For the past twenty years, two inorganic zinc silicate-coating systems have been used by the Ocean Drilling Program to reduce corrosion and extend the life of high strength drill pipe. For environmental reasons, the original water based inorganic zinc ethyl silicate system was discontinued because it contained lead. This paper reviews the performance results of the replacement high ratio potassium zinc silicate system used during the past ten years and explores the economic ramification of operating with coated versus bare drill pipe in an ocean environment.