The Future is Now: How STATS Group’s Breakthrough is Making Hydrogen Pipelines Safe for UK Net Zero
- STATS Group successfully isolated a live, high-pressure 18-inch hydrogen pipeline.
- This achievement is key for SGN’s LYS Futures project, demonstrating how existing natural gas infrastructure can be repurposed for hydrogen.
- The patented BISEP™ tool provides a fail-safe, leak-tight hydrogen pipeline isolation solution, even under high pressure.
- New procedures for hot tapping and leak-tight line-stopping on hydrogen pipelines were successfully developed and executed.
- This advancement removes a major barrier to the UK’s Net Zero targets and the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.
Imagine a future where the pipes beneath our feet, once carrying fossil fuels, are now safely transporting clean hydrogen. That future is getting a lot closer, thanks to a significant breakthrough by pipeline technology specialists, STATS Group. They’ve successfully performed a safe isolation on a live 18-inch high-pressure hydrogen pipeline. This isn’t just a technical win; it’s a huge leap for the UK’s journey towards its ambitious Net Zero targets, making the large-scale repurposing of existing infrastructure a tangible reality. It truly marks a new era for energy distribution.
Why is SGN LTS Futures crucial for repurposing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen?
The SGN LTS Futures project is leading the charge in figuring out if the Local Transmission System (LTS) can be switched from carrying natural gas to carrying hydrogen. This initiative is absolutely vital for the UK to hit its climate change goals and achieve net-zero emissions. The trial’s success means that SGN’s massive 11,600km UK gas network could indeed be transformed to transport hydrogen instead of traditional hydrocarbons. This would dramatically slash carbon emissions and set the stage for a truly green energy system.
They focused specifically on a 30km pipeline stretch from Grangemouth to Granton in Edinburgh. The valuable insights from this live trial are expected to become a detailed roadmap for converting the entire LTS to hydrogen nationwide. Building this robust and reliable net-zero energy infrastructure for the UK depends on such a conversion.
How does STATS Group’s BISEP™ tool safely isolate high-pressure hydrogen pipelines?
At the core of this monumental success is STATS Group’s patented BISEP™ tool. This innovative technology, already used widely in global oil and gas operations, was validated and deployed as a leak-tight line-stopping solution specifically for safe operation on high-pressure hydrogen pipelines. The BISEP™ tool’s ability to deliver a fail-safe, 100% leak-tight double-block-and-bleed isolation proved absolutely essential during the live trial.
Working with high-pressure hydrogen comes with its own set of challenges. The BISEP™ tool underwent rigorous testing to ensure it could perform safely and reliably under these conditions, achieving zero-leakage isolation. This not only makes critical operations much safer but also significantly reduces environmental risks – a key consideration in any energy transition project. Being able to safely isolate sections of live pipelines without venting product into the atmosphere is a crucial step towards reducing emissions, whether the gas is hydrocarbon or hydrogen.
What technical hurdles did STATS Group overcome to safely hot tap and line-stop hydrogen pipelines?
The project involved extensive and technically demanding work. It required installing a DNV proprietary Grouted Tee, which gave STATS the access needed to perform a series of complex tasks: hot tapping, line-stopping, swarf dispersal, and completion plug installation. The partnership between STATS and DNV was critical, with DNV supplying a Grouted Tee designed for hydrogen use, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional live welding.
Neil Mackay, Senior Business Development Manager at STATS Group, highlighted their groundbreaking accomplishment: “Working together, SGN and STATS have shown the BISEP™ tool is the world’s only double block and bleed hydrogen pipeline isolation technology for high-pressure systems. For the first time ever, hot tapping and leak-tight line-stopping operations have been successfully carried out on a UK hydrogen pipeline, tackling challenges like horizontal deployment, swarf dispersal, and hydrogen’s unique characteristics.” He further explained that this demanded not just adapting processes but also creating new procedures, specialized tools, and strict assurance processes.
This new ability to perform repairs, maintenance, or modifications safely and efficiently on live hydrogen pipelines removes a long-standing obstacle. Before this, there was no proven hot-tapping or line-stopping method for hydrogen, making any work on such infrastructure incredibly complicated and risky. The introduction of the BISEP™ tool has truly changed everything.
How does this hydrogen pipeline breakthrough accelerate UK decarbonization and energy readiness?
The impact of this success goes far beyond the Grangemouth to Granton pipeline. Neil Mackay emphasized the collaborative spirit and broader implications: “SGN led the LTS Futures programme, and STATS provided world-class line stopping services, working with DNV to eliminate a fundamental barrier to hydrogen deployment. This innovation will support every UK network operator, benefit millions of customers, and speed up decarbonisation.”
This project is a genuine “world-first,” born from intense collaboration, clever innovation, and sheer determination. It has generated a strong foundation of evidence and operational know-how that can be directly applied across the entire UK gas network and potentially globally. This crucial experience boosts the nation’s capacity to transition to a hydrogen economy.
Tony Green, SGN’s Chief Strategy and Regulation Officer, agreed, stating, “This landmark project is a major milestone for SGN and the wider energy sector, demonstrating that the UK’s gas infrastructure can be repurposed for a net-zero future. It showcases both infrastructure and workforce readiness for hydrogen, with our skilled engineers gaining vital experience through the live trial.” He also acknowledged the essential role of all partners, including INEOS, in making a complex idea a resounding success.
What’s next for hydrogen in the UK’s energy future after these pipeline advancements?
Being able to successfully isolate and modify pipelines, as shown in the LTS Futures trial, is absolutely vital for the entire hydrogen transition. With proven methods now available for safe and efficient intervention on high-pressure hydrogen pipelines, the path to a hydrogen-based energy system seems clearer and more achievable than ever. This breakthrough isn’t just a technical win; it’s a crucial step towards unlocking hydrogen’s full potential as a clean energy carrier, strengthening the UK’s position as a leader in sustainable energy innovation.
The ongoing collaboration between industry leaders like STATS Group, SGN, and DNV will be key to expanding these solutions. This ensures that the necessary infrastructure and operational expertise are in place to support a widespread shift to hydrogen. Ultimately, it’s about more than just meeting targets; it’s about building a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy future for generations to come.
How can you stay informed and contribute to the hydrogen economy?
Want to keep up with the latest advancements in hydrogen infrastructure and sustainable energy? Follow STATS Group and SGN for ongoing updates on their groundbreaking projects. Discover how these innovations are shaping the future of energy and contributing to a greener planet. Explore how your business can adapt to or benefit from the evolving hydrogen economy.
- Stay updated on hydrogen energy developments: UK Hydrogen Strategy
- Learn more about STATS Group’s solutions: STATS Group Official Site
- Explore SGN’s Net Zero initiatives: SGN Net Zero
