The paper outlines the Khuff gas distribution system operated and maintained by The Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO). It will detail the types of cathodic protection installed and areas of apparent premature failure of galvanic cathodic protection systems

In 1998 a number of new pipelines were installed and magnesium sacrificial anode systems designed and installed. At about the same time some remedial work was undertaken on existing pipelines to replace depleted magnesium anodes.

During a recent routine survey of the cathodic protection systems it was found that a number of these anodes had apparently failed prematurely and were not achieving proper protection levels.

The paper will outline investigations carried out into the failed anodes, reasons for failure and recommendations for remedial work.

This paper will focus on the use and suitability of sacrificial anode systems versus impressed current systems for the long-term cathodic protection of buried pipelines in desert and reclaimed land areas.

Keywords:
anode, corrosion inhibition, backfill material, production chemistry, flowline corrosion, riser corrosion, well integrity, subsurface corrosion, upstream oil & gas, anode material
Subjects:
Production Chemistry, Metallurgy and Biology, Pipelines, Flowlines and Risers, Materials and corrosion, Well Integrity, Subsurface corrosion (tubing, casing, completion equipment, conductor), Corrosion inhibition and management (including H2S and CO2)
Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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