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Benefits of a non-contact FiGS® CP survey
Integrity management & life extension of subsea pipelines & structures with FiGS® CP survey
FiGS® CP survey is a unique approach to integrity management and life extension of offshore structures and pipelines with cathodic protection (CP). On both exposed and buried pipelines and structures, it provides an accurate condition assessment and detects even minor coating damages. FiGS® is a field gradient sensor that measures current output from anodes, current density of steels and current drain, along with a potential profile of buried pipelines.
Better decisions for less
Performing a FiGS® CP survey provides you with an accurate image of the assets condition, which allows for qualified decisions and substantial cost savings when considering life extension and anode replacement. You increase your return on investment, while getting the confidence level you desire. Click here to see a case showing vessel cost savings.
Ground breaking technology for subsea assets with cathodic protection
FiGS® CP survey sets a new standard with regards to sensitivity (signal to noise ratio), being about 50 times more sensitive than other sensors on the market. The high sensitivity is key to get viable data on buried structures and allows inspections from a greater distance, making it fit for combination with GVI surveys.
It also provides the direction of the electric currents, enabling us to pinpoint areas of interest, such as coating damages, faulty anodes, stray currents and more. Knowing the strength and direction of the electrical fields tells us which anodes are protecting what, and how they interact with each other. This provides excellent input to CP computer modelling of single structures, or even entire fields.
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The man behind the technology
Four years of demanding R&D work has resulted in the world’s most sensitive underwater sensor: FiGS. And the man behind the technology, Jens Christofer Werenskiold, is continuing his work
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General questions about FiGS® CP survey
What is FiGS® CP survey?
FiGS® is an award-winning field gradient sensor that can be used to assess the condition of the corrosion protection system (coating combined with cathodic protection) on subsea assets such as pipelines, templates, manifolds, jackets, etc. It is an advanced integrity management inspection tool, with 50 times the detection level of any other technology available. With FiGS® CP survey, maintenance and inspection operations can be planned using a risk based approach on a long-term basis, extending inspection intervals as well as optimising the offshore vessel time and minimising interventions required.
Watch our video for a quick introduction:
What can a FiGS® CP survey do for our company?
A FiGS® CP inspection provides a full integrity assessment of any subsea assets’ corrosion protection system (coating + CP). FiGS® is a non-contact CP tool that determines current output from anodes, steel current density, current drain to nearby assets (e.g. wells) and more (see list below). We combining FIGS® data with over 40 years of experience in the field of integrity management and cathodic protection, offering you a full overview of the integrity, subsea.
A FiGS® CP survey report includes:
- Potential profile plot for pipelines
- Potential distribution plot for 3D structures, to identify hotspots/areas of under-protection
- Anode current output (pipeline and structure anodes)
- Effective steel current density (including coating breakdown for coated pipelines/structures)
- Service life expectancy of the CP system in years (i.e. remaining life of sacrificial anodes)
- Recommended time to next inspection based on condition of CP system
- Current drain (from anodes on pipeline/structures to adjacent structures, e.g. drain to well from anodes on X-mas trees)
- Coating damages, with position and current supplied
Based on the above, the need for a CP retrofit can be identified. If a CP retrofit is required, FiGS® data can be used to minimise the extent of retrofit required by basing the retrofit design on steel current density determined by FiGS®; these are typically lower than the CP design requirements of e.g. DNVGL-RB-401 (CP design for structures) or ISO 15589-2 (CP design for pipelines).
How can we benefit from using FiGS® CP survey over conventional CP and field gradient measurement techniques?
As seen in the graphic below, there are several reasons for using FiGS® as an inspection tool.
Conventional methods only provide a potential or field gradient (activity) profile/distribution. FiGS® on the other hand, in combination with CP modelling using FORCE Technology software SeaCorrTM, provides much more information. It reveals anode current output (and hence estimated anode wastage), current density on bare (uncoated) steel, effective current density on coated steel, the presence of coating damages (such as damages to the outer sheath of flexible pipelines and jumpers), as well as current drain from anodes to adjacent structures (e.g. to templates with wells).
FiGS® CP survey compared to conventional CP and field gradient measurement techniques:
Can we use FiGS® as a pipetracker?
No.
FiGS® measures the strength and direction of the electrical fields from anodes to cathodes (coating damages / bare steel). By using two sensors during pipeline inspection, it can be used to triangulate the position of anodes and coating damages. This may prove useful in areas where a traditional pipetracker is not able to track the pipe, due to high burial depth; FiGS® can theoretically triangulate anodes down to 10 meters burial depth. In such cases, FiGS® can aid in locating anode locations for correction of pipe routing. As FiGS® is a passive system, it will not be able to continuously triangulate the pipe like a pipetracker, unless the pipeline coating is continuously heavily damaged, being provided with anode current more or less on a continuous basis.
Triangulation of anode and cathode location:
FiGS® has also been used to locate buried flexible couplings during installation of new flexibles, by locating the anode on the flexible pipe coupling, limiting the excavation to a targeted area.
How can the potential be determined without contact?
FiGS® itself does not require contact with the pipeline/structure to create a potential profile/distribution plot; the potential profile is calculated and modelled with Seacorr™. However, to fix the potential profile/distribution there are two techniques that can be used:
- Perform a few contact CP stab measurements (e.g. at each end of a flowline) to verify the calculated profile/distribution.
- Use the open circuit potential of an anode as reference (e.g. 1050mV exposed and 1000mV buried)
For a CP system in the maintenance (stable) phase, potential data from earlier surveys can be considered.
Both above methods have been proven through numerous validation tests with conventional contact measurements and have been approved through several TRL7 (proven technology) qualification with International O&G majors.
Pipelines: What are the advantages with FiGS®?
A FiGS® survey can be conducted with an ROV flying at a speed of up to 6 km/h without losing valuable information. This is faster than any other advanced CP inspection tool on the market. FiGS® can also be positioned higher above the pipeline and still obtain valuable data. The increased speed saves costly vessel time, while the larger measurement distance decreases risks associated with the flight of the ROV.
Buried pipelines: What are the advantages with FiGS®?
FiGS® can be used on buried, trenched or rock dumped pipelines, obtaining the same information as with an exposed pipeline, see graphic below. Surveys can be performed on pipelines buried down to a depth of 10 m.
Signal measured by FiGS® on buried pipeline – detection of anode and coating damage (cathode):
FiGS® can be used together with active pipe trackers (e.g. TSS440) since the signals from the pipe tracker does not affect the sensor readings. This feature reduces the offshore time as a pre-survey with a pipe tracker is not required. This results in significant cost savings, mainly related to the vessel rental.
Subsea structures and jackets: What are the advantages with FiGS®?
A typical FiGS® survey on a subsea structure usually takes 0.5 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the structure and the capabilities of the ROV. A jacket survey will normally take 3 to 12 hours depending on the size of the jacket and the number of anodes installed. The major advantage of FiGS® on structures is the large amount of information obtained over a relatively short amount of time. Data is combined with detailed CP models developed using the FORCE Technology software SeaCorrTM and combined with our extensive experience with CP modelling; this allows for identification of hotspots, e.g. areas of under-protection (see image below), as well as the impact of CP current drain e.g. to wells.
Potential distribution on subsea structure based on FiGS®- areas of under-protection (potentials positive of -800 mV) identified:
Subsea fields: What are the advantages with FiGS®?
In combination with CP modelling using the FORCE Technology software SeaCorrTM, FiGS® data allows for the assessment of status and life expectancy of the CP systems on entire subsea fields, consisting of pipelines, subsea structures and/or jackets.
A CP survey covering all the assets of a subsea field will identify the interactions between different CP systems, such as anodes on one structure/pipeline providing CP current to an adjacent structure/pipeline, e.g. due to a depleted CP system on the latter. Also, quantifying the current supplied as drain to connected structures that themselves do not require CP, such as platform or subsea wells, will allow for a more accurate prediction of remaining anode life. Such CP drain is typically seen on structures directly connected to wells (templates, X-mas trees, etc.), but also on pipelines, where anodes as far as 10 km away from a template has been seen to supply drain current. In these cases, the pipeline anodes installed right next to the template are already seen as heavily depleted or are predicted to become depleted before the end of the CP design life.
Thus, performing a FiGS® CP survey covering the entire subsea field allows for an assessment of the overall status of the field, effectively identifying areas of concern. Looking at the entire subsea field as one unit instead of several stand-alone units provides valuable information for CP/integrity management. Based on the results in terms of anode remaining life and modelled potential distribution, a risk-based approach to inspection can be selected. This makes it easy to differentiate between CP systems where anode consumption is low and remaining life exceeds the remaining service life (where the interval to the next inspection can be extended), and CP systems with concerns, e.g. regarding drain issues, where more frequent inspections are required. Overall, this equals cost savings since unnecessary CP surveys can be avoided and effort can be focused on specific areas of concern and on identifying when intervention/corrective measures (e.g. CP retrofit) are required. One section of a subsea field with FiGS® data overlaying the model is shown in the graphic below.
Result from FiGS® CP survey mapping of electric field around manifolds and wells interconnected with rigid spools:
Field gradient surveys have been carried out for many years; in what way is FiGS® different?
The frequently used Cell to Cell technique is based on a twin cell probe with fixed reference electrodes in a distance, typically 30-50 cm. This technology has weaknesses in terms of accuracy because of signal noise, which during post processing is filtered to obtain a smooth line. In this process there is a risk that possible issues like coating damages are not discovered. This can happen because some of the signals are interpreted as noise instead of being picked up as a significant coating damage.
In addition, drifting of Ag/AgCl reference electrodes may also affect the accuracy of measured signals. With a FiGS® CP survey, the noise and drifting of reference electrodes are reduced to negligible levels because the cells are in close inter distance, ca 5 cm and rotate 180 degrees measuring every quarter clock position (4hz). This way, FiGS® can also measure the direction of the field, giving additional valuable information like drain to adjacent structures, pipelines etc. FiGS® does not require any form of calibration and can be run continuously from start to end of the pipeline/asset.
Who is behind FiGS®?
FORCE Technology Norway is the owner of FiGS® CP survey.
Technical questions about FiGS® CP survey
How close to the asset does FiGS® need to be?
Pipeline
The distance between FiGS® and pipeline depends on factors such as the extent of pipeline exposure (fully or partially exposed pipelines) or depth of burial (buried pipelines), but also on other factors governing the activity of the anodes (e.g. to what extent pipeline anodes supply current towards adjacent structures (drain). It is normally recommended to fly 1.5 to 3 m above exposed pipelines and 0.7 to 1.3 m above the seabed for buried pipelines, but the latter recommendation depends to a large extent on depth of burial. For exposed pipelines with anodes showing normal activity, FiGS® detects all anodes even at a survey height 8 to 10 m above top of pipe. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
Subsea structures
For subsea structures, mapping of the electric field is usually performed at a distance of 0.5 to 1.5 m between the sensor and top or side of structure. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
Jackets
Jacket surveys are typically performed by FiGS® contact point measurements using a distance piece. The FiGS® is held close to the area of interest for a few seconds, before moving on to the next point. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
How do you connect up FiGS® to the ROV/AUV
FiGS® is connected to the ROV through a RS-232 connection which is supplied by the survey company. For pipelines and subsea structures (two sensors used), two connections are required, for jackets (one sensor used), one connection is required.
Is there a minimum distance between FiGS® and the ROV?
For working class ROVs, the general recommendation is to mount FiGS® 1.5 m in front of the ROV to minimize the impact of the electric field surrounding the ROV. The given electric field will vary from ROV to ROV. A part of the start-up routine in a FiGS® CP survey is an assessment of the actual impact of the ROV on the FiGS® measurements. In some cases, FiGS® has been mounted very close to the ROV, but then data has been analyzed considering the impact of the ROV; this consideration increases the time required to perform the analyses.
What equipment does FORCE Technology bring to the survey?
FORCE Technology will bring a sensor kit. The kit consists of the following:
- One (1) or two (2) FiGS® sensors, depending on the scope of work (jacket or pipeline/subsea structur).
- One (1) spare FiGS® sensor.
- Brackets for FiGS®
- Tools and spares for FiGS®
- FiGS® mounting GRP beam. The GRP beam is used to mount the FiGS® sensors onto a frame that is supplied by the ROV company.
A generic example of this mounting system; FiGS® mounting GRP beam (grey, supplied by FORCE) with frame (green, supplied by ROV company), installed on ROV (orange). Two FiGS® sensors is pipeline configuration (sensors on either end of GRP beam) or subsea structure configuration (angled sensors on GRP beam midsection):
What is the difference between a pipeline (2D) setup and a subsea structure (3D) setup in terms of mounting FiGS® sensors?
Different setups for pipelines and subsea structures. In the pipeline (2D) setup, the two sensors are mounted in parallel on each end of the GRP beam. In the subsea structure (3D) setup, the two sensors are mounted in the middle of the beam, oriented at a 90-degree angle to each other:
Does FiGS® eliminate the need for a CP stabber?
FiGS® data combined with CP modelling can create a potential profile for a pipeline and the potential distribution on a subsea structure or jacket. CP stabbing (on bare (uncoated) steel) is however preferred to verify the potential profile/distribution, i.e. only a few measurements are needed for this purpose. For pipelines, we generally recommend one CP stab measurement at the start and end of the pipelines (e.g. on the flanges connecting the pipelines to the adjacent structures).
For very long pipelines, 1-2 additional CP stab points on bare (uncoated) steel (or anodes) on the pipeline midsection are also recommended. Results from CP stab measurements performed 1-2 years prior to the FiGS® survey can also be used as reference. For subsea structures, one single reference stab is required, but 3 measurements are recommended to verify reproducibility. Jackets are similar to structures in this respect, but may require a few more CP stab points, depending on the size of the jacket. In general, it is recommended to stab on each leg at minimum 2 elevations.
Can FiGS® be used with any type of ROV?
FiGS® can be mounted on anything from large working class ROVs to smaller inspection class ROVs. The only requirement is that the ROV can return the NAV data on the required format and allows for maneuvering with the FiGS® sensors mounted. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
What kind of AUV can FiGS® be used with?
FiGS® has been tested on AUVs, but this technology is still under development. We hope to finish testing and have this option commercially available in 2019. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
How much does FiGS® weigh?
The relevant weight of the FiGS® sensor (versions 1.0 and 1.5) are summarised below.
Summary of weights – FiGS® sensor version 1.0 and 1.5:
What are the dimensions of the FiGS® sensor?
Overall dimensions of the sensor (in mm):
Does FiGS® need any calibration?
No, FiGS® only requires a static measurement test in the start of the survey; this takes about 15 minutes. This is required only once, unless there is a change of setup of the sensors. The change of setup is only required if you need to inspect infield structures instead of pipelines, as structures require a 3D FiGS® setup. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
Can FiGS® be used together with a pipe tracker?
Yes, FiGS® works together with a pipe tracker; they operate on different frequencies and therefore do not interfere with one another. In some cases, FiGS® can provide additional information regarding pipes location if it’s buried too deep for the pipe tracker to detect. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
Does FiGS® eliminate the need for a pipe tracker?
No. FiGS® is a passive system and can only detect if there are active currents going from the anode to i.e the coating damage (cathode). It can be used to pinpoint active anode locations and coating damages that are buried, as FiGS® will detect the difference in current output. It won’t be able to see the pipeline between the anodes or eventual coating damages.
What kind of navigational system does FiGS® require?
FiGS® needs to know the location relative to top of pipeline. In most cases, we use multibeam, INS, Cathyx lasers or an altimeter to give us the relative position from the sensors to the pipeline. This is supplied by the ROV/AUV company.
Are there any navigational systems that should not be used together with FiGS®?
Doppler.
Operative questions about FiGS® CP survey
Where in the world does FiGS® operate?
FORCE Technology provides FiGS® CP surveys worldwide, having done several surveys in Scandinavia, Europe, Malaysia, North America and Australia. We currently have 18 operators and 12 IMR contractors on our client list. We are always open for new markets and countries to operate from. For further details, please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
How many operators are needed to conduct a FiGS® CP survey?
Two operators are needed for a 24-hour operation. One operator is needed for a 12-hour operation. FiGS® requires the personnel to be trained in our facilities in Norway, which is why we usually supply both equipment and personnel for each survey.
How many FiGS® sensors are required for a survey?
Normally FORCE uses 2 FiGS® sensors on a pipeline survey. In theory this can be done with 1 sensor, should the ROV be so small that it cannot handle 2. This has been done in the past with good success.
For structures, 2 sensors are required. This is due to the 3D setup that is used to model up the asset. For jacket surveys only 1 sensor is required, as this is done with a non-contact point measurement setup. For further information regarding the different setups please contact “cp-survey@figs.no”.
How long does it take to mobilise FiGS® on the ROV?
It usually takes about 15 minutes to mount FiGS® on the ROV. The same applies for the switch in setups from 2D (pipeline setup) to 3D (infield structure setup).
