Pipeline Operator Gains By Wirelessly Monitoring Cathodic Protection

Cathodic protection (CP) has slowly become a critical issue in America and beyond. The catalysts for this are: (1) new governmental regulations, (2) stiff penalties for non-compliance, (3) the aging of buried metal assets, and (4) increased scrutiny in the public and private sectors seeking efficiency and the protection of assets.

Against this tapestry of change, many operators are seeking the most effective and efficient ways to address the battle against corrosion and the monitoring of efforts to protect assets from corrosion. In the past, the most prevalent monitoring effort was the manual measurement of potential risks by a dedicated team of field engineers and technicians.

A Colorado pipeline operator sought and found a remote CP monitoring solution. Dean Weber, measurement coordinator at EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc., was approached by long-time client FreeWave Technologies, Inc. EnCana is a wholly owned subsidiary of EnCana Corporation, one of the largest producers of gas in North America.

FreeWave wanted to introduce Weber to a new wireless data radio product - CP LineMarker -that was in beta testing. The new radio could measure the electric current introduced into the pipeline, essential in preventing pipeline corrosion.

Cover removed from the monitoring and reporting device.

In the past, CP monitoring was a tedious process for EnCana’s Colorado DJ Basin operation. It required an operator to physically go out to the field and collect readings on a quarterly basis. According to Weber, with 128 miles of regulated pipeline in the DJ Basin of Colorado, these readings could take up to three weeks to complete. The process required extra labor and was time-consuming.

Monitoring Systems
Let us consider the pros and cons of different CP monitoring systems. From the manual and tedious beginning - satellite, cell phone, “drive by” and even “fly by” systems were developed for the remote monitoring of corrosion control efforts. These monitoring efforts have met with varying degrees of success given their distinct differences in execution and costs.

Satellite systems have broadband capabilities, monthly reoccurring costs (based on the amount of bandwidth used each month) and generally are quite reliable once they are set up.

Cell phone systems function in a similar fashion as satellite systems in that they use an existing network of communication devices and have monthly charges – either for a connection or connection and data usage fee. If users are within range of a cell tower, cell phone systems are very much “plug and play” in their simplicity.

“Drive By” systems have appeal because they still keep the process of the field visit intact but without the need to leave a vehicle. One can simply drive up and get their measurements, making it very efficient. A benefit to a Drive By system is the reduction or elimination of any connection fee.

Monthly recurring costs associated with satellite or cell phone systems can become a burden on the operating budget of a department that is held accountable for yearly productivity improvements.

“Fly By” monitoring appears to have hit its zenith several years ago. With costs of airplane operations, weather concerns and the need for a specialized work force (pilots and airplane maintenance crews), it never really gained traction.