Nothing concerns more than the c-word

Out of sight, out of mind should not be an expression for buried pipelines. The c-word, corrosion, is the number one enemy of a pipeline. Corrosion mitigation can save a lot of money and may be vital for health and environment.

Cost of corrosion

According to the World Corrosion Organization, the total global cost of corrosion is more than $2 trillion. However, failures due to corrosion is not only about money. Corroded structures, including pipelines can, and do, cause injury and death.

Corrosion of water pipelines may result polluted drinking water. Corrosion of e.g. oil and gas pipelines can result leakage of flammable fluids, which means that these pipelines are very much susceptible to explosions when exposed to heat or flame.

Cathodic protection

Cathodic protection is one of the most effective methods for preventing most types of corrosion, and can stop corrosion damages from occurring. When correctly designed, operated and maintained, the buried pipeline lifetime can be excessively extended and the cost considerably reduced.

Cathodic protection – the safe way to save

Maintenance

Proper maintenance of buried pipeline with cathodic protection system includes:

• Routines for system operational data readings
• Potential surveys
• Close interval surveys
• Cathodic protection system tests and adjustments

The frequency of the maintenance may vary with the risk and consequences of damage.