An assessment of the current criteria for cathodic protection of buried steel pipelines

A laboratory study was conducted to assess the criteria for cathodic protection of a buried pipeline. The specific cathodic protection potential requirements to prevent pitting and general corrosion of steel were determined in six natural soils with various amounts of moisture and oxygen (aerated or deaerated). The effects of temperature, anaerobic bacteria and steel surface condition on the specific requirements in selected soils were also assessed.