Management of Corrosion Protection Systems for Subsea Pipelines in the Niger Delta: Operational Challenges and Best Practices

This study examines the management of corrosion protection systems for subsea oil and gas pipelines operating in the Niger Delta, South South Nigeria, focusing on the operational challenges and professional best practices in cathodic protection and external coating maintenance. Subsea pipeline integrity management is a critical operational function for Nigeria's offshore oil production, where failure consequences include hydrocarbon release, environmental damage, and significant financial liability. The study employs a qualitative research design incorporating structured interviews with fifteen pipeline integrity engineers at major operating companies, review of inspection databases, and analysis of corrosion monitoring data from five subsea pipeline systems operated in water depths between 50 and 400 metres. The investigation evaluates the performance of sacrificial anode and impressed current cathodic protection systems, the condition of fusion-bonded epoxy and three-layer polyethylene external coatings, and the challenges of monitoring and maintenance in deepwater environments. Findings reveal that the primary operational challenges include inadequate baseline survey frequency, subsea anode depletion ahead of design service life, and progressive coating disbondment at field joint areas. Management failures attributable to insufficient skilled personnel and budget constraints are documented. The study recommends the adoption of integrated digital pipeline integrity management systems and investment in remote inspection tooling appropriate for deepwater Niger Delta conditions. Keywords: subsea pipeline, corrosion protection, cathodic protection, Niger Delta, pipeline integrity.