Influence of high-voltage power lines on main pipelines: Systematization of problems

Analytical review provides a comprehensive and systematic examination of scientific literature and regulatory documents published over the past five years (2020–2025) addressing the critical issue of electromagnetic interference from overhead power lines on the corrosion reliability of buried main pipelines.
The paper categorizes and analyzes research across several key areas: the fundamental mechanisms of inductive coupling between alternating current sources and pipeline networks; the specific phenomena of alternating current induced corrosion and its distinction from direct current corrosion; the detrimental effects of induced alternating current voltages on the performance and effectiveness of cathodic protection systems; and the advancement of computational modeling techniques and risk assessment methodologies for predicting interference levels and corrosion likelihood. Key achievements in the field of negative impact standardization are identified, including the establishment of threshold alternating current density values for corrosion initiation and methods for its assessment. However, significant unresolved challenges persist, particularly the absence of universal, validated predictive models capable of accurately simulating complex field conditions involving heterogeneous soil structures, dynamic load variations from traction networks and high-voltage power lines, as well as the presence of coating defects and uneven deterioration of insulating coatings. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of combined alternating current and direct current interference over the long term remain insufficiently understood.
Based on the synthesized analysis, priority directions for future research are formulated, emphasizing the necessity for developing intelligent, adaptive protection systems that integrate real-time monitoring of critical parameters, employ probabilistic risk-based approaches for integrity management, and leverage digital twin technologies to enhance the operational safety and corrosion reliability of energy transportation infrastructure.

1. Baeckmann W., Schwenk W. Handbuch des katodischen Korrosionsschutzes. Verlag Chemie. 1980. 465 s. (In Germ.).

2. Sommerfeld A. Über die Ausbreitung der Wellen in der drahtlosen Telegraphie. Annalen der Physik. 1909;333(28):665–736. https://doi.org/10.1002/andp.19093330402. (In Germ.).

3. Carson J. Wave Propagation in Overhead Wires with Ground Return. Bell System Technical Journal. 1926;5(10):539–554.

4. Pollaczek F. Über das Feld einer unendlich langen wechselstrom durchflossenen einfachleitung. Electrische Nachrichten Technik. 1926;3(4):339–359. (In Germ.).

5. Bursian V. R., Fok V. A. Elektromagnitnoye pole peremennogo toka v tsepi s dvumya zazemleniyami. Zhurnal Russkogo Fiziko-Khimicheskogo Obshchestva. 1926;58(2):355–363. (In Russ.).

6. Dawalibi F. P., Southey R. D. Analysis of electrical interference from power lines to gas pipelines. I. Computation methods. IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery. 1989;4(3):1840–1846. https://doi.org/10.1109/61.32680.

7. Dmitriyev V. I. Elektromagnitnyye polya v neodnorodnykh sredakh. Moscow, 1969. 131 p. (In Russ.).

8. Tolstaya M. A., Ioffe E. I., Potemkinskaya I. V. Vliyaniye peremennogo toka promyshlennoy chastoty na elektrokorroziyu stali. Gazovoye Delo. 1963;3. (In Russ.).

9. Tolstaya M. A., Ioffe E. I., Potemkinskaya I. V. Elektrokhimicheskaya korroziya stal’nykh podzemnykh sooruzheniy peremennym tokom promyshlennoy chastity. Gazovoye Delo. 1964;3. (In Russ.).

10. Tolstaya M. A., Ioffe E. I., Potemkinskaya I. V. Vliyaniye solesoderzhaniya, ionnogo sostava, velichiny pH i stepeni aeratsii grunta na korroziyu podzemnykh stal’nykh truboprovodov pod deystviyem peremennogo toka. Transport i Khraneniye Nefti i Nefteproduktov. 1964;1:16–24. (In Russ.).

11. Strizhevskiy I. V., Dmitriyev V. I. Teoriya i raschet vliyaniya elektrifitsirovannoy zheleznoy dorogi na podzemnyye metallicheskiye sooruzheniya. Moscow, 1967. 247 p. (In Russ.).

12. Goidanich S., Lazzari L., Ormellese M. AC corrosion — Part 1: Effects on overpotentials of anodic and cathodic processes. Corrosion Science. 2010;52(2):491–497. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2009.10.005. EDN: NWNDTJ.

13. Xu L. Y., Su X., Cheng Y. F. Effect of alternating current on cathodic protection on pipelines. Corrosion Science. 2013;66:263–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2012.09.028.

14. Krapivsky E. I., Yabluchansky P. A. Algorithm for ac transmission line electromagnetic effect on underground pipework. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin (Scientific and Technical Journal). 2013;2:213–224. EDN: RGRCIJ. (In Russ.).

15. Efarahani E. M., Su Yu., Chen X. [et al.]. AAC corrosion of steel pipeline under cathodic protection: A state-of-the-art review. Materials and Corrosion. 2024;75(3):290–314. https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.202313955. EDN: TXEHUS.

16. Zhou Q., Wang H. Probabilistic Performance Evaluation of Cathodically Protected Pipeline Considering AC Corrosion. Final Report for PHMSA Project no. 900. University of Akron, Rutgers University, 2024.

17. Zhang S., Li Z., Yang C., Gou J. The AC Corrosion Mechanisms and Models: A Review. Corrosion. 2020;76(2):188–201. https://doi.org/10.5006/3362.

18. Rakito O. N., Aginey R. V. Experimental study of dependence of metal corrosion rate on density of alternating sinusoidal current of industrial frequency. Science & Technologies: Oil and Oil Products Pipeline Transportation. 2024;14(3):272–281. https://doi.org/10.28999/2541-9595-2024-14-3-272-281. EDN: HRBFCT. (In Russ.).

19. Zhu W., Xu Ch., Wang Y., Wang X. Studying the factor limitations of AC corrosion on pipelines. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2024;2760(1):012058. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2760/1/012058.

20. Yang J., Zhu M., Le Z., Zhao B. [et al.]. Influence of alternating current on corrosion behavior of X100 steel in Golmud soil simulated solution with different pH. International Journal of Electrochemical Science. 2020;15(10):10423–10431. https://doi.org/10.20964/2020.10.28.

21. Lan W., Wei B., Li Q. [et al.]. Corrosion mechanisms of pipelines with adjacent coating defects under AC interference: An interfacial process analysis. Materials & Design. 2025;256:114295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.114295.

22. Büchler M. On the mechanism of cathodic protection and its implications on criteria including AC and DC interference conditions. Corrosion. 2020;76(5):451–463. https://doi.org/10.5006/3379.

23. Olesen A. J., Dideriksen K., Nielsen L. V., Møller P. Corrosion rate measurement and oxide investigation of AC corrosion at varying AC/DC current densities. Corrosion. 2019;75(9):1026–1033. https://doi.org/10.5006/3168.

24. Chen L., Du Y., Liang Y. [et al.] Research on dynamic alternating current corrosion behavior of X65 pipeline steel under cathodic protection. Corrosion. 2023;79(5):471–485. https://doi.org/10.5006/4240.

25. Laughorn T. Effects of AC interference on pipelines under cathodic protection and cathodic disbondment of pipeline coatings. Honors Research Projects. Williams Honors College, 2024. P. 1866. URL: https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1866. (acsessed: 10.03.2026).

26. Suslov K. V., Kryukov A. V., Ilyushin P. V. [et al.]. Modeling of electromagnetic influences of multi-wire traction networks for pipelines. iPolytech Journal. 2023;27(3):552–564. https://doi.org/10.21285/1814-3520-2023-3-552-564. EDN: PGNVMM. (In Russ.).

27. Bulatov Yu. N., Kryukov A. V., Voronina E. V., Kryukov A. E. Consideration of the influence of pipelines on the electromagnetic fields of traction networks. Systems Methods Technologies. 2025;4(68):41–48. https://doi.org/10.18324/2077-5415-2025-4-41-48. EDN: TNKGPW. (In Russ.).

28. Kryukov A. V., Suslov K. V., Kryukov A. Е. Modeling of electromagnetic influences of traction networks equipped with reactive power compensation means on pipelines. Smart Electrical Engineering. 2024;3(27):65–81. EDN: EWTBSF. (In Russ.).

29. Kryukov A. V., Ilyushin P. V., Suslov K. V., Kryukov A. E. Consideration of Wire Transposition in Modeling the Electromagnetic Effects of Power Lines on Pipelines. Elektrichestvo. 2023;3:22–34. https://doi.org/10.24160/0013-5380-2023-3-22-34. EDN: SFONVO. (In Russ.).

30. Zhang Ya., Li L. Study of alternating current transmission line interference on long-distance pipelines. Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 2025;2993(1):012066. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2993/1/012066.

31. Markić M., Arat S., Fürbeth W. Effect of AC interference on the corrosion behavior of cathodically protected mild steel in an artificial soil solution. Part I: Investigation on formed corrosion product layer. Materials and Corrosion. 2022;73(1):45–54. https://doi.org/10.1002/maco.202112640. EDN: WPIDFA.

32. Kere K., Huang Q. Development of probabilistic failure pressure models for pipelines with single corrosion defect. International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping. 2022;197:104656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpvp.2022.104656.EDN: GHXMVG.

33. Thompson I., Martin P. AC corrosion monitoring on high pressure pipelines. CORROSION 2015. 2015. Paper NACE–2015–5470.

34. Budiman F., Rahmawati D., Aulia D. [et al.]. Integrating IoT-enabled automated impressed current cathodic protection systems with metal potential monitoring: a digital technology approach to address corrosion for promoting environmental ecosystem conservation. Measurement. 2026;258:119167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2025.119167. EDN: KXMNQA.