ROSEN Develops Research Project on Asset Integrity in Repurposing Natural Gas Infrastructure for Hydrogen

The ROSEN Group developed a research report commissioned by the Energy Institute to identify current knowledge gaps regarding repurposing natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen. The report is based on a literature review of all ongoing technical work, joint industry projects, and research in this field worldwide.

“The conversion of the existing natural gas infrastructure to the transportation of hydrogen is an important element of the energy transition. While the threats operators face with natural gas infrastructure are still relevant, there are certain characteristics of hydrogen that may increase the risk of some threats more than others”, explains Neil Gallon, Principal Engineer at ROSEN. “As hydrogen is a relatively new energy source, there are at this time some knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to safely use the existing assets while transitioning to a decarbonized future.”

Together with the Energy Institute, the ROSEN Group is working on filling these knowledge gaps by reviewing all ongoing technical work, joint industry projects, and research worldwide. The goal of this research is to consolidate all knowledge into a guidance document to enable pipeline operators and other energy companies to safely introduce hydrogen into their existing natural gas infrastructure. The research report focuses on pipelines and certain associated installations from (but not including) the hydrogen production plant up to the customer's inlet valves.

Whilst work on an initial report identified various gaps and areas requiring further work for safe repurposing, this new report identified a significant amount of work that at least partially addresses these gaps already. The projects examined in the report already provide initial insights but are still ongoing and cannot yet answer all the questions.

„Our aim is to support operators mastering the challenges brought on by the energy transition”, says Marion Erdelen-Peppler, Global Business Line Manager for Hydrogen at ROSEN. “Our unique inspection and testing data pool, combined with our thorough knowledge of the conditions of countless miles of pipeline, empowers us to assess which of these knowledge gaps as addressed in the Energy Institute report are extremely relevant and urgently need to be addressed. The idea of a guidance document for operators and other energy companies is extremely useful for the industry.”

Two employees look at a laptop while standing in the hydrogen lab.In ROSEN’s hydrogen laboratory in Lingen, Germany, various material and exposure test can be carried out in a hydrogen atmosphere.

About the Energy Institute

The Energy Institute is the chartered professional membership body for the energy industry, supporting over 23000 individuals working in or studying energy and 200 energy companies worldwide. The Institute provides learning and networking opportunities to support professional development, as well as professional recognition and technical and scientific knowledge resources on energy in all its forms and applications.

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Acerca del Grupo ROSEN

El Grupo ROSEN es un proveedor líder mundial de soluciones de vanguardia en todas las áreas de la cadena de procesos de integridad. Desde sus orígenes como empresa unipersonal en 1981, ROSEN ha crecido rápidamente y continúa haciéndolo. En la actualidad, la empresa cuenta con un equipo de más de 4.000 empleados que operan en más de 120 países.

Productos y servicios de ROSEN:

  • Inspección de activos industriales críticos para garantizar operaciones fiables de los más altos estándares y eficacia
  • Consultoría de ingeniería personalizada que proporciona una gestión eficaz de la integridad de los activos
  • Producción y suministro de sistemas y productos novedosos personalizados
  • Investigación y desarrollo de vanguardia, de actualidad y orientados al mercado que proporcionan productos y servicios de "valor añadido"

Media Contact

Retrato de Jörn Wunderlich, Grupo ROSEN

Jörn Wunderlich

Head of Communications

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