According to the International Energy Agency, some parts of the existing natural gas pipeline networks will need to be converted to hydrogen service to move enough of these alternate product to meet the 2030 and 2050 net zero targets set by world governments.

It is necessary to assess the compatibility of products such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide with the vintage pipeline steel in the current network. New specifications for pipeline operating pressures, allowable defect sizes, or inspection frequencies might be required to ensure the safe reliable operation of the converted pipelines.

The consequences of releases could also change as products such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, pose different threats to life safety and the environment than hydrocarbon products. These consequences can be assessed as part of a quantitative risk assessment using C-FER’s PIRAMID software.

The energy delivery capacity of the pipeline system also has to be assessed. Products such as hydrogen and blends of hydrogen with natural gas have a lower energy density than traditional petroleum products. As a result, operating pressures and compression equipment capacity might need to increase to deliver the same amount of energy to customers.

Underground storage systems such as salt caverns and depleted reservoirs face the same challenges as pipelines: material compatibility, consequences of releases and energy storage capacity.