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.
