Resistivity Survey to Assess Corrosion along a Proposed Pipeline Route in the Niger Delta

is marshy or swampy. The Wenner and Schlumberger arrays were adopted for topsoil and subsoil resistivity determinations, respectively. Along the pipeline route 85 profiles and 85 sounding stations were occupied while at the flow station 40 profiles and 40 soundings were carried out in a grid form w. Measurements were taken in both N-S and W-E directions and the averaged values employed for interpretation. The results show that the resistivity of the subsoil along the pipeline route ranges between 2 and 233 Ώm (mean = 48 ± 29 Ώm); its thickness ranges between 1.6 and 17.5m (mean = 6.3 ± 3.0m). The resistivity of the subsoil within the flow station varies between 13 and 165 Ώm (mean = 42 ± 27 Ώm) while the thickness varies from 2.4 – 28.5m (mean = 8.5 ± 4.9m). Very low subsoil resistivities were obtained in areas dominated by mangrove plants, due to the influence of saline water. Any underground metallic piping or structure is liable to corrosion.