Knowledge is power: the ground and environment along the route of Hydrogen Network North Sea Canal Area has been carefully mapped
Laying new pipelines or retrofitting current natural gas pipelines is not a simple matter. Before starting any work, we want to know exactly what is going on underground. We also carefully assess the impact of the pipeline on the surrounding area. That is why in recent years we have worked together with Antea Group to carry out condition assessments. Jan Rolf Staal is technical specialist for soil and conditions for Hydrogen Network North Sea Canal Area at Hynetwork. He tells us what condition assessments are, why they are needed, what stage we have reached with them and what we do with the results.
What are condition assessments?
Jan Rolf: ‘With condition assessments we survey the territory and investigate any effects a hydrogen pipeline may have on the surrounding area. This involves studies such as environmental soil research, ecological, archaeological, and cultural technology research, and research into unexploded remnants of war. To this end, cone penetration tests (CPTs) and mechanical drilling were carried out. CPTs and mechanical drilling are techniques for mapping soil properties.’
Why are these assessments necessary?
Jan Rolf: ‘One of the things we use them to check is whether the ideas we thought up at our desks are feasible in practice. Consider, for example, the location of the new hydrogen pipeline and how we plan to construct it. In 2022, we first mapped the terrain with desk studies. This amounts to examining what we already know ‘on paper’ about the particular area where we will soon be working. We then began the outdoor surveys in 2023 and 2024. This involved examining what cables and pipes are already in the ground, whether these data match the information from the desk studies, and how the subsoil is structured. We also map the ecological environment. This includes protected animals living there, their food supply and the availability of water. Once we have all this data, we can make the right choices for the design and construction of the hydrogen pipeline.’
When were the assessments carried out?
Jan Rolf: ‘Antea Group was busy with all these studies in 2023 and the final months of 2024. They took more time than we had previously anticipated. The huge amount of rain last summer meant the ground was often very soggy, which made it impossible for us to carry out the work. At this point, we are as good as done with all the necessary assessments.’
Where were the assessments carried out?
Jan Rolf: ‘We carried out the studies along the entire route where we will soon lay the new pipelines. We have also conducted condition assessments at some locations along the route where we are making existing gas pipelines suitable for hydrogen. These are mainly the locations where we will soon have to dig up the ground to make changes to the existing pipeline.’
What will we do with the results?
Jan Rolf: ‘The results give us all more important information for the next steps. That way, we know what to expect, what we all need to consider, and whether we need to make any adjustments. In short, our engineers can use this information to further develop the design and verify existing assumptions. We also need the study results to apply for the various permits and use them as building blocks to further develop the implementation plan.’
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