AquaDuctus Pipeline GmbH (contracting entity) is currently preparing the procurement strategy for an 48-inch offshore pipeline intended for the transportation of gaseous hydrogen in the North Sea. In this context contracting entity, supported by Worley Projects GmbH (acting as EPCm contractor for and on behalf of contracting entity), hereby invites your organisation to participate in a non-binding pre-market consultation (Markterkundung) conducted in accordance with §26 of the German Sector Regulation (SektVO), as part of the applicable German legislation that implements European Union public tendering rules. This consultation is of a purely exploratory nature and serves exclusively to support contracting entity’s internal preparation of a potential future procurement procedure. Any information exchanged in the context of this consultation is purely informative, non-binding, indicative only, and subject to change. Please note that this is not a request for quotation. This request does not constitute the launch of a procurement procedure and does not create any obligation for contracting entity to procure, tender, award or contract any scope of supply. Contracting entity reserves the right to decide on any further steps. Should a procurement need be identified following the completion of the pre market consultation, a formal procurement procedure will be initiated, provided the relevant conditions are met. Your feedback within the scope of this pre-market consultation is non-binding and will not affect your chances in any potential future procurement procedure. The purpose of this market consultation is to obtain non‑binding, high‑level information from potential market participants in order to: • Connect with the market to prepare our execution strategy. • Assess the technical feasibility and understand technical limitations associated with supplying 48-inch flanges for hydrogen service pipeline connections. • Understand manufacturing routes, qualification approaches and constraints. • Support the preparation of transparent, competition‑neutral tender documentation for a potential future procurement procedure. We are currently evaluating our sourcing needs and participants are invited to provide non-binding and purely informative input on topics such as: • Design, Manufacture, and Testing capability for 48-inch flanges. • General experience with supply of flanges in hydrogen service. • Experience with supply of forged flanges and compliance with codes like ASME B16.47; ASME 31.12; DNV-ST-F101 and DNV-RP-0034. • Key technical risks relevant to this type of project. Should you be interested in participating, please confirm your interest by contacting the Single point of Contact mentioned in letter AQD-PP-PQS-006. Please note that first a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) needs to be signed to protect the confidentiality of contracting entity’s information. The NDA must be completed, stamped and signed. Once the NDA has been received and deemed complete, your organization may be added as a registered participant in the market consultation process. Upon confirmation and signing of the NDA, you will receive: • the consultation questionnaire (including supporting documentation); • further practical details regarding the process and timeline.