Author(s)

Kenneth S. Okiongbo, Godwin Ogobiri

Department of Geology & Physics, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

The corrosivity of the top three metres of the soil along a pipeline route was determined using soil electrical resistivity for the emplacement of a conduit intended to serve as a gas pipeline. Fifty-six Schlumberger vertical electrical soundings (VES) were carried using a maximum current electrode separation ranging between 24 - 100 m at 2.0 km interval. The data was interpreted using a 1D inversion technique software (1X1D, Interpex, USA). Model resistivity values were classified in terms of the degree of corrosivity. Generally, the sub-soil condition along the pipeline route is non-aggressive but being slightly or moderately aggressive in certain areas due to local conditions prevailing at the measuring stations. Based on the corrosivity along the pipeline route, appropriate cathodic protection methods are prescribed.

Soil Corrosivity; Geoelectrical; Pipeline; Groundbed; Niger Delta

K. Okiongbo and G. Ogobiri, "Predicting Soil Corrosivity along a Pipeline Route in the Niger Delta Basin Using Geoelectrical Method: Implications for Corrosion Control," Engineering, Vol. 5 No. 3, 2013, pp. 237-244. doi: 10.4236/eng.2013.53034.