According to the company, the product qualification is a first among North American line pipe producers. The pipe is intended for high-pressure, 100% hydrogen transmission. 

A full-scale mill trial was conducted at the company’s Regina, Sask., Canada, plant, which produced 20-inch OD by 0.5-inch X65 HFW pipe.

“Body, weld, and heat-affected zone specimens from four different heats were tested successfully for fracture toughness in accordance with ASME standard B31.12,” ENA said. “After 1,000 hours under 100% gaseous hydrogen environment at 100 bar (~1,500 psi), all specimens met the qualification requirement with no crack extension for very high applied load (KI,app). In addition, the pipe samples passed all API 5L PSL2 mechanical property tests, as well as NACE standard HIC and SSC-4PB tests.”

The company said hydrogen is a core component of its alternative energy market strategy, which also includes carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), geothermal, and wind energy. 

“Under the leadership of Muhammad Arafin, vice president, and Muhammad Rashid, senior program manager, the research and development team continues to focus on several projects including: new product development for the transmission and storage of hydrogen and CO₂, solutions for geothermal drilling, new standards development, and welding research,” the company said. 

The company also said it is establishing a U.S.-based research and development center focused on hydrogen and CO₂ advancements.