A key feasibility study commissioned by Asyad Group,  an integrated logistics provider of the Sultanate of Oman, envisions the development of a 1000 Kilometer-long dedicated pipeline transporting hydrogen from areas of production in southern and central parts of the country to consumer endpoints in the north, Conrad Prabhu.

According to the Oman Daily Observer, the report titled, ‘Potential of the Hydrogen Transition for Ports in the Sultanate of Oman,’ released last month, suggested that a switch to low-emission hydrogen by gas-based power generation plants and some industries as an alternative to natural gas would make dedicated hydrogen pipeline viable.

The report, which was created through a collaborative effort between Dii Desert Energy, a prominent international think-thank, and the Oman Hydrogen Center (OHC) – part of the German University of Technology (GUtech) outlines the potential for about 1000 km-long pipeline, stretching from the south to the north of Oman.

With a diameter of 40 – 42-inch and a flow rate of 2 million m3/hour of hydrogen, the pipeline’s throughput equates to 500,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually, equivalent to 16.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) of low heat value.

“If the energy supply reaches the levels while the demand is still high or even increasing, there is a possibility to build a second pipeline,” the report highlighted.

The report also noted that the cost of the pipelines envisioned in the report would be about $3 billion, depending on the route, the material to be used (e.g., green steel), compression, landscape, and elevation profile.

Hydrogen transportation costs could be minimized by using the already existing pipeline networks, such as those owned and operated by OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), the report highlights.

OQGN is looking into the feasibility of repurposing the existing natural gas pipeline network for transporting a blend of natural gas and hydrogen considered technically feasible and safe without requiring further modification. However, this may pose challenges to some end users who are unable to utilize a 5 percent blend with hydrogen.

Another technically viable option involves upgrading the pipelines and using them to transport hydrogen gas. However, this would require an internal coating to safeguard against corrosion, rendering them completely unusable for the transportation of natural gas. As such, a well-thought-out plan is vital before making a choice.

While the proposed pipeline would be primarily used for transportation, it can also be used as a storage system and a buffer storage tank, given its capacity and vast length, the report adds.