To achieve an optimal cathodic protection (CP) design for a bare steel structure, a high initial current density is required to give a rapid polarisation and a subsequent formation of a calcareous deposit. The fbrrnation of the calcareous deposit will lead to low maintenance and final current density demand. Today, field experience or field testing at the given location and depth are the only way the CP design current densities can be accurately established. Obviously, for the deepwater installations inadequate or over conservative design can lead to serious economic ramifications. It is therefore important to establish the actual requirements for design of CP systems for deep water well in advance of a field development. The present paper presents the results of testing in the Barents Sea area at depths down to about 500 m. The results show that very high initial current densities are required to give polarisation to a potential more negative than -0.80 V (Ag/AgCl). In these areas adequate CP can be achieved only if high initial current densities are applied...
Keywords: Cathodic protection, calcareous deposits, deep water