The effect of sign‐alternating cycling polarisation (SACP) on the localised corrosion of X70pipeline steel in solutions of various compositions was studied. Localised corrosion of steel at anodic potentials was accelerated with an increase in the duration of the cathodic half‐cycle, in the presence of a promoter of hydrogen absorption in aqueous electrolyte, and with an increase in the concentrations of chloride and bicarbonate ions. It was pointed out that the corrosion rate is determined by the amount of hydrogen absorbed by the steel. A quantitative indicator to determine the intensity of localised corrosion under SACP was suggested. © 2020 by the authors.