The construction of new pipelines within Europe has inevitably meant the increasing use of common corridors for pipelines and overhead power transmission lines. This co-location often results in the occurrence of induced ac voltages and currents on a pipeline and, in some relatively uncommon instances, in pipeline failure. The traditional approach of installing the pipeline and then mitigating any induced ac problems after construction is no longer considered valid, due to the availability of proven, proprietary modeling software. This software, which is able to model the pipeline and power transmission line interaction conditions, and optimize mitigation design, is proving to be of significant benefit in decreasing both the safety hazard and construction costs associated with new pipelines. The software can also be used for existing pipelines. Results of modeling from a recent onshore pipeline project are presented and discussed herein.
Keywords: alternating current, induced ac voltages, pylon, computer modeling