China's First High-Pressure, Long-Distance Green Hydrogen Pipeline Nears Operations

BAOTOU — The Damao Banner-to-Baotou Long-Distance Hydrogen Pipeline, a flagship project among the National Energy Administration’s (NEA) inaugural batch of hydrogen pilot demonstrations, represents China's first high-pressure, long-distance green hydrogen pipeline.

Designed by China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corp(CPECC), North China Company, the 195-kilometer pipeline originates from the Baiyun Obo Mining District, crossing five banners, counties, and districts, it terminates at the end station in Kundulun District, Baotou—establishing a direct transmission link from renewable hydrogen production hubs to urban industrial centers. Once operational, the pipeline will meet Baotou's industrial demand for green hydrogen while laying the groundwork to export green hydrogen resources to key regional markets, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Shaanxi, Ningxia, and Liaoning.

Unlike conventional natural gas pipelines, high-pressure pure hydrogen pipelines face the industry-wide challenge of hydrogen embrittlement. To address this technical constraints, the CPECC engineering team formulated specialized technical specifications and acceptance criteria for L360MH-grade longitudinal submerged arc welded (LSAW) steel pipes. The quantitative safety evaluation framework centered on the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity index, fracture toughness, and fatigue crack growth rate—striking a commercial and technical balance between high safety standards and long-cycle economic viability for high-pressure pure hydrogen transmission.

The main trunk pipeline is now mostly complete. Challenging construction segments across complex mountainous terrain have entered their final stages, while pipeline pigging and pressure testing are underway across the plain sections. Construction on associated compressor and receiving stations is also accelerating concurrently.