Cathodic protection (CP) is a widely used corrosion prevention technique that protects buried and submerged pipelines by applying a controlled electrical current.

Cathodic protection (CP) is a widely used corrosion prevention technique that protects buried and submerged pipelines by applying a controlled electrical current to counteract the electrochemical corrosion process. It is a fundamental element of pipeline integrity management for oil & gas, water, and industrial pipelines worldwide.

Two main types of cathodic protection are used:
• Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP) — uses an external power source (rectifier) to supply protective current.
• Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection (SACP) — uses zinc or magnesium anodes that corrode preferentially to protect the pipeline.

CP effectiveness depends on proper system design, soil resistivity, coating condition, and ongoing monitoring through CP surveys and DCVG/ACVG assessments. When CP systems underperform, corrosion can develop — particularly at coating defects.

EMPIT’s Current Magnetometry Inspection (CMI) complements cathodic protection programs by detecting active corrosion and coating failures from the surface, providing operators with precise data to validate CP effectiveness and prioritize remediation.