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2. Steffel Cathodic Protection Systems & Services LLC

(Steffel CPSS)

Method Statement
On/Off potential survey
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6. DOCUMENT NO.: SCPSS

COPY NO.
1.

2. REVISION HISTORY
REV. DATE ORIGINATOR REVIEWED BY APPROVED BY
RIPTION
0 15.11.04 Issued For Implementation GM
1. OBJECTIVE
This Method Statement describes the general technique of carrying out a close
interval potential survey.

2. INTRODUCTION

Corrosion in metal pipelines is an electrochemical process, caused by the generation

of anodic and cathodic sites in the duct surface with subsequent direct current flow
between these areas. In anodic sites, electrons are generated due to metal
dissolution. These electrons travel through the pipeline steel to cathodic zones where
they are consumed in reduction reactions (oxidation). Electrical circuit is completed
through ionic flow in the soil between the cathodic site and the anodic site.

In order to prevent damage caused by external corrosion, pipelines are protected

against these effects through a combination of dielectric coatings and cathodic
protection systems. Dielectric coatings represent the first line of defense against
external corrosion. Although coatings generally provide excellent protection, most of
them deteriorate over time due to water absorption, ground pressures, soil abrasion,
root damage, bacteriological attack and many other causes. This damage allows
corrosion to occur in places where contacts are produced between corrosive
environment (the soil) and steel surfaces exposed by coating faults.

Cathodic protection has the function of protecting the pipeline in places where the
coating has failed, acting as the second line of defense against external corrosion.
Cathodic protection is achieved through electrons supply to the metal structure,
turning its potential to more negative values with regard to the environment where it
occurs. By definition, corrosion represents electron loss per atom or group of atoms.
When these electrons are supplied externally through pipeline steel (by cathodic
protection), corrosion mechanisms are reduced to insignificant levels. These effects
are complemented with the electrochemical changes in the soil (increase in pH)
caused by cathodic protection application sub-products.

In the industry, at present, it is generally accepted that the combination of dielectric

coatings with cathodic protection systems is the most effective measure to control
external corrosion effects in underground pipelines. A less understood factor is that
this control depends on a delicate balance between the physical status of the coating
and the cathodic protection levels. In order to obtain effective levels of cathodic
protection, pipeline potentials must be maintained between frontiers of -850 mV “off”
(sub-protection) and -1140 mV “off” (over-protection).

The pipeline potentials are recorded with switched on current (“on” potentials) and
with switched off current (“off” potentials) to eliminate “IR” errors in measurements
caused by current flow between the pipeline and the reference cells. In order to obtain
“off” potentials, cyclic timers are placed in all the cathodic protection sources having
influence on the zone under study. Timers must work in perfect synchronization to
allow “off” potentials accurate measurements.

3. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

3.1 Specifications

 British Standard 7361: Part 1: 1991. The Code of Practice for Cathodic Protection
for Land and Marine Applications.
 Any Specifications or Codes of Practice operated by the Client.
3.2 Drawings

 As required.
 Detailed route maps will normally be provided by the client.

4. TEST EQUIPMENT

4.1 Calibration

Test equipment utilized during the survey shall be calibrated to National or

International measurement standards

4.2 Equipment List

 Quantum datalogger comprising high impedance voltmeter with memory storage to

record measurements. Alternatively measurements can be recorded manually.
 CP Voltmeter
 Copper/Copper Sulphate reference electrodes
 GPS Current interrupter (one for each cathodic protection power source)
 General hand tools

5. SETTING UP

Before commencing any survey work it is important to gather as much information

about the pipeline being surveyed as possible. The more information collected during
this phase the better the data collected during the actual surveying. The information
collected should include (but not be limited to):

 Pipe material including grade of steel.

 Pipe diameter and wall thickness.
 Coating material for complete length.
 Route maps with as much data as possible.
 Location (distance) and operating output of all CP power sources.
 Location of possible sources of stray currents.
 Difficult access areas /river crossings/major road crossings etc.
 Any changes to the above along the pipeline Right of Way.
 Location of any fixed Map Surveying Points.

Having carried out the preliminaries, the survey commences with the installation of the
GPS current interrupters into all the necessary power sources and bonds.
6. INSTALLING GPS CURRENT INTERRUPTERS

The Current Interrupter shall be inserted in series in the negative cable connecting to
the pipeline at the Transformer Rectifier Installation. The name/location of all
Transformer Rectifiers interrupted whilst surveying each section of the pipeline will be
clearly identified on the Survey Records.

The method for installing the interrupter shall be as follows:-

6.1 Initially the Volts and Amperes readings of the CP Transformer Rectifier meters shall
be recorded together with any settings of the output adjustment switches, connections
or Variac (variable transformer), etc. of the rectifier. The rectifier output shall then be
reduced to zero (if possible) and the rectifier switched off.

6.2 The mains electricity feeding the rectifier shall also be switched OFF. The
negative DC output cable shall then be disconnected from the rectifier terminal and
this cable then connected to the Red Terminal of the Interrupter. A short length of
cable (15 mm2 cross section) or of similar dimensions to the existing negative cable
shall be used to connect the negative terminal of the Rectifier to the black terminal of
the Interrupter

6.3 The Interrupter shall then be switched ON using the 4/ 1Hertz, 4 Seconds ON 1
Second OFF interruption setting

6.4 The mains electricity and rectifier shall then be switched ON, and the output
adjustment switches slowly increased to the original settings of the rectifier. The
rectifier output as shown on the rectifier ampere meter should be pulsing at
approximately one cycle per 5 seconds. If there is no pulse it could be because the
Interrupter terminals have been wrongly connected as solid state Interrupters will only
work in one direction.
6.5 To change over the Interrupter terminals the rectifier output shall be reduced to zero,
the rectifier and mains power supply switched OFF, the terminal connections at the
interrupter changed over, the rectifier switched ON and the Rectifier output adjusted to
the original settings.

6.6 Because the Interrupter solid state switch has an internal resistance (0.03 ohms),
when the rectifier is set to the original settings the output current will be less than the
original ampere meter reading. The rectifier output switches shall be adjusted so that
the output current when pulsed is the same, or as close as possible to that of the
normal working output of the rectifier.

6.7 Care must be taken to ensure that for each section surveyed, all relevant DC
sources are interrupted.

7. ON-OFF POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT

Once the intervention of rectifier equipment has been carried out, On-Off potentials are
recorded on all test points along the pipeline using a data logger. The steps included
during potential assessment are described below:

 Measurements are carried out at all test points with CU- CUS04 electrodes exactly
over the pipeline.
 In those cases where the work zone has dry soil, the contact point between the CU-
CUS04 electrodes and the soil will be humidified.
 All crossings with pipelines belonging to a third party will be analyzed, which will be
referenced and, if possible, measurements of their potentials will be taken.

8. HEALTH AND SAFETY

8.1 General
It is the intention of Steffel CPSS Oman that all test and inspection procedures are
carried out in a safe manner in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act
and any other relevant legislation.

If required by the Client, personnel will attend any Site Safety Induction Courses
before carrying out work on site.

8.2 Safety Handbook

It is the responsibility of all Steffel CPSS Oman personnel to be familiar with the latest
revision of the Company's Safety Handbook. The Safety Handbook details the
responsibility of the Company and the individual regarding Safety Regulations.

8.3 Risk Assessments

 Site safety

There can be assorted risks associated with working on any site and site regulations
as laid down by the site owner/operator should be observed.

 PPE

The minimum personal protective equipment is as follows: Approved safety helmet

Approved ear defenders/earplugs, Safety footwear Eye protection Gloves, Overalls
and any other equipment required by the site operator or deemed necessary by the
task

 Specific hazards applicable to Close Interval Potential Surveys

o Entering Farms and Farmland

o During a CIPS survey it may be necessary to cross farm land.
o Take care if farm vehicles or machinery are operating nearby.
o Be aware that the fields may have been sprayed with pesticides or other
chemicals. (Prior to the survey commencing the client should liase with
landowners to establish if this is the case. The client/landowner should
provide CoSHH sheets relating to the chemicals used. Observe any
precautions and recommendations contained on the CoSHH datasheet)
o Take care when entering fields where animals are kept.
 o If crossing field boundaries always use a gate or stile if possible. Avoid
climbing fences and walls. Avoid water filled ditches. Take special care if
any fences are electrified. (Prior to the survey commencing the client should
liaise with landowners to establish if this is the case and request that
electric fences are switched off.)
 Road traffic

o If any test locations are located near a roadway, there is a risk of injury caused
by moving vehicles.
o All personnel should wear suitable high visibility clothing and exercise
increased care.
o If the pipeline crosses or travels along a road where traffic is, or is likely to be
present, then great care should be taken and appropriate steps taken to
manage the traffic hazard.
o Work should not be carried out in the roadway without applying the precautions
laid down in the appropriate regulations and legislation pertaining to road
works, traffic signs etc.

 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (C.O.S.H.H.)

o Where applicable, substances hazardous to health shall be listed and itemized

in the form of a register.

o Health and Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous substances shall be kept in a
file for reference. Site personnel shall be issued with copies of Health and
Safety Data Sheets relevant to their work activities.