April 2026

The April 2026 issue of World Pipelines centres on how pipeline infrastructure is evolving to support the energy transition while maintaining integrity and reliability. A key theme is the uncertain trajectory of hydrogen, with the keynote questioning whether the hydrogen economy can realistically deliver without coordinated development of production, transport, and demand. Alongside this, the issue explores the often-overlooked role of pipeline networks as critical, ‘invisible’ infrastructure underpinning regions like Texas, while also addressing practical challenges such as distortion management, crack detection, and extending pipeline lifespan through improved inspection and data-driven approaches. Offshore topics include long-term flexible pipe integrity and the repurposing of pipelines for new uses like hydrogen, while broader industry progress is reflected in IPLOCA’s 60 year milestone and the rapid growth of HDD technologies to meet increasing global project demand.

This month's front cover is brought to you by SCAIP.

Contents

The hydrogen economy: built or broken?
Gordon Cope, Contributing Editor.

Invisible infrastructure
Garry Hanmer, Principal Simulation Consultant, Atmos International, UK.

Setting a global standard
Robert H. Shelton, CEO and President, and Robert M. Hertzberg, Director, H2C Safety Pipe, Inc.

Texas runs on the infrastructure we don't see
Shelli Myers, Chair, Texas Pipeline Association, USA.

Managing distortion
Morgan Sledd and Gilberto Lopez, Stark Solutions, USA.

A new era of crack inspection in gas pipelines
Matthias Hilvert and Thomas Beuker, ROSEN Group.

Improving pipeline lifespan
Manuel Hernandez, Pipeline Integrity Engineer, NDT Global.

Celebrating 60 years
Georges Hage, Executive Director, IPLOCA.

30 years of flexible pipe integrity management
Ian MacLeod, Technical Director, Wood.

A structured approach to offshore pipeline repurposing
Victor Ng, Principal Engineer, and David Baxter, Hydrogen Pipeline Materials Specialist, Kent.

Rising to the challenge
Richard Levings, Project Manager, American Augers.