In this episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast, we speak with John Calce, Chairman and Founder of America First Refining, about the vision behind the US’ first new greenfield refinery since the 1970s.

We consider the role that it could play in strengthening US refining capacity and energy security, and the significance of its design to process 100% US shale oil.

We also explore the challenges of developing a new refinery in today's energy landscape, its impact on the local community, and the environmental strategies that have been built into the project from the outset.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to customers around the globe, including in the energy market. The company’s broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder coatings, as well as fire protection coatings – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. For more information, visit protective.sherwin.com.

Drones are rapidly becoming a key tool in the tank storage sector, offering new ways to improve safety, efficiency, and data insight. In this episode, Jay Cruz, Vice President of Government Affairs at the International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA), explores how drone technology is reshaping terminal operations.

We consider:

• Whether we are past the trial phase for drone technology.
• Practical examples of how drones can improve safety and security at terminals.
• Potential security concerns and how they can be addressed.
• The implications of the Federal Aviation Administration’s proposed beyond visual line of sight rule change for industrial drone operations.
• And much more.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to customers around the globe, including in the energy market. The company’s broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder coatings, as well as fire protection coatings – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. For more information, visit protective.sherwin.com.

In this episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast, we speak with Andri Orphanides, Director of American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Individual Certification Programs (ICP), about the growing importance of certification and competence in the downstream oil and gas industry.

Andri shares insights into how API’s certification programmes help support safer, more reliable operations, and develop the next generation of inspection professionals worldwide. We also consider how ICP continues to address some of the emerging changes and challenges facing the oil and gas sector.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to customers around the globe, including in the energy market. The company’s broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder coatings, as well as fire protection coatings – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. For more information, visit protective.sherwin.com.

In this episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast, John Zimmerman, Key Account Manager for Sherwin‑Williams Protective & Marine, covers an array of common corrosion challenges energy producers face and how to specify the ideal coatings to mitigate those threats.

From tank interiors to insulated piping, John covers the hidden – and not so hidden – costs of corrosion that hydrocarbon processing facilities face related to downtime and safety risks. He reviews what producers can do to reduce those risks, touching on the importance of:

• Using protective linings that ensure asset integrity and product purity, particularly for tanks housing more aggressive products such as biofuels and corrosive crude oil.
• Assessing high-temperature and high-corrosion environments to determine why existing coatings are failing and what solutions will work better.
• Collaborating with inspectors, contractors, and coatings manufacturers to ensure processes and commodities are understood so they can specify the optimal coatings for applications.
• Asking for help and involving technical service representatives from reputable suppliers when assessing and preparing specifications.
• Planning ahead for plant turnarounds and general maintenance activities so the most critical coatings needs can be addressed first.

Tune in to learn how to better battle corrosion throughout your facility with the right protective coatings solutions.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to customers around the globe, including in the energy market. The company’s broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder coatings, as well as fire protection coatings – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. For more information, visit protective.sherwin.com.

Has the turning point for carbon capture and storage (CCS) arrived? We ask Pedram Fainaloo, Director of the Low Carbon & CCS Segment – North America, Energy Systems at DNV, in this episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast.

Pedram explores the findings of DNV’s latest ‘Energy Transition Outlook’ and outlines some of the most viable CCS opportunities in downstream operations. We’ll also look beyond the short-term to see what role CCS will play as a key decarbonisation lever into the future.

Listen to discover:

• What regions will drive the short-term scale up of CCS.
• The four main families of carbon capture.
• The most suitable capture technologies for downstream facilities.
• What downstream operators should be doing now to avoid missing the window of opportunity.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine.

Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine delivers world-class industry subject matter expertise, unparalleled technical and specification service, and unmatched regional commercial team support to customers around the globe, including in the energy market. The company’s broad portfolio of high-performance coatings and systems – including protective liquid and powder coatings, as well as fire protection coatings – excel at combating corrosion and help customers achieve smarter, time-tested asset protection. For more information, visit protective.sherwin.com.

In this episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast, we’re joined by Jack Blundell, Sales Director, ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation, to discuss some of the game-changing innovations in industrial insulation that can help tackle the critical topic of corrosion.

We explore:

• Why insulation is typically used in industrial facilities.
• The persistent problem of corrosion under insulation (CUI) and the complexity of finding the most appropriate solution to this challenge.
• The transformation of stone (mineral) wool insulation in recent years.
• Key features of mineral wool insulation that can help improve safety in a plant.
• And much more.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation. Designed for durability and sustainability, ROCKWOOL’s high-performance stone wool insulation helps control process temperatures, reduce energy loss, mitigate corrosion under insulation, and enhance fire and acoustic protection. The result – safer operations, improved asset integrity, and long-term performance across critical process industries. Learn more at https://rti.rockwool.com.

Simon Lack, Managing Partner at SL Advisors LLC and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Catalyst Energy Infrastructure Fund (MLXIX), talks us through natural gas’ emerging role as a bridge fuel that is powering two fast-growing industries: AI-driven data centres and US LNG exports.

We consider:

• Emerging US hotspots where natural gas supply, pipeline access, and data centre development align.
• How well-prepared the US power system is to support the AI data centre boom.
• The rising trend of onsite natural gas generation for AI loads.
• The connection between LNG expansion in the US and domestic gas demand.
• What the emerging triangle between gas supply, LNG terminals, and data centre hubs means for regulatory policy and investors.
• And much more.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation. Designed for durability and sustainability, ROCKWOOL’s high-performance stone wool insulation helps control process temperatures, reduce energy loss, mitigate corrosion under insulation, and enhance fire and acoustic protection. The result – safer operations, improved asset integrity, and long-term performance across critical process industries. Learn more at https://rti.rockwool.com.

Maurits van Tol, CEO of Catalyst Technologies, Johnson Matthey, joins us to discuss Johnson Matthey’s vision for the global energy transition.

We explore how catalyst and additive technologies are evolving to handle more complex feedstocks while maintaining performance, and which advances could improve efficiency and reduce carbon intensity in hydrogen, syngas, and chemicals production.

We assess the role that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will play in reducing emissions in the near to medium-term. Maurits outlines the most promising production pathways and technology innovations that have the greatest potential to improve efficiency and/or reduce costs.

Maurits also considers the most effective policy mechanisms and regional approaches for creating stable demand and investment confidence.

This episode of the Hydrocarbon Engineering Podcast is sponsored by ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation. Designed for durability and sustainability, ROCKWOOL’s high-performance stone wool insulation helps control process temperatures, reduce energy loss, mitigate corrosion under insulation, and enhance fire and acoustic protection. The result – safer operations, improved asset integrity, and long-term performance across critical process industries. Learn more at https://rti.rockwool.com.