Cathodic Protection
Cathodic Protection
Purpose
The purpose of this awareness session is to ensure that Cathodic protection activities are carried
out safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established best practices, as well as in full
compliance with Saudi Aramco’s applicable standards and Project specifications.
Definition
Cathodic Protection is a technique used to prevent corrosion of metal surfaces, particularly in
buried structures. It works by applying a direct current to the metal, which makes it the cathode of
an electrochemical cell, thus preventing oxidation and corrosion. This method is widely used in
various industries, including oil and gas, to protect pipelines, storage tanks, and offshore
platforms.
Galvanic Anode
A galvanic anode, or sacrificial anode, is the main component of a galvanic cathodic protection
system used to protect buried or submerged metal structures from corrosion.
Anode Installation
Anode Installation shall be carried out as per approved IFC Drawing
Piping installation and trench shall be ready for installation of anode prior to soaked the anode in
water
Immersed the prepackaged anode in water for at least 24hrs before installation
Anode to be installed horizontally, parallel to piping equipment at 1mtr distance
As soon as the anode are laid out their cable tails shall be arranged centrally for vertical exit from
the bottom of the trench
Both ends of each cable shall be firmly sealed with insulating tape and/or other sealing
materials to prevent dust & moisture.
Sufficient length shall be provided for both ends of each cable in the measurement of cable
lengths.
Sand filling, protection cover and backfilling work shall be conducted as early and promptly as
possible.
Measurement of CP Potential
Pipe to soil potential to be measured with reference to Cu/CuSO4 reference electrode for buried
structure
Check test leads with multimeter of structure to electrolyte, to measure the voltage potential.
Verify that the pipe to soil monthly potential survey for the installed CP of buried structures
The pipe-to-soil potential value shall range between -1.0 V and -2.5 V, in accordance with SAES-X-
400, Table 4.