September 2026

The September issue of Hydrocarbon Engineering opens with an exploration of African oil developments by Contributing Editor, Nancy Yamaguchi, with a particular focus how turmoil in the Middle East could potentially bolster investments in the region. The issue then explores a number of key topics affecting the downstream sector, such as turbomachinery and compressors, CCUS and decarbonisation, digital technology and AI, corrosion protection, pumps, valves, seals, and many more.

This month's front cover is brought to you by FS-Elliott.

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African petroleum: volatility and opportunity
Nancy Yamaguchi, Contributing Editor, explores how turmoil in the Middle East could prove beneficial for African oil developments, notably in expanding export opportunities.

Looping the carbon molecule in a lower-carbon future
Miro Cavkov, Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC), explores how refineries and petrochemical plants can adapt existing assets through CCUS to facilitate decarbonisation demands.

Establishing a circular carbon economy
Corinne Ziege, Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group, Germany, considers how carbon capture can become a foundational element of a low-carbon economy.

Foundations for industrial AI
Simon Rogers, KBC (A Yokogawa Company), discusses how physics-based models, AI, and contextualised enterprise data are converging to improve downstream performance and decision-making.

Preparing for the future
Joseph Doerfler, FS-Elliott, explores how AI infrastructure and renewable energy are reshaping air and gas compression requirements.

New era thinking
Markus Schürmann and Carl Leonhards, Everllence, Germany, consider how developments in syngas compression can impact green ammonia production.

Advancing compressor technology
Klaus Brun and Karl Wygant, Ebara Elliott Energy, alongside Rainer Kurz, RKSBenergy, discuss technical advancements in control and application for integrally geared compressors.

Systems engineering for surge control – part 2
Attilio Brighenti, Christian Casonato, and Alessandro Mafolino, S.A.T.E. (Systems and Advanced Technologies Engineering S.r.l.u.), Italy, consider the side-effects of early design decisions.

Beneath the wrap
Hani Taan, NanoTech Materials, explores how operators can address corrosion under insulation through preventative measures in downstream facilities.

Reliability amid abrasion and corrosion
Todd Gerstenberger, ITT Goulds Pumps, explores how early investment in pump design and specification decisions can outweigh upfront savings through reduced maintenance challenges and improved component life.

Delayed coker valve advancements
Luc Vernhes, Mike Jacobs, and Duke Tran, Velan Inc., explain how innovations in steam purge optimisation and digital integration are helping to advance the reliability and profitability of delayed coker units.

Extending sealing performance limits
Seema Gangatirkar, Greene Tweed, discusses how metal spring-energised seals deliver improved reliability and performance in extreme environments.

September 2026

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