Director of Reporting Presents Paper on Risks of Repurposed Hydrogen Pipelines

Last week at PTC Asia, Tim Harris, Director of AI, Software & Reporting, presented our latest paper: “Managing Risks in Repurposed Hydrogen Pipelines: A Comparison of Inspection Methods.” 

As hydrogen adoption accelerates, many operators are repurposing older methane pipelines—a cost-effective & rapid solution that also carries risks.  

Tim’s presentation explored how hydrogen's unique properties (embrittlement, cracking, and high explosive potential) demand inspection tools with high crack-detection precision. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Classic UT delivers the highest crack detection accuracy, but needs a liquid couplant. 

• EMAT and ART can run in gas and offer versatility—but with serious sensitivity trade-offs. 

• MFL, while reliable for corrosion, struggles to detect hydrogen-induced cracking. 

Choosing the right inspection method is essential to ensure integrity and safety in repurposed hydrogen pipelines.