APA Group has completed laboratory testing of Parmelia Gas Pipeline materials in a pressured hydrogen environment, bringing Australia’s first prospective conversion of a gas transmission pipeline to a pure hydrogen service one step closer.
APA’s research is putting a 43-kilometre portion of the Parmelia Gas Pipeline in Western Australia (WA) to the test.
The completion of the second phase of research, which was partially funded by the WA Government‘s Renewable Hydrogen Fund, has successfully demonstrated that the existing 43-kilometre section of steel transmission pipeline can transport pure or blended hydrogen without reducing the operating pressure.
According to APA Group CEO and Managing Director Adam Watson, this is an important milestone in Australia’s energy transition as we get closer to hydrogen becoming a key component of the country’s future energy mix, particularly for industrial clients.
“Our research indicates that it’s technically feasible, safe and efficient to convert the 430kilometre section of the Parmalia Gas Pipeline into a 100% hydrogen service — this would be an Australian first,” Watson said.
Watson stated that the research is highly exciting because it implies that Australia’s current gas transmission pipeline network has the potential to play a key role in linking hydrogen production centres to industrial sites across the country.
“APA’s 15,000 kilometres of gas pipelines are linked and adjacent to some of Australia’s best geographical areas for both blue and green hydrogen production. This research provides us with the knowledge that can be used to assess the potential future role they could play in providing a hydrogen supply service,” Watson added.
The fundamental goal of the APA research is to understand and quantify the effect of hydrogen on a portion of Parmelia Gas Pipeline material so that the pipeline’s safety and operational efficiency may be properly assessed.
Based on this research, APA has also created a Pipeline Screening Tool, which gives a high-level evaluation of its pipeline assets’ hydrogen readiness based on key pipeline material and operational characteristics.
“When we take the findings of this research and apply it across our network, initial assessments using the Pipeline Screening Tool indicates there is a high likelihood that around half of APA’s natural gas pipeline assets could be used for hydrogen transportation, in 100% pure or blended form, with no, or small, changes to their current operating profile,” Watson said.
According to Watson, further study and materials testing will be necessary for the balance of APA’s pipelines, which are mostly high-strength steel pipelines running at greater pressure, to evaluate if any adjustments in operating pressure are required to preserve pipeline integrity while transporting hydrogen.
“Following the application of the Pipeline Screening Tool, detailed assessment and testing would then need to be undertaken of each specific asset, as well as the equipment of our customers,” he added.
Before going on to the delivery phase, the research may now proceed to phase three, which involves extensive safety evaluations and conversion preparations.
The detailed conversion plans will evaluate preparing the Parmelia Gas Pipeline’s 43km stretch for hydrogen service, including any upgrades to auxiliary equipment such as above-ground facilities, as well as researching supply and offtake agreements needed to fulfil customer demand.
In May 2022, APA and Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy, and Fertilisers (WesCEF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a pre-feasibility study to determine whether the Parmelia Gas Pipeline can transport green hydrogen to WesCEF’s Kwinana production facilities.
The Parmelia Gas Pipeline research area has potential for green hydrogen development, according to the pre-feasibility findings. APA and WesCEF are proposing a feasibility study.
“There is real momentum behind this project with the success of both the hydrogen testing on the section of pipeline and the pre-feasibility study to produce and transport hydrogen,” Watson said.
“Our support for the development of a hydrogen industry is an important pillar in our ambition for a lower emissions future. At the same time, it is an example of how we are actively exploring ways to reduce and avoid our own emissions,” Watson added.
In conjunction with the Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), Australia’s first specialised hydrogen test facility was established at the University of Wollongong.
The knowledge gained from the Parmelia Gas Pipeline conversion project is assisting in the establishment of Australian hydrogen pipeline standards.
According to APA, Australia’s long-term net zero goals and federal and state hydrogen objectives depend on large-scale hydrogen transmission. The WA Government has announced plans for hydrogen to comprise 1% of the state’s primary energy network, the South West Interconnected System (SWIS), as a first step towards a Renewable Hydrogen Target.
