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FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) structures present some interesting cathodic protection challenges. Are they ships or
floating production platforms? Is impressed current cathodic protection the way to go? How do we handle protecting the ballast tanks? What
about the mooring systems? Can the cathodic protection systems that we install last 25 years without dry dock maintenance? These and a
number of other questions are addressed.


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FPSO's generally fall into two categories; new build vessels and conversions. There is no doubt however in either case that the end result
still looks like a ship (Figures 1 and 2 below). When considering cathodic protection strategy however, design concerns have little to do with
classifying the asset by appearance. Rather operability and longevity (for the intended life cycle) are the chief concerns.

Figure 1. Typical FPSO - Turret Moored

Figure 2. Typical FPSO - Spread Moored

The shipping industry is comfortable with ICCP (impressed current cathodic protection) systems for the hull. This reasoning is well justified
when one considers the operation and function of a tanker, for example. Impressed current systems offer a number of advantages for these
vessels:

1. The low profile of impressed current hull anodes reduces drag and saves fuel, ultimately reducing operating costs.

2. The small number of anode sites required for a hull ICCP system makes dry dock maintenance relatively straightforward. This also
reduces the amount of welding required on the hull exterior.

3. ICCP hull systems can be controlled according to cathodic protection potential, optimizing system performance in various geographical
areas, particularly when the ship moves from seawater to brackish or river water conditions.

4. The systems are fairly standard, and ship builders are quite familiar with them. This does lower initial installed cost.

5. Classing agencies are very familiar with systems, and they have pre-approved many designs.

The operation and function of an FPSO varies significantly from an ocean-going tanker in the following areas:

1. It is moored in one offshore location for protracted periods of time.

2. Regular dry-docking is not possible.

3. There are a number of appurtenances, risers, umbilical, mooring lines and turret structures that may be in close proximity to the hull.

These differences should be considered when developing a long term cathodic protection strategy. Certain implications of these differences
might prove to make the use of sacrificial anode systems more attractive to many cathodic protection designers.


  
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  - As with many other offshore structures, the primary corrosion control method is the coating applied to the hull. This "front-line" is
backed up by a cathodic protection system that takes care of exposed steel at coating defects. When designing the cathodic protection
system, it is necessary to predict how efficient the coating system will be initially, and also at the end of its life. Given that regular ocean-
going vessels are required to be dry-docked at intervals not exceeding 5 years, there is always an opportunity to repair or re-coat the hull
during the ships life, thus the coating degradation has only to be considered over this time span. An FPSO may be offshore for 15+ years.
This will require a re-evaluation of the coating performance at the end of this period, and the cathodic protection system will have to be
beefed up by some degree to deal with the increased bare steel area that will exist over the long life of the coating system.

Special attention must be paid to the compatibility of the coating system with cathodic protection, this is particularly true of impressed current
systems that will generate higher negative potential values at the edges of the dielectric shields associated with hull mounted anodes.


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  - Many vessels that are candidates for conversion to FPSO service are fitted with hull mounted
impressed current systems. For this reason most operators want to use the same system to protect the vessel in it's new role. If this is the
proposed strategy the following areas must be carefully considered to avoid problems later on in the life.

 
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  - The control reference electrode(s) monitor the potential of the hull at the area where they are located. This
signal is monitored by the controller built into the transformer rectifier power supply. The output current supplied from the anode systems is
perpetually adjusted to maintain the potential of the hull (within an acceptable range). On a regular ship system, electrodes will usually be
somewhat close to the anode locations (Fig. 3 below). This site selection is based on the desire to minimize the risk of coating damage at
areas where the potential is expected to be more negative. When other subsea structures are introduced, particularly turret structures and
risers, two problems can (and frequently do) arise;

1. Due to the intricate nature of the turret structure (Fig. 4 below) and the risers that pass through it, there may be problems of shielding that
make it difficult for the impressed current system to adequately polarize the annular spaces. This is usually addressed by locating sacrificial
anodes on some areas of the turret structure, to protect locally. Because the turret and the hull are electrically bonded, this can cause the
sacrificial anodes to also provide protective current to the hull. The control reference electrode may then sense protected potentials and will
not allow the impressed current system to activate. This can lead to early consumption of the small sacrificial anodes, accompanied by
subsequent under protection of critical areas.

2. The addition of dynamic riser components and the creation of more highly stressed joints associated with their support structures may shift
the priority of where high potentials or under protected potentials are unacceptable. The "standard" electrode locations may not lend this
degree of flexibility.

It is recommended that additional reference electrodes are located at these critical areas with a facility to have one of them control the
system if required. Existing electrodes can be used for monitoring rather than control. It is also a good idea to use dual element reference
electrodes (Fig. 5 below) the standard electrodes provided are normally not expected to last 15 - 20 years. The dual element electrodes
combine accuracy of silver/silver chloride sw (Ag/AgCl) with the long-term reliability of Zinc sw (Zn).
Figure 3. Typical Ship ICCP Layout (courtesy of Cathelco UK) Figure 4. Typical FPSO Turret Detail (Courtesy Statoil)

Figure 5. Permanent Dual Element Reference Electrode

(newer model info available here)

  "  - Hull mounted impressed current anodes have three major critical components:
1. The anode to supply cable connection, including hull penetration.

2. The dielectric shielding system.

3. The active anode element, including mounting.

The most important area here is the dielectric shielding system (Fig. 6 below). This is applied to the area of the hull immediately behind and
adjacent to the active anode element. In most systems the shielding system comprises a primary and secondary shield. The primary shield is
usually a fiberglass or thermoplastic sheet that goes under the anode and extends about one to two feet (30 - 60 cm) from the anode
element in all directions. It is often mechanically fastened to the hull with a sealing/bonding compound introduced between the shield and the
coated hull surface. The secondary shield is usually an area of high build epoxy or mastic coating that extends an additional distance of three
to four feet (90 - 120 cm) beyond the primary shield. The integrity of this shield is critical if the cathodic protection system is to distribute
protective current to all areas of the hull.

Any damage to the shield will result in unacceptably high potentials on the exposed hull (if the anode is operated anywhere close to its rated
current). This normally results in hydrogen evolution at the steel hull surface, which causes progressive disbondment failure of the shield to
the point where the anode can no longer be operated. This area is virtually always in need of maintenance during 5 yearly dry docking (and
thus causes concerns as a potential methodology for long-standing FPSO's). In some documented instances, only a coating was used for
both primary and secondary shield areas, varying only in applied thickness between the two sites; these systems should not be used.

Anode elements can usually be designed to last as long as required, so the protracted design life required for an FPSO may not be a
problem, provided that the dielectric shield holds up. However problems can arise, thus it is advisable to design the anode elements in such
a way as to allow divers to replace them easily. While most manufacturers claim to have this facility, the writer is not aware of a successful
offshore in-situ anode replacement having ever been completed.

Figure 6. Typical Hull Mounted ICCP Anode - Primary Dielectric Shield


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- Whenever an impressed current CP systems is used offshore it is important to be aware of potential
interference sites. In certain instances, cathodic protection currents can be picked up inductively on steel surfaces and subsequently
discharged back through the seawater to another part of the structure. At the point of discharge localized corrosion can result. In order for
this to occur the affected structure must be within the field gradient of the anode. It must also be electrically isolated, or connected through a
high-resistance path to the main cathodically protected structure. For example, on pipelines associated with fixed platforms; the location of
impressed current anodes protecting the structure must be such that the isolated pipelines do not lie within the close field of the anodes,
otherwise there is a risk of current jumping from the pipeline riser to clamps attached to the structure. On an FPSO, this risk may exist on
mooring components close to the hull, or on mechanical couplings associated with the risers within the turret structure. Modeling of
anticipated voltage gradients at maximum rated anode output will facilitate the prediction of potential problems.




   - If the vessel is a newly built FPSO, then a life-cycle economic comparison will almost certainly favor the use of galvanic
anodes over impressed current cathodic protection (Fig. 7 below). The main reasons for this are:

1. The designer's ability to confidently craft the sacrificial system for 20 year + life.

2. The fact that on a sacrificial system, no maintenance is required.

3. Sacrificial anodes are highly reliable.

4. No modifications are required on the hull interior, and no hull penetrations must be made installing the system.

5. There is no risk of interference.

6. A sacrificial system is compatible with the other cathodic protection systems on the subsea equipment.

7.The life-cycle cost of sacrificial anodes is considerably less than the ICCP option (includes maintenance).

The sacrificial anodes selected are normally platform-sized anodes, weighing 350 - 500 lb. (160 - 230 kg), modified for flush-mounting.
Aluminum alloys are preferred, at they are more efficient and lighter weight.

Figure 7. Sacrificial Anodes on the Hull

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  - With approximately 70 FPSO's currently in operation or under construction worldwide, there are inevitably some vessels
that require cathodic protection retrofits. One such FSU vessel operating offshore in West Africa is being studied for application of a new type
of impressed current retrofit system. The original sacrificial anodes are virtually depleted, and offshore replacement of the depleted system
would be cost prohibitive due to the extended amount of diving activity required. Economic studies of various types of retrofit system have
shown the remote buoyant anode system to be the most favorable. The replacement anode sleds sit on the seabed and feed cables are
deployed in a "Lazy S" configuration to the surface. The FSU in question is spread moored and is thus particularly suited to this strategy. The
advantages of this system are:

1. Anodes (2) are at a remote location, and thus current distribution can be expected to be very uniform over all the protected areas of the
vessel and its appurtenances.

2. There is no risk of stray current interference with remote anodes and no local high voltage gradients.

3. Installation can be accomplished in one or two days, using only ROV support.

4. Only two such sleds (400 Amperes output each) are required. Installation is planned for 2003. A typical buoyant sled of the type to be used
is shown Fig. 8 (below).

Figure 8. Buoyant Anode Sled (400 Ampere) Shown With Cable Dispensing Hopper
(Deepwater's RetroBuoy System shown)

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  - For any vessel whether new-build or conversion, the recommendation would have to be for a sacrificial anode
system if the expected on station life is greater than 10 years. This recommendation will be supported by both economic and reliability
studies. For depleted systems requiring offshore retrofit the recommendation will usually be to deploy impressed current, if the system is
allowed to "weather vane" 360 degrees around a turret, a deep suspended system would almost certainly be the most cost effective. If full
360-degree rotation is limited, or the vessel has a spread mooring, then the seabed-deployed system will usually be the best option. We can
see little if any justification for keeping a close fitted impressed current system on what is essentially a floating production system.

c)

On an FPSO, tanks can be employed in a variety of different services including, seawater ballast, void, produced water storage and wet and
dry oil storage. As with other parts of the CP system, the main issue facing a designer is the longer life requirement, and also the difficulty of
entering the tanks for inspection and maintenance while the vessel is in operation. The use of dehumidification systems is becoming more
popular for protecting void tanks, but for the remainder, coatings and cathodic protection are the norm.



!!  * - Our company was recently engaged in the offshore retrofit of an FPSO tank that was in produced water
service; temperatures were around 160ºF (70ºC). The tank coating system was badly degraded and the anodes in the tank were heavily
depleted. There was some concern about using aluminum anodes in certain areas of tank due to the risk of sparking if the anodes were to
fall off; zinc anodes were preferred. But in this particular case the only choice was aluminum, because the zinc anodes would have probably
passivated in these tank fluids. Indeed the aluminum anodes had to be carefully alloyed (Table. 1 below) to optimize their galvanic capacity,
as they tend to fall off rapidly with increased service temperature above about 140ºF (60ºC). The anodes were deployed on rack type
structures (Fig. 9 below) that were assembled inside the tank and attached with mechanical connections; this was necessary because of the
limited access and the inability to perform hot work with the vessel in service. In addition two permanent reference electrodes were installed
to aid in monitoring the system.

Table 1. Albanian Chemical Composition Modification for Produced Water Service

Figure 9. Retrofit Anode Racks Inside a FPSO Produced Water Tank

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!  - Whenever a retrofit is planned inside a tank with a degraded coating, it is important to consider the rate of hydrogen build-up in the
tank from the corroding anodes. This is particularly risky for tanks that have a small ratio of void space to filled space, tanks that are often
filled and emptied, and tanks with limited or restricted venting. Before embarking on such a project, calculate the volume of hydrogen that will
be discharged during the worst case scenario (i.e. when tank is being quickly refilled after having been empty). If the potential hydrogen
concentration approaches the lower explosive limit, then the use of soft coatings should reconsidered. This will reduce current demand and
hence the volume of hydrogen produced. This was not a problem on the aforementioned tanks, which never exceeded 75% of fill.
ã 
 - Permanent reference electrodes are always almost recommended in a cathodic protection system of this type. In ballast tanks,
the most reliable electrode is a zinc sw. electrode. A low-cost field installed electrode system has been developed for this purpose (read
more about TankGardŒ). Electrodes can be easily routed in the tanks and may be built to length offshore. Routing through a deck
penetration allows the tanks to be monitored with no hatch removal or tank entry required.


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+ 
 - Most mooring systems for FPSO's include an upper chain section that may include some jewelry to control the catenary angle.
This is usually connected to a wire rope taut catenary section that covers the majority of the water column. A further section of chain is often
used to connect the taut catenary to the anchoring device. Fairleads or bending shoes are usually attached to the turret structures to control
the attitude of the mooring lines.

 - The following section identifies some areas where we have been asked to investigate corrosion problems. It also contains
recommendations to ensure that the moorings are not compromised by corrosion damage.


  - The fairleads are designed to allow movement, and they have a number of mixed materials in the bearings and swivels. The
main caution for a CP designer is to ensure that the fairleads are electrically continuous with the structure to which they are attached. If this
is not checked, anodes provided on the cheek plates of the fairleads maybe prematurely consumed, due to current losses to the chain.
Afterward, localized corrosion may result in the bearing areas. If properly grounded with a flexible cable jumper, the turret or hull cathodic
protection system can accommodate current losses to the chains, while maintaining protection for the fairlead components.

 

 - Like the fairleads, the connectors between chains and rope sections have various mixed metals that can result in a
localized galvanic attack (often on chain links adjacent to the connector plates). It is therefore important to ensure that an adequate weight of
anode material is attached directly to the connector assembly and that there are no electrically isolated components. Jumper wires should be
used across all mechanical joints. A good rule of thumb is to allow for current drain to approximately 100 feet (30 m) of chain in each
direction.

 - Chains are notoriously difficult to cathodically protect and are therefore normally provided with a corrosion allowance. The biggest
problem is that they drain some current from the cathodic protection systems on other components to which they are attached. It is important
to allow for this drain by providing additional anode weight.

,
(  - The large diameter spiral strand rope commonly used on FPSO's will normally have its own corrosion protection scheme that
may include blocking compounds, sheaths, sacrificial anode strands or galvanic coatings on the strands. It is preferable to use sheathed rope
(instead of non-sheathed) and to use Zn / Al alloyed coatings on the strands rather than just galvanize. Always ensure that there is adequate
anode material and a good quality coating on the wire rope connectors.


!


" "    - From a cathodic protection standpoint, it is wise to think of FPSO's as floating production structures rather than
ships. With this firmly in mind, the cathodic protection system can be designed in much the same way as one would approach a Tension Leg
Platform (TLP) or a SPAR type structure. These structures are somewhat more complex than the average FPSO, but have many of the same
attributes on a larger scale. Unless there are very good reasons why an impressed current system must be used, we recommend sacrificial
anodes as the most reliable and cost-effective long term option.

Note: It is important to ensure that there is electrical continuity through various mechanically connected components, and that all systems are
compatibly designed.

  ( 
 - In the event that a cathodic protection system needs to be replaced offshore, we would recommend consideration of
impressed current deployed remotely from the hull.
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