Technical Paper
The Deficiency in Data from Trailing-Wire / Tow-Fish Cathodic Protection Surveys

by Jim Britton (2000)

Introduction

For many years the offshore industry has relied on the trailing wire survey method to perform close interval surveys on offshore pipelines; the main reason for the popularity of this method is simply the low cost. Many operators have recognized the lack of quality data from such methods, but have had little in the way of cost effective alternatives. For this reason, Deepwater Corrosion began to develop the CP Snake system, now no longer offered.** This paper highlights the deficiency of the data supplied by traditional tow fish surveys, and explains the R&D effort Deepwater undertook to correct these shortcomings.

The table below compares the critical elements of the two methods:

Direct comparison of cost of the two methods depends on a number of variables, but the cost of the CP Snake method will usually be within +/- 10% of the trailing wire technique, assuming that the same boat and number of operators is used, and the same requirements for system calibration are specified.

Methodology - Trailing Wire / Tow Fish

Some operators have started to use a remote electrode, but the problem is keeping the tow fish "close electrode" anywhere near the pipeline. Environmental concerns over disposal of copper wire into the ocean have also recently become another concern. The survey route is usually a zigzag over pipeline.

V1 - Tow Fish Electrode vs Trailing Wire
V2 - Remote Electrode vs Tow Fish Electrode (Not used by all operators)

Methodology - CP Snake Survey

The CP Snake is dragged directly on the sea floor, and has special systems on-board to indicate when pipe is crossed. The survey pattern is made with lateral passes, at as close to 90 degrees as possible - no trailing wire is needed. If conducted correctly, the CP Snake passes laterally over the pipeline

V1 - Snake Electrode 1 vs Remote
V2 - Snake Electrode 1 vs Snake Electrode 2 Fine Field Gradient
V3 - Snake Electrode 1 vs Snake Electrode 3 Coarse Field Gradient

Deepwater Corrosion Services Inc. and the CP Snake

Deepwater has been in the offshore pipeline survey business since the mid-eighties. In that time, every request we have received to perform a trailing wire / tow fish survey was declined. The company never felt comfortable with the accuracy of the data, given that it was hard for us to verify that we had our measurement system on the pipe, or at least on the seabed immediately above the pipe. We therefore confined our activities to more costly ROV / Diver assisted surveys, many times to the detriment of our survey department's bottom-line (consequently we now no longer offer pipeline survey, referring the work elsewhere).

In 2000 we were commissioned by a customer to develop a suitable survey method for a pipeline in Cook Inlet, Alaska. After much deliberation, even considering trailing wire methods, we arrived at the solution. The CP Snake has now been proven in many areas of the world as the newest low cost survey method. Deepwater Corrosion no longer offers pipeline survey services with the CP Snake in the US, but the system is available from Subspection Ltd in the UK. Projects in other areas, please contact us.

CP Snake: System Advantages

1. Costs equivalent to trailing wire type surveys.
2. Electrode is a close as physically possible to the pipeline under survey.
3. Additional internal instrumentation confirms pipeline has been crossed.
4. If pipe location isn't verified, data are not reported.
5. No copper wire discarded into the ocean, no stoppages due to wire breaks.
6. Electric field gradients give additional useful information.

** Deepwater is retiring its CP Snake pipeline survey system This method and the equipment developed are no longer available through any subsidiaries, agents, or affiliates. The technology and the trademarks associated will be retained by Deepwater, not for use by any unauthorized entities. Development info and the theory behind the system's development will remain available for educational purposes only in our online technical library.

This decision is made based on the lack of ability to get repeatable survey data between calibration contact points. The system will be replaced by the Polatrak Pipe Reader System, which is presently undergoing field trials.

For info or concerns about the CP Snake survey method, please contact us.