CRC Evans’ Welding Lessons for Hydrogen and CO₂ Pipelines

As the energy sector transitions toward hydrogen and carbon capture infrastructure, welding engineers are facing new challenges linked to material integrity and long-term performance. In his recent article, CRC Evans’ Head of Welding Engineering, Calum MacLean, highlights how established sour service welding practices provide a strong foundation for these emerging applications.

The paper outlines how risks such as hydrogen embrittlement, hydrogen-assisted cracking, and impurity-driven corrosion in dense-phase CO₂ systems can be effectively managed by evolving proven techniques. Key controls include minimising diffusible hydrogen, carefully managing heat input and cooling rates, and ensuring refined weld and heat-affected zone microstructures. In addition, drawing on recent project success, CRC Evans demonstrates how disciplined welding procedures, supported by qualification testing, can achieve high integrity even in demanding environments.

As well as that, it discusses the increasing role of standards such as IGEM, DNV and ASME B31.12 in shaping requirements for future fuel infrastructure. Rather than reinventing processes, the industry can accelerate delivery of safe, scalable H₂ and CO₂ pipelines by adapting established sour service methodologies, ensuring reliability while meeting evolving regulatory and environmental expectations. You can read the full article here: White Paper Severe Sour Welding Lessons

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