The buildout of the hydrogen economy is about far more than just headline-grabbing new electolyser plants, turbine installations or carbon capture and storage facilities. A wide range of technology and components must be created or reengineered to meet the specific demands of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Baker Hughes is strategically investing for growth in non-metallic materials that its customers require for the energy transition. Hatem Haidar, global vice president of flexible pipe systems – onshore, Baker Hughes, speaks to Hydrogen Economist about the challenges presented by the hydrogen economy and what his company is working on in this space.

One recent related launch was of a flexible, lightweight reinforced thermoplastic pipe that offers an environmentally superior alternative to resource-intensive onshore steel pipes. Haidar led the launch of the spoolable design, which addresses the corrosion and cost of ownership challenges with conventional steel pipe in the energy sector.

Such products will “play a key role” and the new flexible pipe is a “a vital component” of tomorrow’s energy and industrial sectors “enabling the transport of multiple energy sources, including hydrogen and natural gas”, according to Haider.

“Our strategy is to adapt what we have learned in the past—for example from the refinery sector—and use our core products to advance the hydrogen value chain” Haidar, Baker Hughes

It will be manufactured at Baker Hughes’ state-of-the-art facility in Houston, Texas. The 400,000ft² facility will have up to four times more capacity than its existing flexible pipe solutions plant.

Haidar spoke to Hydrogen Economist after the launch, which took place at the Baker Hughes annual meeting at the start of February that featured a panel discussion dedicated to hydrogen.

How important are hydrogen products to Baker Hughes?

Haidar: Very. We view hydrogen as a fuel of the future and our investment in technologies reflects that. Hydrogen should be part of the energy mix which will help us all reach our Paris Climate Accord goals. The opportunity to use hydrogen as a zero-emissions fuel source has significant growth potential. We have technology that can serve the entire hydrogen value chain—from production to transportation and utilisation.

Specifically, regarding our non-metallic spoolable pipe portfolio, we are actively working with industry players, regulators and independent experts on materials and designs that limit permeation while delivering a reliable, H₂ embrittlement free system for hydrogen transportation.

What unique challenges do products for the hydrogen economy, such as pipes, present to manufacturers?

Haidar: Developing technologies that address customer challenges such as corrosion, permeation and abrasion in an economically competitive manner is challenging at all levels, especially when it comes to the manufacturing process.

The design philosophy and construction methodologies of composite pipes are complex and rely on materials science and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Baker Hughes’ deep expertise in technology development has been at the forefront of technology optimisation in areas such as our differentiated feature of co-extruded liners using multiple polymers for enhanced performance in applications such as CO₂ and H₂.

Is the scale up of flexible pipe production part of a wider move to support the hydrogen economy?

Haidar: At Baker Hughes our technology has applications across hydrogen production, liquefaction, transportation, storage and utilisation. Thanks to continuous investment throughout the years, and our experience acquired in downstream applications, we are not newcomers in the hydrogen space.

Our strategy is to adapt what we have learned in the past—for example from the refinery sector—and use our core products to advance the hydrogen value chain. In July 2020, we announced a partnership with Snam where, together, we tested the world’s first hydrogen blend turbine for gas networks. This is just one example, and there are different aspects of the hydrogen value chain to consider. We believe there is a fundamental opportunity in the spoolable non-metallic pipe space as well that we are exploring.

Ambitious plans for hydrogen are now being announced on a regular basis. Has the ‘fuel of the future’ now arrived?

Haidar: Baker Hughes views hydrogen as a fuel of the future. However, we also know the hydrogen revolution will not happen overnight. Companies must be constant in their intent to invest and develop it for the long-term.

Furthermore, hydrogen does not stand on its own, you must look at the entire system in which it plays and given the energy transition. This means looking at how hydrogen fits in with other alternative sources of energy.

As an energy technology company, we are developing solutions for emissions reduction and decarbonisation rather than for a fuel source. It is what we call the dual challenge—increasing access to energy while decreasing emissions from energy. However, hydrogen is an important part of this—it is a fuel of the future.

Is demand already picking up for hydrogen-ready equipment?

Haidar: Current market conditions and supportive government policies globally are making our existing technology, expertise and capabilities in emerging energy spaces more relevant and desirable. We see more opportunities for growth as energy and industry transitions, including in hydrogen.

400,000ft2 – Baker Hughes facility to be dedicated to flexible pipe

To be a bit more specific about composite pipes, we are already working with different industry players on design, qualification and feasibility studies for new pipeline networks as well as pipeline re-purposing/retrofit for hydrogen blend and pure transportation.

What hydrogen-related products are in development and what can we expect to be launched in the coming year?

Haidar: We continue to build upon our storied past, leading the way forward as energy transitions into the future. We are proud of our reputation.

Baker Hughes has and will continue to be at the forefront of leading in the technology space, while being safe, keeping our employees and customers and the environment protected. If we want to continue this path and be relevant for the next 100 years, hydrogen will play a material role.

This will require listening to our customers and responding to their needs while demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility. A testimony to this is our recently launched next generation of composite spoolable pipes with enhanced performance for flow management and fluid transportation.

Based on our customer requirements, we expanded our technical envelope and will be able to help more industry players to address their current challenges with pipeline reliability and permeation concerns. One of our founders, RC Baker, said it best: ‘We are always working on something new’.

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Author: Alastair O’Dell<BR>Senior Editor