Penspen, a leading international energy consultancy, has been awarded a contract by Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) to provide hydrogen gap analysis services on one of the most strategic energy infrastructure projects in Europe.
Under this new contract, Penspen’s UK-based engineering team will perform a comprehensive desktop and field assessment review of TAP’s above ground installations (AGIs), block valves (BVs) and compressor stations (CSs) to assess the feasibility of introducing hydrogen blends to the existing gas pipeline, supporting TAP’s strategy of capacity expansion for new volumes of hydrogen and other renewable gases to foster long-term sustainability and decarbonisation in the region.
The 877km TAP natural gas pipeline connects to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, crossing Albania and the Adriatic Sea to connect to the gas network in southern Italy. Operational since the end of 2020, TAP is a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor and plays a significant role in boosting Europe’s energy security and supply diversification.
Darren Bartlett, Energy Transition Director at Penspen, commented: “Using our considerable in-house infrastructure repurposing experience, Penspen supports energy operators worldwide by enhancing access to lower-carbon fuels. By assessing the suitability of existing infrastructure, like the TAP pipeline, for hydrogen blends, we continue to support the delivery of cleaner energy to the communities we work in.”
Luca Schieppati, TAP’s Managing Director, commented: “TAP has the potential to become a significant contributor to Europe’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by potentially supplying the EU with carbon-neutral energy sources, such as hydrogen blended with natural gas. Evaluating whether our above-ground installations are hydrogen-ready for hydrogen blending with natural gas, with the support of an experienced supplier like Penspen, is an important step in this broader process. These efforts clearly demonstrate our commitment to innovation and a sustainable energy future for Europe.
Angus Reid, Project Manager for the TAP project at Penspen, said: “We are delighted to be able to support another major international operator in meeting their energy transition goals. Hydrogen enablement of strategic transportation infrastructure is a key factor for long term regional decarbonisation. Supporting the introduction of hydrogen into a major pipeline, will promote hydrogen generation projects in Southeastern Europe, as well as a multitude of hydrogen use opportunities.”
Award builds on Penspen’s hydrogen track record
Leveraging its extensive experience from thousands of completed hydrocarbon projects, Penspen informs the development of future fuel infrastructure, including repurposing existing systems for hydrogen and CO₂ transportation and processing.
The contract from TAP is the latest in a string of hydrogen services awards for the company in the UK and Europe. Last month, Penspen announced they were supporting Latvian gas operator Conexus Baltic Grid with hydrogen blend feasibility and integrity services for its existing natural gas pipeline network. They have also supported Portuguese national gas transmission operator REN-Gasodutos by providing hydrogen readiness assessments down to component level for up to 100% hydrogen blends, and engineering services for the design of nine hydrogen blending stations that will be used to inject and blend hydrogen into the natural gas transmission and distribution system.
In the UK, Penspen supported EET Hydrogen with front end engineering design (FEED), consenting, land, environment, and stakeholder engagement services for the HPP1 low carbon hydrogen plant, an integral part of HyNet, one of two UK Government’s Track 1 clusters for industrial decarbonisation.
About Penspen
Penspen designs, maintains, and optimises global energy infrastructure to improve access to secure and sustainable energy for millions of people across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, UK, and US. Penspen has been providing engineering, project management, asset management, and integrity services to the energy industry worldwide for more than 70 years, and has now grown to employ more than 1,100 specialists, with offices in the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Latin America, and the United States.
Penspen is a proud member of Sidara, a global collaborative of leading specialist firms that design for people and the planet. Sidara’s 19,000 visionaries, thinkers, and innovators from over 300 offices across 60 countries offer clients a broad range of highly specialised services—from architecture and design, engineering, and project management to digital strategy, sustainability consulting, and energy innovation—all under one umbrella.
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