Analytical solutions of the potential profile of several pipelines in the same right of way (ROW) are coupled with analytical solutions of cathodic protection (CP) groundbeds and modeled in 3-D. The distance between the pipelines and the groundbed is considered to calculate the final influence of the groundbed potential profile on the pipelines-to-soil potential.
Pipelines with different attenuation characteristics protected by the same cathodic protection systems (CPS) could suffer from stray current between them, even with the rectifiers On.
The need for the installation of bond test stations between the paralleling lines is determined to avoid stray current exchange between pipelines. The distance between bonds can be predicted and determined before connecting the CPS to all the lines.
Field measurements at the multiple pipelines CPS show the presence of corrosion current between pipelines with different attenuation characteristics, as soon as turning off the rectifiers. It seems that the same could happen even with the rectifiers On.
Keywords: Cathodic protection simulation, pipeline attenuation simulation, cathodic protection groundbed simulation, attenuation characteristics, cathodic protection multiple pipeline corridor.