Observation research on the effect of UHVDC grounding current on buried pipelines

Abstract

In order to research the electromagnetic interference in buried oil and gas pipelines generated by the grounding current of a grounding electrode of Ultra High Voltage Direct Current (UHVDC) system, observation experiments of stray current and pipe-to-soil potential (PSP) in the pipeline were carried out. Monitoring devices were installed at two sites of the Dong-Huang oil pipeline before the commissioning of the Zalute–Qingzhou and Shanghaimiao–Shandong ±800 kV UHVDC projects. Monitoring data on the stray current and PSP of the two monitoring sites were obtained when the two UHVDC projects were operated in monopolar mode on 24 December 2017 and 2 January 2019 and the grounding current reached 6250 A. The amplitude characteristics of the stray current and PSP at different distances from the grounding electrode and the effects of the magnitude of the stray current and PSP on the cathodic protection system are analyzed herein. The results show that the effects of the grounding current on pipeline corrosion are not only closely related to the distance between the grounding electrode and the pipeline but are also related to the running state of the potentiostats of pipelines and the distance between insulation flanges. Optimizing the performance of potentiostats and the distribution of insulation flanges can reduce the effects of UHVDC grounding current on pipeline corrosion.