Nigerian Engineer pioneers internal SACP for pipelines, challenging industry norms

Cynthia Ezeh, a Research and Technology Development Leader at the FEDDO Group, is challenging industry norms with a bold question: “If Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection (SACP) works internally for tanks, why not for pipelines?” Her research, presented at the International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology Conference (IPPTC) in 2019 and the Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) in 2020, forms the basis of a new development project aimed at bringing internal SACP protection to pipelines in service.

Traditionally, SACP is used effectively to prevent corrosion in the internal surfaces of storage tanks, where stagnant or low-flow conditions exist. However, its application inside pipelines, which present dynamic flow, scale buildup, and access challenges, has been largely dismissed by the industry.

“We’re rethinking that limitation,” says Cynthia. “We’ve designed a modular internal SACP system tailored to operate within fluid transport pipelines, particularly those with intermittent flow or water-in-oil separation issues.”

In partnership with FEDDO Group’s field team in Australia, Cynthia’s team is now deploying prototype sacrificial anode units within controlled test sections of the pipeline, utilizing corrosion monitoring probes to assess their effectiveness under simulated operating conditions.

Initial data suggests that the system provides measurable corrosion protection in localized regions — a promising development for aging infrastructure in harsh service environments.

“This research has the potential to reduce the frequency of internal corrosion failures without relying solely on costly chemical inhibition,” said Engr. Covenant Oriaku, a Pipeline integrity expert with over 10 years of industry experience at the Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Lagos. “It’s a practical innovation that fits well with local industry needs.”

Cynthia’s work is gaining attention not just for its technical novelty, but for its direct application to West Africa’s infrastructure challenges. It offers a home-grown solution grounded in sound engineering and field experience, and could redefine best practices in pipeline integrity management.

Cynthia’s work not only bridges the gap between academic research and field application but also positions Nigerian engineers at the forefront of corrosion control innovation.

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