Pipeline Cathodic Protection
- SECTOR: Infrastructure - Pipeline
- LOCATION: Fort Simpson, NWT
- DATE: 2018
- EQUIPMENT: Mobile B-80
Geotech utilized a B80 truck mounted complete a cathodic protection project for an Enbridge pipeline near Fort Simpson. Cathodic protection is an electrochemical technique used to prevent corrosion on buried metallic pipelines.
A simple method of protection connects the metal to be protected to a more easily corroded “sacrificial metal” to act as the anode; this is what Geotech installs. The sacrificial metal then corrodes instead of the protected metal.
This program comprised of starting with 10” casing down to 50’, then telescoping with 8” casing to 200’ and finishing the borehole to 600’ with a 7” or 6” open hole bit. For these boreholes crews utilized a rotary air blast (RAB) methodology. Once the boreholes are complete the crews installed the anodes and backfilled the holes with coke breeze.
CHALLENGES
- Access to the project site was via barge and remote
- Once equipment reached the drilling location, rig matting was used to gain access to drill locations.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Telescoping from 10” to 6” to reach the deeper depths required for installation.
- Throughout the program Geotech worked with multiple contractors and lead the installations of anodes with the assistance of Corrosion Services.
