‘Actually, it’s business as usual for us,’ says Johan Kannegieter. Johan is supervising the construction of a natural gas and a hydrogen pipeline near Emmen. The construction of these parallel pipelines is a first for Gasunie: it is the first pipeline to be laid specifically for the transmission of hydrogen. But ‘whether it’s a natural gas pipeline or a hydrogen pipeline, the method of construction, the technology we use, the material for the pipelines, it’s all exactly the same,’ Johan says matter-of-factly.
Gasunie is currently laying a new natural gas pipeline at the Bargermeer industrial park in Emmen, between the site of GETEC PARK.EMMEN (GPE) and the GZI Next energy hub (a collaboration of energy companies, government bodies and knowledge institutions). Given that GPE is required to switch to a different type of gas than the low-calorific Groningen gas by no later than 1 October of this year, a new pipeline is being laid that will connect the site to the high-calorific natural gas pipeline. The synergy of the construction of both a natural gas and a hydrogen pipeline delivers both financial and practical benefits. The construction of the hydrogen pipeline is a case of forward thinking given that the envisaged electrolyser on the GZI site has yet to be completed and the connection to the hydrogen network in the northern part of the Netherlands will also take place at a later date. The hydrogen is expected to be available in 2024, but GPE is already smoothing the way for the switch to this new energy carrier.
Construction technically identical
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is used to position the pipelines next to each other underground, after which the various bores are connected. The pipelines are exactly the same, made of the same material, with the same welded joints and the same coating. The construction of a pipeline specifically for hydrogen is new, but the construction itself is technically identical to that for natural gas. The only difference is the type of valve that will be used: while the current valves block natural gas, they do not stop hydrogen molecules from escaping seeing as these are much smaller than those of natural gas.
What is it like for Johan to work on a hydrogen pipeline project? ‘I really like constructing pipelines as it is; it’s much more enjoyable than building a station for example. So I also think it’s great to be building a hydrogen pipeline,’ Johan says cheerfully.
The project in Emmen is moving along smoothly: it’s easy to drill there thanks to the local sandy soil. The drilling activities are even slightly ahead of schedule. Johan explains, ‘The only issue we have encountered concerns the supply of material; that’s really a general problem these days.’ Two valves will be delivered late for example. ‘We are already laying the pipelines, and the valves will be installed later, as a separate job.’
Ultrasonic testing
Apart from the hydrogen aspect, this project offers tech buff Johan plenty more to enjoy. ‘It’s great that we can use a test method in this project that deviates from the NEN3651 standard. Gasunie has to lay a section of these pipelines under the four-lane bypass that runs along Emmen. The standard for such crossings requires greater pressure to be used during testing. ‘So you have to test this section separately, meaning extra work for the contractor. We avoid this by carrying out double ultrasonic tests of these welds.’ If there is no deviation, you can then test the entire pipeline route under pressure in one go instead of testing section by section. Ultrasonic testing is more efficient, faster and safer. Johan explains, ‘From my research background, I just find it very interesting to work with such an approach.’
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