Abstract
Computer modelling is a common approach used to understand personnel safety and pipeline integrity risks impacting pipelines near high voltage AC power lines. A modelling approach often relies on the timely availability of accurate power line data from electric utilities to incorporate into simulation software. Long lead times for power line information requests, however, can often leave operators with assets in a prolonged high-risk state. This paper presents an AC mitigation case study wherein generic; shovel-ready AC mitigation grounding and corrosion monitoring systems were applied across a large pipeline system in Alberta, Canada. These systems were installed wherever AC pipe-to-soil potentials were encountered above a set threshold. A computer model was later developed to look for possible performance gaps and identify areas for mitigation supplementation. The case study demonstrates that a correctly deployed direct-to-install approach can be highly effective at reducing steady-state interference risks but can leave gaps due to the limitations of what can be measured in a field setting. Computer modelling is shown to be an effective means of bridging these gaps to ensure that all personnel safety and pipeline integrity risks are mitigated.
