U.S. Steel Corp. is partnering with Norwegian energy major Equinor ASA to exploration the feasibility of a hydrogen hub in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

In a June 29 release, U.S. Steel announced the partnership through an execution of a non-exclusive memorandum of understanding with Equinor US Holdings Inc. to study the potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen development in the tri-state region.

Founded in 1901, U.S. Steel is a leading steel producer headquartered in Pittsburgh with additional operations across the U.S. and Central Europe. The company, which has an annual raw steelmaking capability of 26.2 million net tons, expects the Equinor partnership to help it achieve its decarbonization goals.

“The successful development of hydrogen and CCS technology in the tri-state region will require investment, cooperation, and exploration across political and perceived barriers,” commented Richard Fruehauf, senior vice president and chief strategy and sustainability officer for U.S. Steel, in the company release. “As we build momentum toward our ambitious goal targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the opportunity to explore the potential for a hydrogen hub in this region—anchored in the Mon Valley—is cause for optimism.”

The initial focus of the partnership is to assess the technological and commercial possibilities for hydrogen and CCS with plans to explore and demonstrate the potential opportunities for natural gas when coupled with CCS to achieve decarbonization goals. 

Further, the release noted the scope of work will include assessments of regional hydrogen and CCS potential, appropriate customer and supplier screenings, blue hydrogen advocacy, CCS and examining renewable energy synergies.