The firm will assist the EU-backed project with EPC-management services across the development, planning, and execution phases of the “first-of-a-kind” large diameter pipeline.

The AquaDuctus consortium, made up of European national gas transmission operators and energy firms like RWE and Shell, envisages plans of 10GW of offshore electrolysers in the North Sea, producing around one million tonnes of green hydrogen.

The pipeline, which was recognised by the EU as an Import of Common European Interest, aims to connect the proposed offshore production hubs with end-users across Northwest Europe.

Worley will also oversee the supervision and management of EPC and commissioning contractors. Swiss offshore oil and gas firm StreamTec Solutions will assist with permitting and expertise on offshore construction.

AquaDuctus adds to a number of pipelines, which are set to create an interconnecting web of hydrogen infrastructure across Europe.

Offshore green hydrogen has been viewed as a critical way to reduce the levelised cost of hydrogen. Due to higher and more consistent wind speeds, proponents believe this could boost capacity factors and reduce electricity costs, which can account for up to 70% of green hydrogen production costs.

Producing hydrogen close to offshore wind generation could also bypass the need to connect every turbine to the mainland grid, reducing bottlenecks and delays.

However, critics note offshore hydrogen production remains costly and technically complex compared with expanding onshore grid capacity.