Specialist Surveys

Drone assisted Surveys

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides drone-assisted surveys to support cathodic protection, pipeline integrity and maintenance activities. Drone technology allows long or difficult-to-access pipeline routes to be inspected efficiently while reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous or challenging terrain.

Drone surveys can be used alongside CIPS,DCVG, ACVG and Depth of Cover surveys to provide aerial imagery and accurate route information. They are particularly useful for remote areas, river crossings, steep slopes, farmland, marshland and environmentally sensitive locations.

Our inhouse adapted drone can also carry out river crossing cathodic protection surveys, reducing the need for personnel to enter the water.

Our drone-assisted services can also include:

• Aerial inspection and mapping of pipeline routes
• Identification of damaged or missing pipeline markers
• Location of test posts and cathodic protection equipment
• Inspection of transformer rectifiers and groundbed areas
• Assessment of river crossings, landfalls and coastal sections
• Identification of erosion, flooding and ground movement
• Detection of exposed or shallow pipeline sections
• Recording of excavation, construction and third-party activity
• High-resolution photography and video
• GPS-referenced recording of defects and areas of concern
• Planning safe access for survey and maintenance teams
• Monitoring the condition of previously identified locations

Drone-assisted surveys complement rather than replace direct cathodic protection testing. Areas of concern identified from the air are investigated using appropriate ground-based measurements and inspection techniques.

Following completion, R & R Corrosion can provide a detailed report containing route mapping, GPS-referenced photographs, aerial imagery, identified defects and recommendations for further investigation, maintenance or remedial work.

Soil and Electrolyte resistivity testing and analysis

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides drone-assisted surveys to support cathodic protection, pipeline integrity and maintenance activities. Drone technology allows long or difficult-to-access pipeline routes to be inspected efficiently while reducing the need for personnel to enter hazardous or challenging terrain.

Drone surveys can be used alongside CIPS,DCVG, ACVG and Depth of Cover surveys to provide aerial imagery and accurate route information. They are particularly useful for remote areas, river crossings, steep slopes, farmland, marshland and environmentally sensitive locations.

Our inhouse adapted drone can also carry out river crossing cathodic protection surveys, reducing the need for personnel to enter the water.

Our drone-assisted services can also include:

• Aerial inspection and mapping of pipeline routes
• Identification of damaged or missing pipeline markers
• Location of test posts and cathodic protection equipment
• Inspection of transformer rectifiers and groundbed areas
• Assessment of river crossings, landfalls and coastal sections
• Identification of erosion, flooding and ground movement
• Detection of exposed or shallow pipeline sections
• Recording of excavation, construction and third-party activity
• High-resolution photography and video
• GPS-referenced recording of defects and areas of concern
• Planning safe access for survey and maintenance teams
• Monitoring the condition of previously identified locations

Drone-assisted surveys complement rather than replace direct cathodic protection testing. Areas of concern identified from the air are investigated using appropriate ground-based measurements and inspection techniques.

Following completion, R & R Corrosion can provide a detailed report containing route mapping, GPS-referenced photographs, aerial imagery, identified defects and recommendations for further investigation, maintenance or remedial work.

Current Injection - Drain Survey

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides current injection and current-drain surveys to determine the cathodic protection current required by a buried or immersed metallic structure. These surveys support the design of new CP systems, the modification of existing installations and the investigation of poor or uneven protection.

During the survey, a temporary DC power source and anode system are used to apply a controlled current to the structure. Structure-to-electrolyte potentials are measured before, during and after current application to establish how the structure responds and how effectively the injected current is distributed.

Our current injection and drain surveys can include:

• Recording baseline structure-to-electrolyte potentials
• Installation of a temporary current source and anode system
• Application and controlled adjustment of DC current
• ON and instant-OFF potential measurements
• Assessment of potential shift and polarisation
• Measurement of current attenuation along the structure
• Investigation of electrical continuity and isolation
• Assessment of proposed groundbed locations
• Identification of areas with high current demand
• Evaluation of coating condition and possible shielding
• Monitoring of nearby structures for electrical interaction
• GPS-referenced recording of measurements and test locations

Where appropriate, R & R Corrosion can use its NEXUS data-logging equipment and Pulsar GPS-synchronised current interruption to collect and analyse potential measurements along the pipeline route.

The recorded results are used to estimate the current required to achieve the specified protection criteria and assess whether the proposed CP configuration can distribute that current effectively. They can also support the sizing and selection of transformer rectifiers, anodes, ground beds and associated cables.

Following completion, R & R Corrosion provides a detailed technical report containing the test arrangement, injected-current levels, potential response, attenuation profiles, interaction findings and recommendations for the design, modification or optimisation of the permanent cathodic protection system.

Isolation Joint - Insulation Flange Testing

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides isolation-joint and insulating-flange testing to confirm that electrical isolation is being maintained between pipeline sections, connected pipework and other metallic structures.

Effective electrical isolation helps retain cathodic protection current within the intended structure, reduces unnecessary current loss and prevents interaction with foreign or unprotected assets. A defective or bypassed isolation point can significantly reduce CP system performance.

Our testing services can include:

• Structure-to-electrolyte potential measurements on both sides
• Measurement of the voltage difference across the isolation point
• Cathodic protection ON and instant-OFF response testing
• Insulation resistance and conductance measurements
• Radio-frequency isolation testing
• Testing with cathodic protection isolation-joint analysers
• Assessment of surge-protection devices and decouplers
• Inspection of insulating flange kits and associated components
• Investigation of suspected leakage or short circuits
• Identification of unintended metallic or electrical bypasses
• Recording and comparison with previous test results

Where an isolation point is found to be ineffective, R & R Corrosion can investigate possible bypass paths through earthing systems, supports, bonding cables, instrumentation, parallel pipework, protective devices or damaged insulation components.

Where appropriate, repairs may include removing unintended bonds, correcting cable connections, replacing defective decouplers or surge-protection devices, repairing pipe supports or replacing flange insulation components. Testing is repeated after the work to confirm that effective isolation has been restored.

Following completion, R & R Corrosion provides a detailed report containing the test methods, measured results, assessment of the isolation point, identified defects and practical recommendations for repair or further investigation.

Interaction Testing (3rd Parties)

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides third-party interaction testing to determine whether a cathodically protected pipeline or structure is affecting—or being affected by—nearby metallic assets and electrical systems.

Interaction can occur where pipelines cross or run parallel, where cathodic protection current transfers between structures, or where nearby electrical installations introduce AC or DC interference. If not properly controlled, interaction can result in inadequate protection, accelerated corrosion, coating damage or electrical safety risks.

Potential sources can include:

• Adjacent cathodically protected pipelines
• Foreign pipeline crossings and parallel routes
• High-voltage overhead power lines and substations
• DC railway and traction systems
• Earthing networks and electrical installations
• Welding and industrial power systems
• New CP systems or modifications to existing installations
• Unintended bonds between metallic structures

Our interaction testing services can include:

• Baseline structure-to-electrolyte potential measurements
• Simultaneous monitoring of the affected and interfering structures
• GPS-synchronised interruption of relevant CP current sources
• Assessment of potential shifts during switching
• Measurement of current through interaction bonds and shunts
• AC and DC voltage measurements
• Long-term data logging of fluctuating or intermittent interference
• Testing at crossings, parallel sections and other critical locations
• Verification of interference-bond operation and adjustment
• Liaison and coordinated testing with third-party asset operators

Where appropriate, R & R Corrosion can use its NEXUS data-logging equipment and Pulsar GPS-synchronised current interrupters to record and correlate the response of each structure during testing.

The results are analysed to identify current pick-up and discharge areas, determine the source and severity of the interaction, and assess the associated corrosion or safety risk. Recommended mitigation may include CP system adjustment, installation or modification of interference bonds, additional monitoring, electrical isolation, decoupling or earthing measures.

Following completion, R & R Corrosion provides a detailed report containing the test methodology, synchronised measurements, interaction assessment, conclusions and practical recommendations.

Stray Current Surveys

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides stray-current surveys to identify and assess unwanted electrical currents that may enter and leave buried or immersed metallic structures. Where stray current discharges from a pipeline or structure, it can cause accelerated corrosion and potentially significant localised metal loss.

Potential sources of stray current include:

• Nearby cathodic protection systems
• DC railway and traction networks
• HVDC installations
• Welding and industrial electrical equipment
• Earthing systems and buried metallic structures
• Mining and marine electrical systems
• Intermittent or poorly controlled DC power sources

Our stray-current surveys can include:

• Structure-to-electrolyte potential measurements
• Extended-duration potential monitoring
• AC and DC voltage measurements
• Current measurements through bonds and shunts
• Soil voltage-gradient measurements
• Simultaneous monitoring at multiple locations
• GPS-synchronised interruption of suspected CP current sources
• Assessment of current pick-up and discharge areas
• Investigation of fluctuating or intermittent electrical activity
• Testing at pipeline crossings and parallel sections
• Correlation with the operation of suspected interference sources
• Evaluation of existing interference bonds and mitigation systems

Where appropriate, R & R Corrosion can use its NEXUS data-logging equipment to record high-resolution, time-referenced measurements over extended periods. Data from several locations can be compared to identify recurring patterns and establish their relationship with nearby electrical systems or third-party assets.

The collected information is analysed to determine the source, direction and severity of the stray current and assess the associated corrosion risk. Recommended mitigation may include adjustment of CP system outputs, installation or modification of interference bonds, electrical isolation, decoupling, earthing measures or additional permanent monitoring.

Following completion, R & R Corrosion provides a detailed technical report containing the survey methodology, recorded data, graphical analysis, identified sources, areas of concern and practical recommendations for remedial action.

Data Logging and Analysis

R & R Corrosion Ltd provides cathodic protection data logging and specialist analysis to monitor system performance, investigate intermittent faults and identify electrical interference that may not be detected during a single site visit.

Using our NEXUS data-logging system and other specialist monitoring equipment, measurements can be recorded continuously or at programmed intervals over periods ranging from short diagnostic tests to extended monitoring campaigns.

Our services can include recording andanalysis of:

• Structure-to-electrolyte potentials
• CP system ON and instant-OFF potentials
• Polarisation and depolarisation measurements
• Transformer-rectifier voltage and current output
• AC and DC pipeline voltages
• Current flow through bonds, anodes and shunts
• Reference-electrode and monitoring-coupon measurements
• Electrical resistance probe readings
• Stray-current and third-party interaction effects
• Remote-monitoring system data

Where required, NEXUS data loggers can be used with GPS-synchronised current interrupters to accurately correlate measurements with the switching cycles of relevant cathodic protection systems. Multiple locations can also be monitored simultaneously to investigate current movement and interaction across a wider network.

Following collection, our experienced corrosion engineers validate and analyse the data to:

• Identify trends, fluctuations and recurring patterns
• Locate periods of inadequate or excessive protection
• Investigate intermittent CP system faults
• Assess AC, DC and stray-current interference
• Evaluate current distribution and attenuation
• Compare results with historical survey information
• Assess performance against the applicable CP criteria
• Prioritise maintenance and further investigation

R & R Corrosion provides a detailed technical report containing the monitoring arrangement, recorded data, graphical plots, engineering interpretation, conclusions and practical recommendations. This gives clients a clear understanding of system performance and supports maintenance planning, fault resolution and long-term asset-integrity management.