| Software for the Design of Cathodic Protection Systems
for Deep Water Risers 
Description A user-friendly software program and scientific tools that provide immediate and accurate results for the design of riser cathodic protection systems. The transfer of product from the ocean floor to a surface structure is a critical component of deep water petroleum production. This is accomplished by utilizing risers (catenary suspended pipelines). With the length of these risers extending thousands of feet, standard cathodic protection technology for conventional marine pipelines is not applicable. In marine pipelines, anodes are distributed along the pipeline as opposed to risers that have protective galvanic anodes at each or one end with differing boundary conditions for each end. This software program addresses these differences in a user-friendly and precise manner. Potential Applications A software program for the design of cathodic protection systems for deep water risers. Background of Invention Offshore petroleum production has been ongoing in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world for over 50 years. During the past one to two decades, a major change has transpired shifting the emphasis from relatively shallow to deep water locations. This has presented unique challenges in numerous technological areas. Due to strength and economic considerations, structural and high strength steel pipelines, either resting upon or buried beneath the sea floor, have historically served as the most viable production product transportation mode between the structures and shore. However, the relatively high native reactivity of steel requires one or more corrosion control measures including the combination of coatings and cathodic protection. Supporting Agencies This project was funded by the Minerals Management Service. 
Schematic of a floating production, storage, and offshore loading system (FRSO) with a riser that is connected at a non-zero resistance source at the bottom end, has no anodes along the suspension length, and electrically isolated from the surface structure where it terminates.
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Updated August 9, 2008 | 
