Abstract: An electrical cable for use in oil wells and other hostile environments. The cable includes one or more solid or stranded conductive elements, each of which is covered first by an insulating layer of high-temperature insulation. The insulating layer is covered by a metallic barrier composed of tape or film which may be coated with bonding material. Over the metallic barrier a semiconductive layer is formed, and that in turn may be encased in an armor sheath, the semiconductive layer providing cushioning as well as an electrical connection between the metallic barrier and the armor sheath.