Interesting. Just today there is an article in the news about gas pipelines being dismantled here in Vienna. At the end they mention some of the reasons for the decline in gas use are warmer winters and switching to alternative energy sources (typically district heating)
Interesting paper. I notice you talk about H in the pipelines as alt to decommissioning the gas network and how that is problematic.
Here the other alternative promoted by the gas company is "renewable" natural gas (RNG). Has its own set of issues but they're even promoting it on the buses.
Also something that has been discussed amongst the Prepper community for some time.
Gas pipelines when not used can become a hazard to the communities they run under.
Decommissioning with low usage can become an urgent safety issue.