Evaluation of pipeline corrosion rates due to enhanced telluric activity associated with space weather

Telluric currents are the natural phenomena especially pronounced in the high latitude areas (above 60 degrees). These currents, as any stray current, are able to interfere with pipeline cathodic protection systems, and came into wide consideration with construction of pipelines in northern areas, where the geomagnetic variations are more severe and last for prolonged times.

The paper will explain the approach developed for estimation of pipeline corrosion rates due to telluric activity, and results of its applications.

Statistical evaluation of the occurrence rates for the pipe-to-soil potential difference values based on modelling of the pipeline response to the geomagnetic activity in two different locations (high latitude and mid-latitude) will be combined with the method developed for calculation of corrosion rate (metal loss). The presented approach and results of its application to different types of pipelines located at different latitudes can be used as a practical guidance for the assessments of the space weather impacts on pipeline operations.