Optimizing AC Fault Mitigation at Pipeline Facilities by Applying Probabilistic Risk Assessment (C2026-00102)

Hycem Bahgat, Daniel Fujinaga, Aiden Svitich, Dylan Bolch

In shared corridors where pipelines neighbour high-voltage AC transmission lines, AC interference studies are essential to ensure public and personnel safety and protect pipeline integrity. A detailed study was conducted for a pipeline system in Canada involving more than 30 km of co-located pipelines and overhead transmission lines. The modeling predicted elevated touch voltages under both steady-state and fault conditions, as well as the risk for AC-induced corrosion under steady-state conditions. Based on this analysis, mitigation was recommended at many sites, including grounding systems, decouplers, dead-front test stations, and monitoring.
To assess opportunities for optimization, a focused risk-based assessment was completed at two representative above-grade stations. This Phase 1 evaluation used probabilistic methods to estimate the likelihood of personnel being present during a fault event and the associated risk of electric shock. The approach incorporated site-specific visitation data, powerline fault statistics, and modeled voltage profiles to compare quantified  against established individual risk thresholds.
This paper presents the outcomes of the broader prescriptive assessment alongside the targeted risk-based evaluation. The comparison illustrates how site-specific fault risk quantification can enhance decision-making, optimize mitigation strategies, and enable more efficient resource allocation, while maintaining safety and reliability in AC interference management.