1. Ballot Idea#: 2817 Identifying Coating Faults and Their Severity through Electrolyte Resistivity Measurements
Eric Pozniak (PureHM Edmonton Canada) PRCI Spring Pipeline Technical Meeting, May 15 – 17, 2018, Calgary, Alberta

2. Presentation Outline Project Scope Previous Link PRCI Research EC-3-19
Research Objectives
Methodology
Benefits and Outcome of the Proposed Research
Technology Transfer Opportunities
Specific Project Results Targeted
Conclusions

3. Project Scope
Develop an improved methodology to measure soil resistivity as close as possible to the pipeline electrolyte boundary to improve the classification of coating faults.
Links to previous PRCI project EC-3-19 that focused on small diameter pipeline (8-inch).
Mirrors methodology of previous PRCI project EC-3-19.
Current project focuses on larger diameter pipelines (16, 24 & 36-inch).

4. Project Scope Previous PRCI Research Project EC-3-19:
Researched the effect that bare pipe, coated pipe without anomalies, and coated pipe with engineered anomalies, has on Wenner 4 Pin soil resistivity measurements
Soil Box and Electromagnetic techniques were also employed
Research focused on an 8-inch pipeline only
Concluded that soil resistivity should be taken as close as possible to the pipe

5. Project Scope Previous PRCI Research Project EC-3-18 & EC-3-19:
Current Industry Standard
WPS = DOC - PLR

6. Project Scope
Construction activities and cathodic polarization might affect the soil resistivity in the ditch and differ from adjacent.

7. Research Objectives
Develop an improved methodology for identification, classification, and prioritization of coating faults during pipeline integrity assessments by measuring soil resistivity as close as possible to a buried pipe.
Involves conducting soil resistivity measurements on top of the pipe, adjacent to the pipe, and at varying depths using Wenner Four-Pin and Soil Box methods.
Current project focuses on larger diameter pipelines (16, 24 & 36-inch).

8. Research Objectives Project objective would involve:
Comparing soil resistivities obtained on top and adjacent to the pipeline and assessing any influence of the buried metallic pipe to the measured resistivities.
Determining optimal locations for conducting soil resistivity measurements to accurately prioritize coating anomalies.
Comparing the result of this current project (16, 24 & 36-inch) with the previous project (8-inch; EC-3-19).

9. Research Objectives
Improving the classification of coating faults by measuring soil resistivity as close as possible to the pipeline-electrolyte boundary.
Using the result of the current study to improve ECDA coating fault classification and documentation by means of normalizing indirect inspection tool (IIT) measurements with soil resistivity.
Incorporating the improved methodology into NACE ECDA procedures.

10. Methodology

11. Methodology
Design and build a coated & cathodically protected pipeline with:
Different soils; sandy and native soil.
Different coatings; Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) & Three Layer Bonded Polyethylene (YJ2K).
Coating faults at different orientations.
Test controls
Bare sections
Sections with coating faults
Sections with no coating faults

12. Methodology
Soil resistivity measurements collected with the Wenner Four- Pin method on top of the pipe, adjacent to the pipe, and at varying depths.
Soil Box method will also be utilized to assess the soil resistivity on top of the pipe, adjacent to the pipe, and at varying depths.
Excavations on a few locations to study the detectability of coating faults, taking measurements exactly on the ditch and studying pH and redox potentials in the ditch and adjacent.

13. Benefits and Outcome of the Proposed Research
Project team recommended continuation of this research on a larger diameter pipeline in Miami Florida on 9th March, 2018.
Development of an improved methodology for identification, classification and prioritization of coating faults with soil resistivity.
Comprehensive understanding of the influences of pipe sizes on soil resistivity measurements would be confirmed.

14. Benefits of the Proposed Research
Outcome could be integrated in the next revision of NACE 0502.
Results may be presented at appropriate conferences such as IPC and NACE.

15. Technology Transfer Opportunities
This project will identify a method to improve ECDA coating fault classification and documentation by means of normalizing IIT measurements with soil resistivity.
Third parties will benefit from improved inspection expertise drawn from this research.
Successful results from this research could be incorporated into NACE ECDA procedures and presented in recognized conferences.

16. Specific Project Results Targeted
The results from the previous project (EC-3-19; 8-inch) showed that the coating resistance increased the measured resistivity with Wenner Four-Pin Method on top of the pipe.
Coating resistance is expected not to have significant influence on this current study considering the larger size pipe (16, 24 & 36-inch).
Detailed report to be delivered to PRCI shall outline the approach, methodology, findings, and recommendations.

17. Conclusions
This project mirrors the methodology of the previous project (EC-3-19; 8-inch) but will be focusing on larger diameter pipelines (16, 24 & 36-inch).
This project will identify a method to improve ECDA coating fault classification and documentation by means of normalizing IIT measurements with soil resistivity.
Influence of pipeline sizes on soil resistivity measurements would be comprehensively understood.
Success of this research could lead to improved ECDA procedures.

18. Proposed Project Cost

20. Contact Details Shamus McDonnell-PureHM, Edmonton, Canada
Chukwuma Onuoha-PureHM, Edmonton, Canada
Eric Pozniak-PureHM, Edmonton, Canada

21. Back-Up Details

22. Wenner Four Pin Method Soil Resistivity Measurements with Wenner 4 Pin
Measurements perpendicularly on top of the pipe and adjacent (4.5m;15feet away) at coating faults, control locations and bare section
Depth of measurements to target depth of cover – pipe 0.61, 0.91, 1.22, 1.52, & 1.83m (1 - 6 feet) on the pipe and adjacent