Methods and systems for detecting cathodic protection interference

Abstract

A method includes, using a structure monitoring system, obtaining a source reading of a first cathodic protection system. The method includes, using a structure management system, determining whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; obtaining an operation duration value, if the source reading is less than the source threshold; and determining whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold. The method includes obtaining a potential difference, if the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold; determining whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; obtaining a surface area, if the potential difference is greater than or equal the difference threshold; and determining whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold. The method includes obtaining a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of detecting cathodic protection interference for a structure, the method comprising:
 using a structure monitoring system operatively connected to a first cathodic protection system and the structure,
 wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to monitor a first current flow from the first cathodic protection system through the structure to a ground connection, 
 wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a source configured to control the first current flow; and 
 obtaining a source reading regarding the first current flow of the first cathodic protection system; and 
   using a structure management system operatively connected to the structure and the first cathodic protection system,
 wherein the structure management system is configured to control operation of the structure; 
 determining whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; 
 obtaining an operation duration value, if the source reading is less than the source threshold; 
 determining whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold; 
 obtaining a potential difference, if the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold; 
 determining whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; 
 obtaining a surface area, if the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold; 
 determining whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold; and 
 obtaining a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the structure monitoring system comprises:
 an ammeter configured to obtain the source reading; and 
 a first processor configured to transmit the source reading to the structure management system. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the source comprises a direct current source. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a first flowline configured to transport a fluid. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the first flowline is buried below a surface,   wherein a second flowline comprises a second cathodic protection system, and   wherein the cathodic protection interference of the first flowline is caused by stray currents from the second flowline.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 ,
 wherein the potential difference is an electrical continuity potential difference between the first flowline and the second flowline.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first cathodic protection system is a cathodic protection system. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 initiating, by the structure management system, an alarm if the severity probability is greater than a severity threshold; and 
 performing maintenance on the structure to prevent structural failure of the structure. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 transmitting, by the structure management system, severity probability data in a severity assessment report to a user device,
 wherein the user device is coupled to the first cathodic protection system, 
 wherein the user device is configured to obtain a user selection within a user interface regarding an alarm and a maintenance operation of the structure. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4 ,
 wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a second processor configured to control the first current flow,   wherein the first cathodic protection system is coupled to a gas plant and a gathering system configured to gather gas from a plurality of gas wells and transport the gas via the first flowline.   
     
     
         11 . A system of detecting cathodic protection interference for a structure, the system comprising:
 a structure monitoring system is operatively connected to a first cathodic protection system and the structure,
 wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to monitor a first current flow from the first cathodic protection system through the structure to a ground connection, 
 wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a source and is configured to control the first current flow from the source, and 
 wherein the structure monitoring system is configured to obtain a source reading regarding the first current flow of the first cathodic protection system; and 
   a structure management system is operatively connected to the structure and the first cathodic protection system,
 wherein the structure management system is configured to:
 control operation of the structure; 
 determine whether the source reading is less than a source threshold; 
 obtain an operation duration value, if the source reading is less than the source threshold; 
 determine whether the operation duration value is greater than an operation duration threshold; 
 obtain a potential difference, if the operation duration value is greater than an operation threshold; 
 determine whether the potential difference is greater than or equal to a difference threshold; 
 obtain a surface area, if the potential difference is greater than or equal to the difference threshold; 
 determine whether the surface area is greater than an area threshold; and 
 obtain a severity probability, if the surface area is greater than the area threshold. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the structure monitoring system comprises:
 an ammeter configured to obtain the source reading; and 
 a first processor configured to transmit the source reading to the structure management system. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the source comprises a direct current source. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structure is a first flowline configured to transport a fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 ,
 wherein the first flowline is buried below a surface,   wherein a second flowline comprises a second cathodic protection system, and   wherein the cathodic protection interference of the first flowline is caused by stray currents from the second flowline.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the potential difference is an electrical continuity potential difference between the first flowline and the second flowline.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first cathodic protection system is a cathodic protection system. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the structure management system is configured to:
 initiate an alarm if the severity probability is greater than a severity threshold; and   perform maintenance on the structure to prevent structural failure of the structure.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising:
 transmitting, by the structure management system, severity probability data in a severity assessment report to a user device,
 wherein the user device is coupled to the first cathodic protection system, 
 wherein the user device is configured to obtain a user selection within a user interface regarding an alarm and a maintenance operation of the structure. 
 
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the first cathodic protection system comprises a second processor configured to control the first current flow,   wherein the first cathodic protection system is coupled to a gas plant and a gathering system configured to gather gas from a plurality of gas wells and transport the gas via the first flowline.