This paper presents an overview for repurposing and the potential blockers with respect to current code compliance based on Wood case studies of international code requirements and recent repurposing study work.

Based on rudimental calculations, comparing both energy Natural Gas (NG) and H2 carriers, repurposed pipelines can be capable of achieving circa 80-90% of the energy flow rate if design pressure can be maintained, or 50-60% if the design pressure is de-rated. If other operational restrictions are considered, such as flow velocity it can potentially have additional knock-on effect on the achievable flowrate and consequently to energy ratio. 

The feasibility of pipeline repurposing for hydrogen service is critical to the energy transition. Careful consideration of code requirements, and further research and development currently ongoing is required in order to remove over-conservatisms in design to maximise the achievable energy flow rate when repurposing to hydrogen service.

Keywords:
corrosion management, geologist, hydrogen, production chemistry, h2s management, united states government, midstream oil & gas, upstream oil & gas, hydraulic fracturing, steel mining
Subjects:
Hydraulic Fracturing, Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers, Professionalism, Training, and Education, Information Management and Systems, Communities of practice, Knowledge management, Corrosion inhibition and management (including H2S and CO2)
Copyright 2023, Society of Petroleum Engineers DOI 10.2118/216844-MS
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