Distributed-source transmission line theory is used to model the electrica lresponse of a pipeline to telluriccurrents.This modelling shows that the effect of telluric currents depends on whether the pipeline is longor shortinrelationtoa telluriccurrent adjustment distance determined from the resistance along the pipeline and through the coating to
ground.Observations from an “electrically long” and an “electrically short” pipeline are presented and demonstrate the valid it yof the model calculations. On the “electrically long” pipeline the maximum voltage is independent of pipeline length and inserting an insulating flange just creates an additional site where large potential variations are produced. In contrast, the maximum voltages produced on an “electrically short” pipeline are proportional to pipeline lengths o splitting the pipeline in half with an insulating flangeredces the maximum potentials by half. Keywords: telluric currents, pipeline modelling, distributed-source transmission line theory