Saipem, an Italian energy engineering and construction giant, has obtained two significant certifications from RINA for its cutting-edge methodology in qualifying materials used in subsea hydrogen pipelines.

Transporting hydrogen via existing or new pipelines poses unique challenges, primarily due to the risk of material degradation. To address this, Saipem developed a comprehensive protocol to assess the performance of metals and welds exposed to hydrogen. This ensures the materials’ compatibility during both the construction and operational phases of pipelines.

The certifications from RINA mark an essential step forward, allowing Saipem’s protocol to be widely adopted for subsea hydrogen pipeline projects. This development is crucial for the energy transition, as it supports the large-scale transportation of gaseous hydrogen.

Earlier, Saipem had announced a significant milestone in subsea pipeline technology by adapting a pipeline lining technology, originally developed by United Pipeline Systems for onshore applications, for offshore and subsea environments. This innovation involves replacing traditional corrosion-resistant alloys with plastics in the pipeline’s inner coating, making it more resilient.

Saipem has also secured a Statement of Qualified Technology from DNV, which validates the technology for use in extreme conditions, such as ultra-deepwater and high-pressure pipelines.

The new technology is expected to reduce overall system costs by up to 40%. Initially, Saipem plans to apply this technology to water injection pipelines, with future expansions into risers. Their target markets include traditional offshore regions like the Middle East and emerging areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil.