational health risks associated with decommissioning activities.
• Completed a literature review on the prevalence of acute coronary syndrome across the offshore energy sector, exploring correlations between job role, lifestyle factors, and demographic characteristics.
• Developed guidance on cost-effective noise reduction solutions and management strategies.
• Investigated the exposures to diesel engine exhaust emissions from fixed and mobile installations and equipment used across the energy sector.
• Finalised guidelines on occupational health assessment for wind turbine workers.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will include:

• Developing guidance on control measures for minimising exposure to airborne particles during abrasive blasting and cutting.
• Developing guidance on biological monitoring for assessing worker exposure to metals during abrasive blasting, welding and grinding.
• Revision of manual handling and ergonomic guidance sheets for offshore installations, identifying musculoskeletal hazards and encouraging an ergonomic approach to managing risk.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Published EI 3548 Human factors standards for facility design: Early design quick reference guide to help designers apply human factors and ergonomic principles early in a project.
• Published guidance to help organisations integrate human factors into their safety management system.
• Published guidance on incorporating human factors into task-based and frontline risk assessments, allowing risk managers, work controllers and supervisors to identify human factors during job planning.
• Updated guidance on implementing new technologies to include use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will be:

• Developing guidance to help organisations assess the optimal placement and function of safety critical valves.
• Developing a method to assess whether organisations have the right number of managerial and assurance roles.
• Developing an illustrated guide for designers summarising the human factors and ergonomics requirements for human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
• Developing a new human factors online training course to support the EI Human Performance Pathway.
• Developing short human factors videos for frontline workers, focusing on human factors, task analysis and accident investigation.
• Revising guidance on learning from incidents.
• Finalising new guidance on human error probabilities in quantitative risk assessment.
• Revising our human factors briefing notes.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Published EI 3015 EI Model code of safe practice Part 15: Area classification for installations handling flammable fluids, fifth edition.
• Developed an area classification training course based on the new edition of EI 15.
• Hosted a cross industry workshop on the management of barrier health in relation to process safety hazards, to inform an EI project on barrier health management.
• Hosted a workshop on Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) risk targets, to inform development of guidance on the use of LOPA.
• Presented EI guidance at multiple international conferences.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will include:

• Developing guidance on the process safety challenges of introducing new technologies into existing facilities.
• Developing guidance on ammonia safety, from production to end use.
• Developing guidance on upstream normally unattended facilities.
• Hosting a joint conference with IMechE, Cogent and other stakeholders on process safety competency.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Provided the global focal point for fuel quality/handling queries on ‘sustainable aviation fuel’ and completed a second edition of EI Standard 1533 Quality assurance requirements for semi-synthetic jet fuel and synthetic blending components (SBC).
• Released a CGI animation: Quality assurance for sustainable aviation fuel (youtube.com) to encourage the global adoption of EI Standard 1533 and highlight the importance to flight safety of following its requirements.
• Progressed a process hazard analysis of battery electric vehicle use for aviation fuel handling at commercial airports to help support wider-scale deployment of EVs.
• Published EI 1542 Identification markings for dedicated aviation fuel manufacturing and distribution facilities, airport storage and mobile fuelling equipment, tenth edition. This volunteer-led update incorporates new colour schemes for unleaded aviation gasoline, for synthetic blending components (for jet fuel) and for fuel system icing inhibitor.
• Published EI 1581 Specifications and laboratory qualification procedures for aviation fuel filter/water separators, seventh edition to include greater emphasis on sustainability and clarify testing requirements for one-stage coalescer/separator elements.
• Completed drafting of EI 1587 Recommended practice for single cartridge filtration units for aviation fuel (Feb 2025), to provide a guide for general aviation and business Jet stakeholders on the types of aviation fuel filter cartridge that are available to help with equipment selection and operation.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will include:

• Completing work to prepare a third edition of EI/JIG Standard 1530 Quality assurance requirements for the manufacture, storage and distribution of aviation fuels to airports, to ensure the resource continues to provide the global benchmark for aviation fuel quality.
• Publishing a new approach to aircraft misfuelling prevention in EI 1597 third edition.
• Releasing a new animation explaining the co-processing of renewable feedstock with petroleum-based feedstocks to produce semi-synthetic jet fuel/SAF.
• Releasing a further four aviation fuel handling animations to encourage uptake of good practice.

Recent publications

Key highlights

The EI runs a well-established and globally recognised suite of proficiency testing programs

Engine Correlation Scheme (ECS)

The Engine Correlation Scheme (ECS) is specifically aimed at laboratories determining the Research Octane Number (RON), Motor Octane Number (MON) and Cetane numbers of gasoline and diesel fuels

Samples are distributed globally monthly. Data entry and report download are via a dedicated website. Reports contain Z-scores and standard deviations. Participation in the ECS is essential to prevent giveaways.

The EI Proficiency Testing Scheme (EI PTS)

With over 70 laboratory participants worldwide, the EI PTS is one of the largest schemes available for testing gasoline, diesel, Jet fuel, and fuel oils. The scheme covers all the important specification tests for these fuels.  The monthly reports are tailored for each individual laboratory and include the mean, standard deviation, Z-score, and EWMA trendlines for each test method.

The EI-PTS allows your laboratory to be benchmarked against global peers.

Recent publications

Key highlights

The HMC-4A Marine Oil Transportation Committee, oversees a programme focusing on losses of crude oil shipped by sea-going vessels and river barges. The membership comprises over 20 oil majors and refiners and has been running for over 30 years.

The report issued annually includes analysis by grade, load port, discharge port and vessels for company and global data. Comparing company with global performance allows better understanding of issues and causes of cargo losses.

The appetite for this global benchmarking is as strong as ever and continues to be a valuable asset for committee members. Membership of this benchmarking scheme is included as part of the EI Technical Partner fee. There is an annual fee for other participants.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Worked alongside the Association for Petroleum & Explosives Administration (APEA) and regulators to publish Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations, fifth edition, including updated guidance on electric vehicle charging.
• Published revised edition of the Blue Book: Hydrogen Addendum, following significant stakeholder engagement, update and revision.
• Developed guidance on future vehicle technologies and implications for the safe loading and discharge of product in hazardous areas.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will include:

• Completing the revision of guidance on fuel product identification, to include renewable diesel identification.
• Completing guidance on petroleum road tanker design and construction, fifth edition, which will include new fuels and technologies to aid compliance with ADR and the Safe Loading Pass scheme.
• Commencing a review of terminal infrastructure compatibility with biofuels.
• Completing a literature review on the design and construction of hydrogen road tankers.
• Completing guidance on the safe operation of road tanker workshops.

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Expanded the scope of hydrocarbon management activities to include alternatives to fossil fuels.
• Developed guidelines covering bio-origin grades, focusing on bio-feedstocks and biofuels.
• Published guidance on liquid metering, gas measurement and cargo inspection.
• Provided the secretariat for ISO Technical Committee 28 / Sub-Committee 2 – Measurement of petroleum and related products.
• Published HM50 – Guidelines for the cleaning of tanks and lines for marine tank vessels carrying petroleum and refined products, sixth edition.

Forward programme

Our focus for 2025 will include:

• Expanding our portfolio with new guidance to support the energy transition.
• Building our activities in the Asia region.
• Support the development of the newly established HMC-6 (bio-feedstocks and biofuels) recruiting new members and broadening the scope of work.
• Continuing to produce guidance with the American Petroleum Institute (API), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and British Standards Institute (BSI).

Recent publications

Key highlights

• Developed draft methods IP-PM-FK (determination of the lubricity of methanol) and IP-PM-FI (determination of abrasive particles in methanol), for inclusion in the ISO specification for methanol as a marine fuel, ISO 6583.
• Developed IP-PM-FJ, a draft method for determining contaminants in hydrogen using infra-red spectroscopy using Optical Feedback Cavity Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OFCEAS) with Low-Pressure Sampling (LPS). To enable clean hydrogen to be delivered to PEM fuel cells.
• Completed development of IP 639, a method for a portable, rapid scanning infrared instrument to determine the amount of Fame (fatty acid methyl-ethers) in diesel fuel.
• Developed IP-PM-FL, a draft method for determining cumene in kerosene by multi-dimensional gas chromatography, to assist compliance with REACH regulations.

Forward programme

Our focus in 2025 will be:

• Completing studies and publishing IP-PM-FK (determination of the lubricity of methanol) and IP-PM-FI (determination of abrasive particles in methanol) as full test methods.
• Developing a test method to determine the presence of low carbon methyl esters in distillate fuels using super-critical fluid chromatography (SFC). This will enable FAMEs to be more readily detectable, using sustainable chemistry.
• Publishing the Aviation Fuel Survey (2018-2019).
• Undertaking a multi-method flash point study for diesel fuel, to examine the relationship between older methods and newer small-scale, rapid equilibrium methods with environmental and safety benefits.
• Publication of Microbial impact studies relating to the feasibility assessment of Hydrogen and CO2 Subsurface Storage.
• Publication of a literature review on the susceptibility of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to microbial spoilage.

Recent publications