Thyssengas GmbH connects the future German-Dutch hydrogen network: Conversion of the Vlieghuis-Ochtrup natural gas transport system picks up speed

Thyssengas GmbH is planning to realise the first cross-border hydrogen connection between Vlieghuis (Netherlands) and Ochtrup (North Rhine-Westphalia) by 2027 by converting a natural gas transport system between the two countries. Accordingly, there was great interest in taking part in the inspection pigging to which the company invited in Hoogstede.

Gruppenfoto von Projektpartnern mit einem Inspektionsmolch für den Gastransport auf einer Thyssengas-Baustelle.
Taking a close look at the pipeline pig (from left to right): Lutz Reimann, Head of Operations/Maintenance Department Gas Transport Pipelines Thyssengas GmbH, Ansgar Duling, Mayor of the joint municipality of Emlichheim, Sandra Cichon, First District Councillor of the County of Bentheim, Thomas Berling, Mayor of Nordhorn, Martin Hofschröer, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Bad Bentheim, Jörg Externest, Site Manager Recklinghausen/Head of Project Thyssengas GmbH, Dr. Carsten Leder Head of Sales Thyssengas GmbH, Sabine Vahley, Manager Sales & Regulation RWE Gas Storage West GmbH, Dr Axel Gillhaus, Operations Manager Natural Gas Storage Kalle RWE Gas Storage West GmbH


On site, Sandra Cichon, First District Councillor of the district of Grafschaft Bentheim, Ansgar Duling, Mayor of the joint municipality of Emlichheim, Mayor Thomas Berling, Mayor of Nordhorn and Martin Hofschröer, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Bad Bentheim, took the opportunity to gain an insight into the conversion work.

The event in Hoogstede focussed on the so-called pigging of the approximately 12 km long pipeline section between Vlieghuis and Kalle. This involves an intelligent pig - a type of robot - travelling through the pipeline with the natural gas flow. The pig checks and documents the condition of the pipeline. This allows the steel pipes, weld seams and the integrity of the pipeline to be checked down to the last detail and the pipeline to be tested for hydrogen suitability. Thyssengas also uses the pigs regularly during operation to ensure maximum safety of the pipeline network.

Dr Thomas Gößmann, Chairman of the Management Board of Thyssengas GmbH: "As a company, we are on the way to a future characterised by hydrogen and other green gases. At the same time, we benefit from over 100 years of experience in operating a long-distance gas network. With the conversion of the cross-border H2 pipeline Vlieghuis-Ochtrup, we are creating a significant supply perspective for the H2 ramp-up in Germany. And today you can see how our colleagues are using their expertise and state-of-the-art technology to ensure the safe operation of tomorrow's H2 pipelines."

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