Reliability of Pressure Signals in Offshore Pipeline Leak Detection
Detecting Pipeline Leaks – What’s the Right...
Transcript of Detecting Pipeline Leaks – What’s the Right...
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Detecting Pipeline Leaks – What’s the Right Approach? October 20, 2016 | Pipeline Safety Trust Conference
New Orleans, LA
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Leak Detection § Best Defense is Preventing Leaks
from Occurring in First Place – Proactive pipeline integrity and damage
prevention programs
§ Leak Detection – Focuses on how to detect promptly to
minimize size and consequence – One approach does not fit all – Various pipeline systems and operating
conditions call for different approaches
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Detecting Leaks – One approach does not fit all § Ruptures – quicker detection
– Pressure & Flow deviation alarms – Computational pipeline monitoring (CPM)
§ Seepers – slower detection – Visual surveillance – air and ground – Facility gas monitoring & thermal imaging – Line balancing & tightness tests
§ Everything In-Between – Computational pipeline monitoring (CPM) – Pressure wave & statistical patterns – Fiber optic cable technology research through
PRCI using acoustic & thermal sensing
Complicating Factors – Compressibility of various fuels – Elevation differences & changing pressure patterns – Pipeline size and operating pressure
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Typical Liquid Pipeline Leak Detection Using CPM in Flowing Conditions
Typical CPM Performance Typical RTTM Performance Technology + Human Factors
Longer-term leak detection limited by equipment capabilities. More industry work is needed
Short-term leak detection driven by instrument accuracy, type of CPM used, line pressures, and communication speed and reliability
Industry is striving to detect smaller leaks, more quickly, and more reliably
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Effective LD is More than Great Technology
§ Technology Needs Strong Control Center Operations
1. Recognizing abnormal conditions is not always obvious
2. “Think Leak” safety culture
3. Focusing on continuous improvement using risk-based priorities
§ Control Center Operations Need Strong Technology
1. Normal dynamic operating conditions cause pressure/flow changes
2. Slack line conditions due to starts and stops
3. High false alarm rates cause fatigue and distraction
Pipeline Operators need effective LD Program Management – API RP 1175
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API RP 1175 Leak Detection Program Management § Identifies all detection methods, policies, processes, and
human element.
§ December 2015 - Published RP 1175 – Culture & Strategy – Selection of Leak Detection Methods – Performance Targets & Metrics – Procedures, Training, Maintenance – Alarm Management & Testing – Managing Changes
§ 2016 – Formed Implementation Team – Hosting Webinars – Workshop planned at 2017 API Pipeline
Conference – Developing training and assessment tools
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Keys to Success 1. Have a Continuous Improvement Mindset regarding People, Procedures,
& Technology – RP 1173 Safety Management Systems – RP 1175 Leak Detection Program Management
2. Have a “Think Leak” Safety-First Culture – Leadership support – Training and operating discipline
3. Have a collaborative and proactive approach – Industry engagement to share best practices, lessons learned, and
technology research (PRCI)
Shared Mission: Provide reliable energy supply to meet our society’s needs in the safest & environmentally responsible manner possible.