SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR UTILIZATION OF BRACELET GALVANIC ANODES TO PROTECT SUBTERRANEAN WELL CASING SECTIONS SHIELDED BY CEMENT AT A CELLAR AREA

摘要

A cathodic protection system is provided for a subterranean well casing having an enclosed upper section of the well casing being substantially shielded by a cellar from an impressed- current cathodic protection circuit passing through earth media. The impressed-current cathodic protection circuit is provided to protect an unenclosed lower section of the well casing. To protect the enclosed upper section of the well casing, a supplemental cathodic protection circuit is provided. The supplemental cathodic protection circuit is a galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit comprising the enclosed upper section of the well casing and one or more bracelet galvanic anodes being circumferentially mounted to the enclosed upper section. The enclosed upper section of the well casing and the one or more bracelet galvanic anodes are substantially surrounded by a cellar backfill, and the galvanic anode cathodic protection circuit is equally effective throughout a broad range of non-homogeneity within the cellar backfill.