Predicting Soil Corrosivity along a Pipeline Route in the Niger Delta Basin Using Geoelectrical Method: Implications for Corrosion Control

Kenneth S. Okiongbo, Godwin Ogobiri

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

DOI: 10.4236/eng.2013.53034                

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Soil Corrosivity; Geoelectrical; Pipeline; Groundbed; Niger Delta

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	J. A. Beavers and N. G. Thompson, “External Corrosion of Oil and Natural Gas Pipelines,” American Society of Mechanical Engineers Handbook 13C, Corrosion: Environments and Industries No. 05145, 2006, pp. 1015-1024.
[2]	A. W. Peabody, “Control of Pipeline Corrosion,” NACE, Houston, 1967.
[3]	B. Durotoye, “Quarternary Sediments in Nigeria”, In: C. A. Kogbe, Ed., Geology of Nigeria, Rockview, Jos, 1975, pp. 431-444.
[4]	G. V. Kelly, “Electrical Properties of Rocks and Minerals,” In: R. C. Carmichael, Ed., Handbook of Physical Properties of Rocks1, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1982, pp. 217-293.
[5]	H. S. Salem and G. V. Chilingarian, “Determination of Specific Surface Area and Mean Grain Size from Well Log-Data and Their Influence on the Physical Behavior of Offshore Reservoir,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 22, No. 4, 1999, pp. 241-252. doi:10.1016/S0920-4105(98)00084-9
[6]	W. V. Baeckmann and W. Schwenk, “Handbook of Cathodic Protection,” Portcullis Press, London, 1975.
[7]	US Army Corps of Engineers, “Geo Physical Exploration for Engineering and Environmental Investigations,” EM 1110-1-1802, 1995.
[8]	H. S. Salem, “Modelling of Lithology and Hydraulic Conductivity of Shallow Sediments from Resistivity Measurements Using Schlumberger Vertical Electric Soundings,” Energy Source, Vol. 23, No. 7, 2001, pp. 599-618. doi:10.1080/00908310119202
[9]	H. B. Dwight, “Calculation of Resistance to Ground,” American Institute of Electrical Engineers, Vol. 55, No. 12, 1936, pp. 1319-1328. doi:10.1109/T-AIEE.1936.5057209
[10]	E. D. Sunde, “Earth Conduction Effect in Transmission System,” Dover Publications, New York, 1968.