Leak Detection and Operations Management in Offshore Pipelines

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Adrian Kane
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Offshore Pipelines ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Volume Balance ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Oil And Natural Gas ◽  
Measured Flow ◽  
Transient Models

This paper will demonstrate that with limited instruments at the terminals and platforms only, it is feasible to monitor the integrity of offshore pipelines effectively. Some examples of applications will be shown, including both crude oil and natural gas pipelines. The statistical volume balance technology based on flow and pressure measurements at the inlets and outlets only provides the detection and location of leaks. The paper describes the performance of these leak detection systems for incidents ranging from small leaks to pipeline rupture. To help operators run pipelines safely and cost effectively, real-time transient models are used to calculate the flow, pressure, temperature, density and other fluid properties along the pipeline. Instead of using measured flow and pressure, the operators rely on these calculated values to take operational decisions. The combination of hydraulic modelling and statistical leak detection provides the operators with the information and confidence in the integrity of their pipelines. In the event of any incident the operators can take actions quickly and correctly to minimize the consequences.

Pipeline Diagnostics With Ultrasonic Meters

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Gailey ◽  
Noman Rasool
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Measurement Errors ◽  
Flow Measurement ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Critical System ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Transient Models

Canada and the United States have vast energy resources, supported by thousands of kilometers (miles) of pipeline infrastructure built and maintained each year. Whether the pipeline runs through remote territory or passing through local city centers, keeping commodities flowing safely is a critical part of day-to-day operation for any pipeline. Real-time leak detection systems have become a critical system that companies require in order to provide safe operations, protection of the environment and compliance with regulations. The function of a leak detection system is the ability to identify and confirm a leak event in a timely and precise manner. Flow measurement devices are a critical input into many leak detection systems and in order to ensure flow measurement accuracy, custody transfer grade liquid ultrasonic meters (as defined in API MPMS chapter 5.8) can be utilized to provide superior accuracy, performance and diagnostics. This paper presents a sample of real-time data collected from a field install base of over 245 custody transfer grade liquid ultrasonic meters currently being utilized in pipeline leak detection applications. The data helps to identify upstream instrumentation anomalies and illustrate the abilities of the utilization of diagnostics within the liquid ultrasonic meters to further improve current leak detection real time transient models (RTTM) and pipeline operational procedures. The paper discusses considerations addressed while evaluating data and understanding the importance of accuracy within the metering equipment utilized. It also elaborates on significant benefits associated with the utilization of the ultrasonic meter’s capabilities and the importance of diagnosing other pipeline issues and uncertainties outside of measurement errors.

scholarly journals Leak Detection Systems for Short Pipelines

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan Martins Baptista
Keyword(s):  
Detection System ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Low Complexity ◽  
Transient Model ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Volume Balance ◽  
Pipeline Networks ◽  
Phase Liquid ◽  
Flow Detection

This paper describes procedures developed by PETROBRAS Research & Development Center to assess a software-based leak detection system (LDS) for short pipelines. These so-called “Low Complexity Pipelines” are short pipeline segments with single-phase liquid flow. Detection solutions offered by service companies are frequently designed for large pipeline networks, with batches and multiple injections and deliveries. Such solutions are sometimes impractical for short pipelines, due to high cost, long tuning procedures, complex instrumentation and substantial computing requirements. The approach outlined here is a corporate approach that optimizes a LDS for shorter lines. The two most popular implemented techniques are the Compensated Volume Balance (CVB), and the Real Time Transient Model (RTTM). The first approach is less accurate, reliable and robust when compared to the second. However, it can be cheaper, simpler, faster to install and very effective, being marginally behind the second one, and very cost-efective. This paper describes a procedure to determine whether one can use a CVB in a short pipeline.

A New Focus With Leak Detection for US Pipelines

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Merritt ◽  
Patricia Jasion ◽  
Max Kieba
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transportation Safety ◽  
Research Information ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Natural Gas Pipeline ◽  
The U.S

The United States (U.S.) Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is exploring methods for increasing usage and improving leak detection systems in both hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines. This is a critical focus for PHMSA in the wake of several recent pipeline incidents where more effective and redundant leak detection systems may have lessened the experienced consequences. The U.S. Congress and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have recommended deploying more leak detection systems into the U.S. pipeline infrastructure to address increasing public safety and environment impact concerns. PHMSA has taken a number of actions to work toward this goal including increased operator guidance, fostering technology research, information gathering, and reports on state of the art technologies. This paper discusses PHMSA’s actions regarding leak detection systems and the progress in advancing the dialogue amongst hazardous liquids and natural gas pipeline operators, other regulators, and the public, so that considerations in deploying systems on vintage and new construction pipelines can be identified.

A Note About the Sensitivity Curve of Compensated Volume Balance Leak Detection Systems

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Bastos de Freitas Rachid ◽  
Jose´ Henrique Carneiro de Araujo ◽  
Renan Martins Baptista
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Lower Bounds ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Rate Measurement ◽  
Sensitivity Curve ◽  
Flow Rate Measurement ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Volume Balance ◽  
System Uncertainties

This work presents a simple theoretical development which aims to derive the sensitivity curve of compensated volume balance leak detection systems. The analysis carried out is not limited to steady state and also automatically provides the bounds with which the sensitivity curve is predicted, as a function of the system uncertainties. It is demonstrated that the performance of leak detection systems of this nature depends upon the operation of the pipeline at the time instants of the leak onset and of leak detection. As a result, it is also shown that there are an upper and a lower bounds of the minimum response time and that the minimum detectable leak is independent of the pipeline operational regime, being equal to the overall flow rate measurement uncertainty.

A Combined Leak Detection Method Using Pattern Recognition Techniques

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Geiger ◽  
Daniel Vogt
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Detection Method ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Excellent Performance ◽  
Transient Model ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pattern Recognition Techniques ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Volume Balance ◽  
Public Environment

Due to the vast mileage of pipelines throughout the world, it is important that dependable leak detection systems (LDSs) are used to promptly identify when a leak has occurred so that appropriate response actions are initiated quickly. The swiftness of these actions can help reduce the consequences of accidents or incidents to the public, environment, and property. Internal systems [4] such as volume balance, mass balance or real-time transient model (RTTM) based methods are used successfully for that purpose. RTTM based methods offer excellent performance but more field sensors are needed than for simpler methods such as volume balancing, and therefore these methods are less robust because of their greater dependence on sensors which could fail. This paper describes a new leak detection methodology which uses pattern recognition techniques to combine two or more internal methods seamlessly into one scheme hence improving performance, robustness and applicability.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF WATER LEAK DETECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODOLOGIES

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2063-2074
Author(s):  
Pedro Rosas Quiterio ◽  
Florencio Sanchez Silva ◽  
Ignacio Carvajal Mariscal ◽  
Jesus Alberto Meda Campana
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Detection Systems ◽  
Water Leak

Leak detection systems

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Leak Detection ◽  
Detection Systems

Leak detection systems

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Leak Detection ◽  
Detection Systems

Leak detection systems

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Leak Detection ◽  
Detection Systems

Leak detection systems

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Leak Detection ◽  
Detection Systems
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