RetroBuoy™
Impressed current cathodic protection system for large structures

RetroBuoy is the most reliable impressed current cathodic protection retrofit system on the market.

RetroBuoy is a high-capacity impressed current cathodic protection system, designed primarily to be retrofitted to existing structures. Remote anodes (located away from rather than on the structure) offer the benefit of more evenly distributed cathodic protection over larger areas. The primary applications for this type of cathodic protection are large complex steel structures such as platform jackets, or structures with many pilings in a tight geometry, such as port facilities or loading jetties.

To maintain appropriate levels of protection, individual RetroBuoy anode sleds can be rated anywhere from 150 – 500 Amps for 25 years (please see the table on the reverse of this brochure).

The compact size and remote location of the RetroBuoy directly on the seabed simplifies the installation procedure, minimizing cost. It is these costs that typically dominate a large offshore cathodic protection upgrade. RetroBuoy provides the lowest installed cost per Ampere/ Year of any cathodic protection system available.

Our partnerships with key transformer / rectifier manufacturers in the US and UK allow us to provide complete systems in compliance with any electrical requirements, and our own Polatrak brand CP monitoring systems can be integrated to verify system performance over the life of the design. RetroBuoy ( and RetroBuoy Jr.) can be used in any situation where a large offshore or marine fixed structure has available electrical power.

Applications

Large Offshore Platforms

Situated 100 feet from the platform jacket (in stable sea bed conditions) and hardwired to the surface transformer rectifier, the RetroBuoy can provide up to 400 Amps of cathodic protection. Typically, the cable is routed through an "I" or "J" tube, depending on the structure, but in some recent installations (Forties Field North Sea), a tensioned clamp can be used to thread the cabel inside the jacket.

Smaller Offshore Platform Complexes

For structures clustered together and electrically connected via a bridge, many times a single RetroBuoy can protect the entire complex. Exact requirements vary, depending on the size and depth of each structure. Several of these retrofits have been performed in the Gulf of Mexico. Please visit our project experience section for specific information.

Loading Docks / Whares

For all varieties of dock and jetty structures, the RetroBuoy Jr. (single float version of the RetroBuoy) provides reliable cathodic protection when depth and current conditions allow. Typically water depths must be moderate to deep, to avoid the RetroBuoy interfering with vessels.

FPSO’s (Spread Moored)

For protection of spread-moored FPSO's, the RetroBuoy anode sled has proven to be very efficient and effective in providing cathodic protection for the mooring. The sleds sit on the seabed and the feed cables are deployed in a "Lazy S" configuration. Spread moored FPSO’s are particularly suited to this strategy, as the remote anodes can protect a large area of mooring chain and other hardware.

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Key design points

Superior anode efficiency

The use of MMO activated Titanium electrodes allows the anode sled to be operated at very high current output. This is possible because the anode electrode elements are transported in buoyant modules, which ensure that they remain surrounded by clean seawater. If the anodes were allowed to become silted at all they would have to be significantly de-rated to avoid premature failure.

Compact design

Using a compliant design that works with the ocean currents allows the RetroBuoy to be compact and easily handled by most offshore installation vessels.

Designed for harsh environments

The oil-filled, pressure-compensated electrical junction box, which houses the electrode cables, allows the system to operate efficiently at any depth. The parallel wiring of anode cables to the main feed cables provides a high measure of redundancy in the event of an unforeseen mechanical impact.

Multiple applications

New innovations in dynamic cable design are allowing more cost effective deployments of these systems on FPSO’s or in deep water. Routing the power cable from the seabed to the surface via ROV eliminates a major installation cost for the system.