The Trans Alaska pipeline — Potential measurements and telluric current

Construction and operation of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) has always required solving problems unique to the arctic environment with corrosion control being no exception. Aurally induced telluric current causes fluctuation of the pipe-to-soil potential measurements which are normally monitored to indicate satisfactory operation of a corrosion control system. This condition can, at times, so obscure these potentials that they are meaningless without correlating data on the telluric activity. A technique has been developed for potential surveys which provides the necessary telluric current correlation. The TAPS protection system and its interaction with telluric current are discussed. A chronology of the technique development is included.