Geomagnetically induced potential on pipelines: A probabilistic approach

Abstract

The paper presents a probabilistic approach for the determination of the potential induced along a pipeline route during a geomagnetic storm; particular emphasis is given to intense events such as 100-year and 10-year storms. By assuming that the induced geoelectric field orientation at the ground level and at a given latitude can be treated as a random variable with normal probability distribution, by means of a Monte Carlo algorithm it is possible to build up the empirical probability distribution of the induced potential along the pipeline. The main result is that, in case of an extreme event such as a 100-year storm, even at middle latitudes, potentials of several tens of Volts have a not negligible probability of being induced, at least one time during the pipeline life, along the plant route with possible consequences of damages to apparatuses and equipment connected to the pipeline itself.