In June 2023, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) agreed that an update to ASME B31.12 was required, in particular relating to the technical standards for converting and operating hydrogen and hydrogen-blend pipelines. It was acknowledged that the updates should be transferred to ASME B31.8. To ensure rapid development and implementation, the Emerging Fuels Institute (EFI) developed a project to create, on ASME’s behalf, Consensus Engineering Requirements (CERs) as a basis. The CERs were completed in May 2024. Work is ongoing to progress the CERs through the ASME committee review process, with an expectation that the new guidelines for hydrogen pipelines will be implemented in the 2026 version of ASME B31.8.

The CERs are predicated on the latest research related to the pipeline transport of hydrogen and blended hydrogen developed from the shared expertise of the global industry. The CER project team consisted of over 40 members, the majority of whom were gas pipeline operators. The group worked in close collaboration with key stakeholders, including the tripartite-members European Pipeline Research Group (EPRG) and the Australian Pipeline Gas Association (APGA).

This paper presents a summary of the process used to create the CERs and the guidance published by the EFI. It focuses on the significant technical issues that had to be resolved. Created some time ago, the requirements in ASME B31.12 have not kept pace with the state of the art. Hence, much of the content in the CERs was newly created, incorporating only specific aspects of ASME B31.12 that were not already covered by ASME B31.8. 

The paper will provide the reader with a summary of the EFI’s work to move the industry forward at a rate that matches the rising demand for hydrogen as an energy carrier.