Study of abnormal distributions of corrosion defects along the length of the main gas pipeline

When assessing the operation of interfield gas pipelines on frozen ground, the efficiency of their electrochemical protection (ECP) is analyzed, among other things. The paper presents the results of the study of anomalies in the ECP of underground pipelines operated in frozen ground conditions. Computer mathematical modeling methods were applied, laboratory experiments were conducted using a test rig. Using computer modeling, the key factors contributing to the acceleration of corrosion processes were identified: the formation of a water layer around the pipeline during ground freezing and shielding of the protective potential of ECP, which leads to a local increase in the corrosion rate. It has been experimentally confirmed that at the temperature of transported gas above 0°C and in the presence of frozen ground ECP loses its efficiency due to potential distribution disturbance. It is shown that the use of an auxiliary anode increases the homogeneity of the protective potential and eliminates the shielding effect of frozen ground. The obtained results can be used for optimization of ECP systems in cryolithozone to reduce the risk of accidents in pipeline transport.

1. Askarov G. R., Garris N. A., Mironova O. N. Dependence of underground corrosion process activity on the average temperature at unstable temperature regime of the pipeline / Transp. Khran. Nefteprod. Uglevodorod. Syrya. 2012. No. 2. P. 28 – 30 [in Russian].

2. Bakhmat G. V., Vasiliev G. G., Bogatenkov Yu. V., et al. Handbook of the Engineer for Operation of Oil and Gas Pipelines and Product Pipelines. — Moscow: Infa-inzheneriya, 2006. — 928 p. [in Russian].

3. Alekseev A. A., Syromyatnikova A. S., Ivanov A. R. Fractures of metal structures in Arctic conditions / Proceedings of the X Eurasian Symposium on Problems of Strength and Resource in Conditions of Climatic Low Temperatures (EURASTRENCOLD-2022). — Kirov: Interregional Center for Innovative Technologies in Education, 2022. P. 22 – 27 [in Russian].

4. Khizhnyakov V. I., Negodin A. V., Shelkov V. A., Toz A. N. Preventing the development of corrosion and stress-corrosion defects on the cathodically protected surface of the main pipelines / Vestn. TGASU. 2021. Vol. 23. No. 1. P. 140 – 149 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.31675/1607-1859-2021-23-1-140-149

5. Konnov D. V. Prediction of corrosion defects in oil pipelines / Universum: Technical Sciences. 2023. No. 10 – 5(115). P. 22 – 32 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.32743/unitech.2023.115.10.16180

6. Mardamshin V. R. To the question of stress-corrosion cracks hazard assessment in steel gas pipeline metal / Oborud. Tekhnol. Neftegaz. Kompl. 2022. No. 3(129). P. 51 – 56 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.33285/1999-6934-2022-3(129)-51-56

7. Alekseev A. A., Syromyatnikova A. S., Ivanov A. R. Main causes of metal structures failure in Arctic conditions / Territoriya Neftegaz. 2021. Nos. 11 – 12. P. 64 – 72 [in Russian].

8. Khudyakova L. P., Kharisov R. A., Shestakov A. A., Farkhetdinov I. R. Investigation of the methods to estimate the external corrosion rate of underground pipelines / Nauka Tekhnol. Truboprovod. Transp. Nefti Nefteprod. 2021. Vol. 11. No. 6. P. 706 – 716 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.28999/2541-9595-2021-11-6-706-716

9. ELCUT in industry. http://elcut.ru/appl_r.htm (accessed 02.05.2025) [in Russian].

10. Sokolov R. A., Novikov V. F., Muratov K. R. Investigation of corrosion properties of structural steels using magnetic characteristics / Industr. Lab. Mater. Diagn. 2022. Vol. 88. No. 12. P. 44 – 50 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.26896/1028-6861-2022-88-12-44-50

11. Zozulko R. A., Latypov O. R., Bugai D. E., et al. Complex of monitoring of sub-film corrosion of main gas pipelines / Gaz. Prom. 2022. No. 6(834). P. 90 – 95 [in Russian].

12. Tkachenko V. N. Electrochemical protection of the pipeline networks. — Moscow: Stroyizdat, 2004. — 320 p. [in Russian].

13. Ustinov V. P., Novikov V. F., Muratov K. R., et al. Features of electrochemical protection operation with local anodes in northern conditions / Akad. Zh. Zap. Sib. 2016. Vol. 12. No. 1. P. 25 – 27 [in Russian].

14. Sulimina E. Yu. Methods of cathodic protection regulation at periodic polarization / Glob. Nauch. Potentsial. 2012. No. 13. P. 94 – 99 [in Russian].

15. Semenova I. V., Florianovich G. M., Khoroshilov A. V. Corrosion and Corrosion Protection. — Moscow: Fiziko-matematicheskaya literatura, 2006. — 336 p. [in Russian].

16. Sirota D. S., Ulikhin N. A. Analysis of methods for control of gas main pipelines corrosion protection by the potential value using reference electrodes. — Moscow: Gazprom VNIIGAZ, 2011 [in Russian].

17. Popov V. A., Korzunin G. S. Experience of using the extended flexible anodes in the system of electrochemical corrosion protection of the main gas pipelines / Defektoskopiya. 2012. No. 3. P. 40 – 48 [in Russian].

18. Stepanova V. F., Rosenthal N. K., Moiseeva N. A. Cathodic electrochemical protection of reinforcement from corrosion in reinforced concrete structures / Prom. Grazhd. Stroit. 2023. No. 12. P. 46 – 50 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.33622/0869-7019.2023.12.46-50

19. Yavorskaya E. E., Isupova E. V., Aginei R. V. Improvement of the methodology of assessment of ground conditions of industrial sites in the design of electrochemical corrosion protection system / Nauka Tekh. Gaz. Prom. 2022. No. 3(91). P. 65 – 78 [in Russian].

20. Savenok O. V., Gorpinchenko A. N., Poryvkin P. P. Analysis of corrosion-mechanical failures of structural materials of oil-and-gas field equipment / Nauka. Tekh. Tekhnol. 2022. No. 3. P. 133 – 147 [in Russian].

21. Gutman E. M. Mechanochemistry of metals and corrosion protection. — Moscow: Metallurgiya, 1981. — 270 p. [in Russian].

22. Romaniuk V. N., Strutskiy N. V. Place of insulating coatings in ensuring the reliability of steel underground gas pipelines / Vestn. PGU. 2023. No. 3. P. 11 – 20 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.52928/2070-1683-2023-35-3-11-20

23. Vagapov R. K., Lopatkin V. A., Manikhin O. Yu. Metallographic study of gas pipeline steel with a local defect / Tekhnol. Met. 2023. No. 2. P. 19 – 26 [in Russian]. DOI: 10.31044/1684-2499-2023-0-2-19-26