This standard provides a general guide for the application of effective cathodic protection (CP) to all types of oil-treating vessels containing a free water phase (the electrolyte). It is intended to be used by facility owners, contractors, inspectors, vessels equipment specialists, CP system designers, manufacturers, and others concerned with corrosion mitigation by using cathodic protection systems. The procedures in this standard may best be applied under the direction of a corrosion engineer and by persons with experience and knowledge of the design, installation, operation, maintenance, and control of corrosion protection in the oil-treating vessels containing the electrolyte.

Coatings and materials are discussed in this document in conjunction with the cathodic protection design, as the coating is a major factor when designing a cathodic protection system.