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Real-Time CP Monitoring That Replaces Routine Site Visits

Cathodic protection remote monitoring is the continuous, automated measurement of CP system performance, with data transmitted from field equipment to a central platform for analysis, reporting and alarm management. Remote monitoring replaces the traditional reliance on periodic manual site visits with always-on visibility of pipe-to-soil potentials, transformer rectifier output and protection status. Corrpro Europe supplies and integrates remote monitoring systems for onshore and marine ICCP installations, with full compatibility with our Hockway™ transformer rectifier range.

Why Remote Monitoring Matters

Most cathodic protection systems are still inspected manually at intervals set by ISO 15589-1 or AMPP SP0169. Between visits, there is no continuous data on whether the system is delivering protection. Three operational problems follow from this:

  • Issues can go undetected for months: A reference electrode that drifts out of range, a transformer rectifier that loses output or a coating failure that increases current demand may not be identified until the next scheduled inspection.
  • Remote and offshore sites incur disproportionate inspection costs: Sending a technician to a remote pipeline section, an offshore platform or a vessel in port consumes time, travel cost and mobilisation effort that compounds across an asset portfolio.
  • Trend data is fragmented across separate reports: Without a continuous record, identifying gradual changes in protection performance becomes difficult, and audits against ISO 15589 acceptance criteria rely on snapshot measurements.

Remote monitoring addresses all three by collecting data continuously, transmitting it automatically and presenting it through a central platform that operators can access on demand.

How CP Remote Monitoring Works

A typical CP remote monitoring installation consists of:

Field Measurement Points

Reference electrodes (copper/copper sulphate, silver/silver chloride, zinc) measure pipe-to-soil or structure-to-electrolyte potential at representative locations. Test stations capture multiple measurement points along a pipeline route.

Data Loggers

Field-installed loggers record measurement values at programmed intervals, between 1 second to 1 hour. Loggers are typically powered by mains supply (where available), solar with battery backup or long-life battery, depending on location.

Transformer Rectifier Monitoring

Output voltage, output current, AC input status and alarm conditions are recorded directly from the Hockway™ TR or an equivalent unit. The Hockway™ Remote Monitoring and Control System (RMCS) allows two-way communication, including remote setpoint adjustment.

Communication

Data is transmitted is typically through fibre cable but we can also offer models via cellular (4G/5G), satellite (for remote routes), depending on site infrastructure and operator requirements.

Central Platform

A remote dashboard provides real-time visualisation, historical trend data, alarm management and report generation. Compliance reports against ISO 15589-1 acceptance criteria are produced automatically.

Key Capabilities

Corrpro Europe remote monitoring and control systems provide:

  • Real-time pipe-to-soil or structure-to-electrolyte potential measurement
  • Continuous transformer rectifier output monitoring (current, voltage, AC input) and control
  • Configurable alarm thresholds for under-protection and over-protection
  • Historical data archiving with trend analysis
  • Automated reporting against ISO 15589-1 acceptance criteria
  • Integration with Hockway™ TR units via the RMCS
  • Remote TR setpoint adjustment (where supported by the unit)
  • Secure user access with role-based permissions
  • API integration with operator integrity management systems
  • AC interference monitoring for sites with HVAC line crossings including high accuracy corrosion speed measurement with ER probes, and AC and DC current density measurements. 

The system architecture is designed for scalability, from a single tank farm to a multi-asset pipeline network spanning multiple countries.

Applications

Cathodic protection remote monitoring and control is specified across:

  • Onshore oil, gas, water and chemical pipelines
  • Cross-country pipelines with limited road access
  • Above-ground storage tank farms
  • Refineries and process facilities
  • Offshore platforms and FPSOs
  • Marine ICCP installations on vessels and FPSOs
  • Wind farms, Solar Farms and renewables installations

Remote monitoring is particularly valuable where assets are remote, where AC interference risk is elevated (HVAC overhead line crossings, solar farm proximity), or where regulatory inspection requirements demand a continuous data trail.

Standards Compliance

Corrpro Europe remote monitoring installations support compliance with:

  • ISO 15589-1 (cathodic protection of onshore pipelines, inspection and monitoring)
  • ISO 15589-2 (cathodic protection of submarine pipelines)
  • AMPP SP0169 (control of external corrosion on underground or submerged piping)
  • EN 13509 (cathodic protection measurement techniques)
  • BS EN 50162 (stray current corrosion)

Automated reporting against ISO 15589-1 inspection requirements removes the manual data compilation effort and provides a defensible audit trail for integrity reviews.

Operational Benefits

Operators that adopt CP remote monitoring typically report:

  • Earlier detection of CP system drift, with intervention times measured in days rather than months
  • Significant reduction in routine site visit costs, particularly for remote or offshore sites
  • A continuous data archive that supports integrity management decisions and audit responses
  • Improved confidence in CP system performance across the asset life cycle
  • Better support for risk-based inspection programmes, where data density allows confident intervals between physical inspections
  • Faster response to AC interference events, which can develop quickly when new HVAC lines or solar farms are commissioned near existing pipelines
  • Option to measure corrosion rate using high-resolution ER probes, which is required to select the operation outputs.

For operators managing distributed pipeline networks or large tank farms, the operational case for remote monitoring is typically established within the first year of operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cathodic protection remote monitoring and control?

Cathodic protection remote monitoring is the continuous, automated measurement and control of CP performance, with data transmitted from field equipment to a central platform. It captures pipe-to-soil potential, transformer rectifier output and alarm status without requiring a site visit.

How often does a CP system need to be monitored under ISO 15589?

ISO 15589-1 sets out minimum monitoring intervals depending on the asset class and protection method. For most onshore pipelines, annual surveys and more frequent test point measurements are required. Remote monitoring does not replace the need for periodic detailed surveys, but it provides continuous data between surveys and supports compliant reporting.

Can remote monitoring and control be retrofitted to existing transformer rectifiers?

Yes. Most modern transformer rectifiers, including older Hockway™ units, can be retrofitted with the Remote Monitoring and Control System (RMCS) or a comparable third-party module. Standalone data loggers can also be added to monitor reference electrode potential without modifying the TR.

What data does CP remote monitoring capture?

Standard data points include pipe-to-soil potential (on and off measurements), transformer rectifier output voltage and current, AC input status, AC interference voltage (where applicable) and alarm conditions. Capture intervals are typically configurable between 1 minute and 24 hours. We can also monitor AC / DC current density and corrosion rates using ER probes.

Does Corrpro provide remote monitoring for marine ICCP?

Yes. Marine ICCP systems on FPSOs and other offshore structures can be monitored remotely using the same architecture as onshore installations, with fibre optic cable and through the internet. The Hockway™ RMCS is widely deployed on marine ICCP installations.

Speak to an Engineer about Remote Monitoring

To discuss adding remote monitoring to an existing cathodic protection system or specifying remote monitoring as part of a new ICCP installation, contact the Corrpro Europe engineering team. Our specialists are AMPP and ICorr certified and have integrated remote monitoring across pipelines, tank farms, offshore platforms and marine vessels.

Existing Hockway™ transformer rectifiers can be retrofitted with the RMCS in most cases. New installations are supplied with monitoring as a fully integrated option.

Speak To An Engineer

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