Rethinking NACE TM-0102: an Explanation of the PRCI Battelle Method and Its Advantages in Assessing Actual Coating Conductance

Abstract In recent decades, the utilization of trenchless methods, such as horizontal directional drilling, has significantly increased for the installation of pipe sections in challenging and environmentally sensitive areas. Trenchless installation presents numerous advantages compared to the traditional open cut method. However, it may lead to coating damage as the pipe is pulled through a borehole, thereby increasing the risk of pipeline failure. To evaluate the quality of the protective coating on underground pipelines, the NACE TM-0102, Measurement of Protective Coating Electrical Conductance on Underground Pipelines, provides a widely accepted method. This method assesses the coating conductance of an installed pipeline and correlates it with the percentage of bare area. Nevertheless, the standard method described in TM-0102 has received criticism for producing unrealistic results in certain conditions. Industry researchers have demonstrated a few improvements, and an alternative calculation method known as the Battelle method, which can provide significant improvement to the NACE TM-0102. In this paper, we provide an overview of some of the recent findings and outline some insights from these findings. It seems that consideration should be given to re-thinking "coating conductance" in order to better evaluate the coating condition on HDD pipelines.