Pipe Explosion at SK Energy's Hydrogen Plant: Safety Concerns Rise

2025-10-18 industry

Ulsan, Saturday, 18 October 2025.
A pipe explosion at SK Energy’s Ulsan facility injured five workers, highlighting safety issues in hydrogen production. Despite the incident, hydrogen supply remains stable. Ensuring safety is crucial as the industry grows.

Incident Overview

At approximately 10:40 a.m. on Friday, a pipe explosion occurred at SK Energy’s hydrogen production facility in Ulsan, South Korea. This incident resulted in five workers being injured, with four suffering serious injuries and one sustaining minor burns. The explosion happened during routine maintenance work that started on Wednesday, as hydrogen gas remaining in the pipeline ignited while the pipe was being opened [1][2][3][6].

Industry Implications

Despite the explosion, SK Energy has assured the public that hydrogen supply remains stable. The plant, one of the largest in South Korea, continues to operate two other hydrogen units unhindered by the incident. However, this explosion underscores persistent safety concerns within the hydrogen production industry. As the industry expands, ensuring the safety of workers and facilities becomes increasingly critical [1][3][5].

Investigation and Response

Following the explosion, emergency services swiftly responded, dispatching 25 personnel and 23 pieces of equipment to control the blaze. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames and continued to spray water on the pipelines to prevent secondary explosions. Authorities, including police and fire departments, are currently investigating the precise cause of the explosion. Preliminary findings suggest that the explosion occurred because the hydrogen gas was not fully purged from the pipeline before maintenance [6][8].

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