Application of Cathodic Protection for External Surfaces of Steel Well Casings

This NACE International standard recommended practice identifies procedures to determine the need for cathodic protection and the current requirements to achieve cathodic protection of well casings associated with oil and gas production and gas storage. It also outlines practices for the design and installation of cathodic protection systems and for their operation and maintenance. The purpose of this standard is to ensure more effective prevention of corrosion of well casings by making available reliable information about cathodic protection as it relates to well casings. This standard applies only to well casing exteriors and not to internal corrosion or to corrosion of other surface or downhole equipment. This standard, issued by NACE International Group Committee T-1 on Corrosion Control in Petroleum Production, was originally prepared in 1986 by Unit Committee T-1E on Cathodic Protection and Task Group T-1J-2, a component of Unit Committee T-1J on Storage Wells. It was reviewed by Task Group T-1E-12 and reaffirmed by Unit Committee T-1E in September 1994. The unit committee and task group memberships consist of representatives from oil and gas producing and storage companies, equipment manufacturers, consulting firms, and cathodic protection service companies. Included in the membership are persons involved in design, consulting, research, construction, maintenance, and manufacturing and supply of materials, all of whom are concerned with the establishment and maintenance of cathodic protection systems used with well casings.