Dexon Inspects First Hydrogen Line in France

Dexon Technology Europe has successfully completed an in-line inspection of one of the first repurposed hydrogen pipelines in France.

The project, led in partnership with Terega, marks an important milestone in converting natural gas infrastructure for hydrogen transport as part of the HySoW corridor—a 650 km network aimed at decarbonizing southwestern France.

The 468-meter underground pipeline had been decommissioned but was revived for hydrogen service. Before commissioning, a detailed ILI inspection was required to assess geometric deformation, metal loss, circumferential and axial cracking, and pressure capacity—ensuring regulatory compliance and baseline data for long-term monitoring.

Why hydrogen inspection matters:
Hydrogen is highly permeable and can lead to embrittlement, making pipelines more prone to microcracks and fractures. Combined with its explosive potential, this makes precision crack detection critical.

Dexon was selected for our UT-CD Hawk platform, a high-resolution ultrasonic crack detection system that delivers exceptional defect sizing across varied geometries. The inspection included two runs—circumferential and axial UT—to detect and size even the smallest cracks and material loss.

Both runs were completed successfully, delivering the actionable insights needed to safely advance the project.

We’re proud to support Terega and the broader hydrogen transition in France and across Europe. With proven UT crack tools, deep experience, and a flexible inspection team, Dexon stands ready to support the safe, long-term use of hydrogen pipelines.