A large number of pipelines are routed around or through the Chicago metropolitan region of Illinois.
Pipeline operators are faced with operational and maintenance challenges that include the mitigation of
static and dynamic stray current interference. This interference is generated by D.C. current sources
which can include foreign pipelines and DC electric rail systems. In the Chicago area, the Chicago
Transit Authority (CTA) railway system is one of the sources of dynamic DC stray current that can affect
pipeline operators.
Preliminary testing conducted on a local 90-inch water transmission pipeline was observed to indicate
the presence of dynamic stray current interference. Based on this preliminary testing, more advanced
testing was initiated. Ultimately this activity lead to design services to address and mitigate the DC
stray current found on this water transmission pipeline.
Field testing and analysis, calculations and the final mitigation design are presented in this paper.