Analysis of voltages induced by distribution lines on gas pipelines

Because of the continuous growth of energy consumption and the tendency to site power lines and pipelines along the same route, the close proximity of power lines and buried metallic pipelines has become more and more frequent. Therefore, there has been and still is a growing concern about possible hazards resulting from the influence of power lines on metallic pipelines. Underground pipelines that run parallel to or in close proximity to power lines are subjected to induced voltages caused by the time-varying magnetic fields produced by the power line currents. The induced electro-motive force causes currents circulation in the pipeline and voltages between the pipeline and surrounding earth. This paper analyses the induced voltage on the gas pipelines buried in parallel with overhead power distribution lines.