SwRI: Product Evaluation--Subsea Pipeline Pads, Corrosion Testing and Research

Articulating concrete mattresses, also called construction mats, are used to separate, stabilize and protect offshore pipelines. Special pads, typically made from polymer materials, are designed to minimize damage to coatings on subsea pipelines from the concrete mats. Some pads act as shields and prevent cathodic protection from protecting areas where coating damage exists.

 

Tests were conducted at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) to evaluate different cathodic protection permeable pad designs.

 

image of corrosion under an impermeable pad   image of corrosion under an impermeable pad

Corrosion under an impermeable pad

 

image of measured potentials used to determine cathodic protection shielding

Measured potentials used to determine cathodic protection shielding

 

For more information about product evaluation of subsea pipeline pads capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Elizabeth Trillo, Ph.D., at etrillo@swri.org or (210) 522-4210.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.