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Regulatory News

02/06/2021

Corinth Pipeworks delivers first hydrogen-certified pipeline project for Snam’s high pressure gas network in Italy

Brussels, 2 June 2021

 

Cenergy Holdings announces that Corinth Pipeworks, its steel pipe segment, together with Snam, one of the world’s largest energy infrastructure companies, is executing orders of 440km pipes. These orders are among the first high-pressure newly manufactured pipes, certified to transport up to 100% hydrogen for a transmission gas pipeline in Europe.

Following the framework of ASME B31.12 Option B, the cooperation between Corinth Pipeworks and Snam provides a technically and economically feasible solution for the safe transportation of hydrogen at high pressures through large diameter / high strength steel pipelines. Thus, pipes produced today and installed in the current gas network can cover the energy mix of tomorrow. As required by this standard, the pipes, in L415ME steel grade with an outside diameter of 26” (660mm) and thicknesses of 11.1mm and 15.9mm, have been tested in laboratory at maximum pressure transporting 100% hydrogen.

“We are very excited to be an innovative producer and early adopter, providing certified large diameter / high strength steel pipes for hydrogen transportation. The potential of hydrogen to build a sustainable energy mix in the future and achieve global decarbonisation targets is significant, and Corinth Pipeworks intends to be an integral part in providing solutions to its customers to reach their goals” says Ilias Bekiros, CEO of Corinth Pipeworks.

“This agreement confirms Snam’s commitment to making its infrastructure increasingly ready to transport not only natural gas and biomethane, but also hydrogen. While we are continuing with analysis and certification of our network, when we replace old pipelines, we now routinely use new pipes tested in the laboratory in line with international standards and able to transport hydrogen up to 100% without changing pressure. Our goal is to deliver fully decarbonized gas by 2050” commented Massimo Derchi, Chief Industrial Assets Officer of Snam.

The entire quantity of hydrogen certified pipes was manufactured in Corinth Pipeworks’ plant in Thisvi, Greece. The scope of supply also includes external 3LPE anti-corrosion coating and internal liquid epoxy lining applied at the same location as pipe manufacturing. With the support of its long-term partner in Italy, PIPEX Italia, Corinth Pipeworks has been a trusted supplier of Snam for over a decade with more than 1,000Km of completed and under execution pipeline projects.

In the context of this common project, Corinth Pipeworks and Snam have successfully concluded the necessary action plan enabling these gas line pipes to be certified for up to 100% hydrogen. The action plan incorporated analysis of hydrogen design codes, development of pertinent qualification specifications and test procedures, design of steel according to recommended practices and specialized long-term test campaigns for the qualification of weld and parent metal crack resistance at design pressure and 100% hydrogen. The action plan was implemented in cooperation with RINA, an acknowledged external certifier, highly experienced in hydrogen testing and fracture mechanics.

 

About Snam

Snam is one of the world’s leading energy infrastructure companies and one of Italy’s largest listed companies by market capitalisation. In addition to Italy, it operates through subsidiaries in Albania (AGSCo), Austria (TAG, GCA), the United Arab Emirates (ADNOC Gas Pipelines), France (Teréga), Greece (DESFA) and the United Kingdom (Interconnector UK), and has also started operations in China and India. It is also a major shareholder in TAP. Number one in Europe in terms of the size of its transport network (over 41,000 km, including international activities) and natural gas storage capacity (about 20 billion cubic metres, including international activities), Snam is also one of the main continental regasification operators, through the Panigaglia terminal (GNL Italia) and the shares in the Livorno (OLT) and Rovigo (Adriatic LNG) facilities in Italy and the Revithoussa (DESFA) facility in Greece. The company is committed to the energy transition with investments in biomethane, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility and hydrogen. Snam also operates in forestation and has set itself the goal of achieving carbon neutrality (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by 2040. For more information, please visit www.snam.it.

 

About Cenergy Holdings

Cenergy Holdings is a Belgian holding company listed on both Euronext Brussels and Athens Stock Exchange, investing in leading industrial companies, focusing on the growing global demand of energy transfer, renewables and data transmission. The Cenergy Holdings portfolio consists of Corinth Pipeworks and Hellenic Cables, companies positioned at the forefront of their respective high growth sectors. Corinth Pipeworks is a world leader in steel pipe manufacturing for the oil and gas sector and major producer of steel hollow sections for the construction sector. Hellenic Cables is one of the largest cable producers in Europe, manufacturing power and telecom cables as well as submarine cables for the aforementioned sectors. For more information about our company, please visit our website at www.cenergyholdings.com.

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