CRC Evans has successfully completed work on a Romanian H₂ pipeline project, enhancing the company’s presence in the H₂ sector. The company’s experienced welding team was instrumental in the successful delivery of more than 5,100 mainline welds across a 50 km pipeline in the Podisor region of the Black Sea, comprising both 40-inch and 48-inch diameters at 12.5 mm wall thickness.

Initially intended to transport natural gas, the pipeline was redesigned to be constructed as ‘H₂ 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 H₂ can bring.

There is a heightened risk of stress corrosion across the pipeline because of H₂ 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 mechanized 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 H₂ 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. H₂ can play a key role in this transition, with governments across the world now considering new strategies to support decarbonization goals and plans for targeted investment across industrial, transportation and energy sectors.

“Creation of new infrastructure to support the manufacture, storage, and transportation of H₂, 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."