Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is a serious threat to the integrity of onshore transmission pipelines and can lead to unexpected failures. Due to this, DNV GL is appealing to its partners to collaborate in a Joint Industry Project (JIP) to work on developing a Recommended Practice (RP) for the detection and mitigation of MIC.
Oftentimes, external MIC is a result of microorganisms on the outside of the pipeline system. It is one of the leading causes of corrosion failures in onshore pipelines across the world. These microorganisms often attach to metal surfaces and form biofilms (complex microbial ecosystems), which change the electrochemical conditions on the metal surface so that corrosion can be induced locally, usually manifesting as pitting. It is very difficult to prevent this type of rapid corrosion without excavating the suspected site to run tests.
The JIP will help focus attentions on the prevention of MIC by exploring the role of coating condition and cathodic protection in the occurrence and prevention of MIC and finding practical means to support pipeline operators in detecting possible MIC sites by testing and selecting the best measurement techniques. The final outcome of the JIP will be an industry-wide Recommended Practice establishing industry guidelines to predict, detect and mitigate the occurrence of MIC.