Pipeline corrosion is the progressive degradation of pipe material through electrochemical reactions with the surrounding environment — and remains the number one cause of pipeline failures worldwide.

Pipeline corrosion is the progressive degradation of pipe material through electrochemical reactions with the surrounding environment — and remains the number one cause of pipeline failures worldwide. Understanding, detecting, and managing pipeline corrosion is fundamental to pipeline integrity and operational safety.

Major types of pipeline corrosion include:
• Uniform corrosion — even wall thinning across large areas.
• Pitting corrosion — localized, deep metal loss creating penetration risk.
• Crevice corrosion — occurring at joints, gaskets, and confined spaces.
• Galvanic corrosion — at dissimilar metal connections.
• Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) — cracking under combined stress and corrosion.
• Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) — hidden corrosion beneath thermal insulation.
• Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) — caused by bacterial activity.

Effective corrosion management requires regular inspection with appropriate technology. EMPIT’s CMI technology revolutionizes pipeline corrosion detection by identifying and classifying corrosion from the surface — distinguishing active from passivated defects, without excavation or shutdowns. This enables data-driven maintenance decisions and optimized pipeline lifecycle management.