Decarbonizing industry: Strategies and technologies discussion with the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy

Natural gas streams often carry sulfur and mercury. Left in, they damage equipment, put compliance at risk and harm the environment. In this episode, Nennette Richard-Jordan, Head of Sales- Refinery Catalysts of Clariant explains how the company’s high-performance catalysts and sorbents for fixed-bed reactors address that problem. She introduces Clariant and its gas processing setup, then covers the applications and customers it serves. She also walks through the ActiSorb™ GP series, which removes sulfur and mercury from natural gas-derived streams to meet industry standards. Listeners will learn what sets Clariant’s products apart and how its support, from research and application development to on-site service, helps operators get longer cycle times and the highest reliability.

Chay Kin Wah, Regional Chief Executive for ASEAN, Pacific and China and President of Yokogawa Engineering Asia Pte. Ltd., discusses the future of natural gas and LNG in Southeast Asia, digital transformation, cybersecurity and decarbonization efforts shaping the industry.

Recorded live at YNOW2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana, this episode features Sam Hassan, Product Manager at Yokogawa. Hassan discusses the EJX S Series, Yokogawa's new flagship pressure transmitter line succeeding the long-running EJX A and what 30-plus yrs of silicon resonant sensor development brought to the new design. The conversation covers what improved precision means for pipeline and plant operators, how rangeability of up to 400:1 changes transmitter specification and deployment, where early adoption is expected across oil and gas, LNG, chemicals, power and water markets, and the practical case for migrating from EJX A units now vs. waiting for a planned refresh.

In this episode, Gas Processing & LNG sits down with Ebuka Nwakile, Industry Technical Consultant and Global Marketing Manager Midstream, Nalco Water (an Ecolab company), regarding the challenges and solutions in midstream operations, focusing on asset reliability, flow assurance and digital innovations. Mr. Nwakile shares insights on managing contaminants, optimizing systems and leveraging technology for proactive maintenance.

For downstream operators, environmental performance can no longer be separate from operational performance. A missed emissions issue, delayed test result, unreliable monitoring system or fragmented compliance workflow can affect uptime, permit confidence, worker safety, community trust and the ability to move through critical operating windows without disruption. In this discussion, Jenna Granstra, Director of Project Development, Onterris, explores how leading downstream organizations are building environmental programs that directly support operational assurance, reliability and efficiency. 

In this episode, cybersecurity expert Paul Smith, Honeywell Technologies, discusses the evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, the impact of artificial intelligence on cyber threats and strategies for industrial cybersecurity resilience. A must-listen for industry professionals aiming to stay ahead in cybersecurity.

As electricity demand accelerates due to AI data centers, industrial reshoring and increasing electrification, the need for reliable natural gas infrastructure has never been greater. In this episode, we sat down with Dena Wiggins, President & CEO of the Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA), to discuss the policy and infrastructure challenges shaping the future of U.S. energy. The conversation explores why permitting reform has become a critical issue for maintaining grid reliability, the economic and energy security impacts of delayed or canceled pipeline projects and how regulatory uncertainty is influencing investment decisions across the natural gas industry. Wiggins also shares her perspective on natural gas' continuing role in supporting an affordable, resilient electric grid and delivers her message to policymakers on the importance of timely infrastructure approvals.

In this episode, Ernesto Guevara, Director of Sustainability Business Development, Ebara Elliott Energy, discusses sustainability and decarbonization in the energy sector. He explores the three pillars of decarbonization, and the importance of digitalization and workforce development in adapting to new energy technologies. The conversation also highlights the emerging markets of low-carbon ammonia and hydrogen, as well as the strategies for maintaining a sustainable and reliable supply chain.

This episode explores the development and importance of the new API bolted flange joint (BFJ) certification program, featuring insights from industry experts Andri Orphanides, Director of Individual Certification Programs, API, and Andy Smith, Director of Training, VSP Technologies. Learn about the BFJ certification program, the certification process, and industry impact and importance of bolted flange joint competency.

In this episode, Charles McConnell, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Energy, discusses the evolution of carbon capture, utilization,and storage (CCUS), its market dynamics in the U.S. and Europe, and the future of energy transition investments. Insights include the importance of monetizing CO2, industry decarbonization strategies, and technological innovations in monitoring and reporting.