Failures by Internal Current Transfer (ICT) – Detection, Mitigation, and Intelligent Design

Abstract Internal current transfer (ICT) is a commonly encountered failure mode in cathodically-protected (CP) pipeline systems that handle electrically conductive fluids. It is not thoroughly covered under current CP standards, specifications and training courses resulting in inconsistent industry approaches to detection and mitigation. Differences in data collection and testing methods, and a lack of a cohesive specification or standard makes it difficult to classify and discuss ICT with others, often resulting in ICT being left undetected or unresolved until asset failure. Multiple real-world examples of failure will be presented to evaluate what warning signs were available in survey data, and to demonstrate how reliance on one testing technique, data stream, or extrapolation of experience from other fields, can provide a false sense of security. ICT failures can and should be avoided by smart design choices made before the piping is installed and the CP system energized. Cost-effective mitigation options will also be discussed for existing systems, with examples of both and assessment of their effectiveness provided.