Eliminating Pipeline Integrity Data Silos with Phase 2 of the EC Module

CIM version 3.45 introduces Phase 2 of the External Corrosion (EC) Module, delivering comprehensive data integration capabilities that consolidate cathodic protection (CP) annual survey data with existing inline inspection (ILI) and Close Interval Survey (CIS) datasets within the Asset Integrity for Pipelines (AIP, formerly CIM) platform.

The Data Integration Challenge

Pipeline operators typically manage CP annual survey data across fragmented systems, hardware-specific software, disconnected spreadsheets, and static PDF reports. This architectural fragmentation creates several critical integration bottlenecks:

• Spatial Data Misalignment: CP survey points lack consistent georeferencing with ILI anomaly locations and GIS pipeline centerlines, preventing accurate correlation analysis across datasets.
• API Incompatibility: Disparate data sources lack standardized interfaces for automated ingestion and cross-platform analysis workflows.
• Schema Inconsistency: Varying data formats and field definitions across vendors prevent unified analytics and reporting.
• Metadata Loss: Critical contextual data (depth of cover, soil conditions, historical trends) becomes isolated in separate systems, limiting comprehensive integrity assessments.

Phase 2 addresses these integration challenges by implementing a unified data architecture that normalizes, spatially aligns, and correlates multi-source pipeline integrity datasets.

What's New in Phase 2?

Automated Data Normalization

• Native File Processing: In addition to template-based ingestion, direct ingestion of hardware-specific raw data files for CP Annual Surveys (.dat and .psx) is also available. 
• Real-Time Validation: Schema validation and data quality checks during the upload process

Spatial Data Alignment Engine for CP Annual Surveys

 Upon ingestion, the system executes automated spatial correlation.

• Data is automatically aligned to ILI data using GPS coordinates to the pipeline centerline, either from GIS or ILI sources
• Optional metadata that is brought in through GIS integrations (depth of cover, elevation, comments, etc.) is retained for richer context

Test Station Management 

A record for each test station is automatically created during the survey upload, including name, location, and status. Test stations can also be created and edited within System Management. Test station data is updated when new reports are uploaded.

Multi-Dataset Correlation Capabilities

The unified platform enables engineers to perform integrated analysis across previously siloed datasets:

• ILI + CP/CIS Correlation: Spatial overlay of metal loss anomalies with CP readings
• GIS + CP/CIS Correlation: Pipeline information integration for comprehensive risk assessment

This data integration eliminates the need for manual correlation across multiple software platforms, reducing analysis time from days to hours.

Analysis Conditions for CP Annual Surveys

Phase 2 introduces CP-specific conditions that support standard compliance thresholds, including:

• Off Potential Criteria: Configurable voltage thresholds (default: > 0.850V)
• Native Potential Analysis: Depolarization assessments (default: Off - Native < 100mV)
• AC Interference Detection: AC potential monitoring (default: > 5V)
• Shorted Casing Identification: Differential voltage analysis (default: < 100mV)

These conditions can be customized to match operator-specific requirements, and test station results are displayed for easier review, prioritization, and mitigation. Engineers can implement operator-specific conditions using the platform's condition builder, enabling multi-parameter conditional logic.

Actionable Reporting & Workflow Integration

Analyzed results are summarized into concise reports, which:

• Highlight all test stations that meet selected conditions
• Support batch export for use in Maximo, SAP, or internal work order systems
• Include native workflow controls for action assignment, due date tracking, and status management

This ensures traceability from survey upload to final mitigation closure, eliminating the need for third-party tracking spreadsheets or relying on tribal knowledge.

Audit-Ready Documentation

All assessments, analyses, and mitigations are version-controlled and time-stamped within the CIM platform, enabling a fast, reliable response to audits and internal QA/QC processes.

Developed for Operators, Built with Flexibility

As with Phase 1, the design of Phase 2 was informed by dozens of interviews with corrosion engineers, integrity managers, and field technicians. Our development team focused on delivering a solution that:

• Mirrors how assessments are actually performed and reviewed in the field
• Prioritizes clarity and transparency in compliance analysis
• Offers robust configurability to meet operator-specific program needs

Operators can now view CP data side by side with ILI, CIS, and GIS data, without leaving AIP. 

What’s Next: Phase 3

The next planned phase will introduce support for DCVG and ACVG survey types, including built-in analysis conditions and visual overlays to support anomaly correlation and mitigation planning.

We’re also exploring advanced condition modeling that integrates depth of cover, soil resistivity, and historical survey trends to provide deeper insight into CP effectiveness.

Enable Phase 2 in Your Environment

If you’re a current AIP customer, enabling the EC module is as simple as contacting your account manager. We’re offering an Early Adopter Program for existing AIP clients to take advantage of Phase 2, making this the perfect opportunity to evaluate how centralized CP survey analysis can improve your corrosion control workflows.

Questions? Want to see the EC Module in action? Contact our team today to schedule a demo or to activate your trial.