CRC Evans, a
leading provider of welding and coating services, has successfully completed
work on a Romanian hydrogen pipeline project, enhancing the company’s presence
in the hydrogen sector.
The company’s experienced welding team was instrumental to the
successful delivery of more than 5,100 mainline welds across a 50km pipeline in
the Podisor region of the Black Sea, comprising both 40-inch and 48-inch
diameters at 12.5mm wall thickness.
Initially intended to transport natural gas, the pipeline was
redesigned to be constructed as ‘hydrogen ready’ in a move to support lifetime
extension and future use.
CRC Evans collaborated with the end-client to understand the
requirements of the infrastructure and provide an innovative solution based on
a modification of an established welding approach, helping to address the
additional challenges that working with hydrogen can bring.
There is a heightened risk of stress corrosion across the pipeline
as a consequence of hydrogen permeating the steel microstructure. The company’s
skilled personnel ensured low steel hardness throughout the weld, improving
operational outcomes by combatting embrittlement and the increased risk of
pipeline steel cracking.
This allowed CRC Evans to deliver a reliable welding procedure
using its mechanised P625 dual torch welding system, where the resultant
qualified parameters were able to meet the specific project requirements.
Completion of the project marks notable growth for the company in
the hydrogen welding space, further enhancing its expertise in an emerging
field.
Leon Dashwood, Strategic Growth Director at CRC Evans, said: “As
the global trajectory towards net zero accelerates, the drive to reduce global
emissions at pace has risen to the top of the agenda. Hydrogen can play a key
role in this transition, with governments across the world now considering new
strategies to support decarbonisation goals and plans for targeted investment
across industrial, transportation and energy sectors.
“Creation of new infrastructure to support the manufacture,
storage, and transportation of hydrogen, ensuring its safe and reliable
delivery, will prove vital at this time. This recent success reinforces CRC
Evans leading position as a trusted partner in these areas."
CRC Evans continues to support the global energy and wider
infrastructure sectors, with diversification efforts contributing to new
service offerings across renewable industries such as wind, carbon capture and
nuclear.