Pipeline Leak Mechanisms

Abstract

Abstract This work investigates the mechanisms that occur when a pipeline leaks. A thorough understanding of the pipeline leak mechanism is the primary building block that must be understood fully prior to selecting technologies for leak detection. With an expectation of the greatest failure risks, the most significant leak mechanism(s) can be deduced and subsequently the strengths and weakness of leak detection technologies ranked against the pipeline operator’s operational philosophy requirements (e.g., is the operator looking for an accurate position of a leak or a probable area of concern) compared with accuracy of detecting a leak and reducing false positives. It is not within the scope of the work to consider methodologies for leak detection.