Saipem SPA, an Italian energy engineering and construction major, has secured an approval in principle and Technology Qualification certifications from classification society RINA for its methodology in qualifying materials used in subsea hydrogen pipelines.
Saipem said that transporting hydrogen through existing or new pipelines presents unique challenges, primarily due to the potential for material degradation. Saipem developed a robust protocol to assess the performance of metals and welds when exposed to hydrogen, ensuring pipeline compatibility during both construction and operation, it said in a press release.
The certifications obtained from RINA pave the way for large-scale use of the Saipem protocol for qualifying the performance of materials used in the construction of subsea hydrogen pipelines for the transportation of gaseous hydrogen, a key solution for the energy transition, Saipem said.
Saipem earlier declared a “major industrial milestone in subsea pipeline technology” after upgrading a pipeline lining technology originally developed by United Pipeline Systems for onshore use to suit offshore and subsea environments.
The innovation, which replaces corrosion-resistant alloys with plastics in the pipeline’s inner coating, has earned a Statement of Qualified Technology from DNV. This certification validates the technology for use in even the most challenging conditions, including ultra-deepwater and high-pressure pipelines, according to Saipem.
Saipem expects the new technology to reduce overall system costs by up to 40 percent. The company plans to initially focus on water injection pipelines before expanding its application to risers. Target markets include traditional offshore regions like the Middle East and frontier areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, Saipem said.
|Rigzone Staff