Pipelines networks around the world play a huge role in the infrastructural development of any nation. Being the backbone of the oil and gas industry, pipeline structures need to be monitored and maintained regularly to ensure its safety and security. Pipeline leak detection systems play a huge role in ensuring the same.
Significance of Pipeline Leak Detection
Pipeline leak detection is an essential part of the maintenance of pipelines in the short and long term. There are many factors that may contribute to leaks in pipeline systems, both visible and invisible, such as corrosion, natural wear and tear, damage, etc. A leakage, minor or major, can have severe repercussions in the form of loss of precious resources, finance as well as threat to safety of the environment. This calls for the need to have a well functioning oil and gas pipeline leak detection system in place to proactively identify and repair leaks in time.
Pipeline leak detection encompasses all those processes involved in identifying leaks, zone mapping the area of the leak, pinpointing the location of the leak, taking measures to rectify the leak and continuous monitoring and maintenance of the pipeline going forward.
Pipeline Leak Detection System in Oil & Gas Industries
Pipeline leak detection has become a major prerequisite for the oil and gas industry when laying extensive pipeline networks. Incidences of leaks are an unwelcome sight for anyone, considering the harmful effects it has on people, the environment and organizations. The effect it has on the environment and the earth need no further explanation. Likewise, even a minor incident can send large oil and gas corporations on a downward spiral with class action suits and financial losses. This reinforces the need to have a solid and secure oil and gas pipeline leak detection system in place for the oil and gas industry.
With the growth of the oil and gas industry, governments around the world have stressed the need for safety and prevention of leaks and have implemented various strict compliances in place. This has also resulted in a proportionate growth in the pipeline leak detection industry as well.
Methods used to find Pipeline Leak Detection
There are various methods we resort to for pipeline leak detection services in the oil and gas industry. We enumerate a few of our pipeline leak detection services for oil pipeline leak detection and gas pipeline leak detection below:
Gas Sampling Method
Under the gas sampling method, a flame ionization sensor is installed on a vehicle-mounted probe to catch the presence of methane or ethane. This method is highly recommended for detecting even the tiniest of gas leakages. This method is especially useful and infallible and is one of the most preferred approaches for detecting gas leakage in very low gas concentrations.
RTTM
Real Time Transient Model or RTTM refers to a method of leak detection where mathematical models of flow within a pipeline are recreated in a simulated and controlled environment to determine mass flow, temperature, density at any point in the pipeline in real time. RTTM helps detect leaks in steady state as well as transient states with the help of formulas in real time; which is why it is extremely useful and extensively applied in the oil and gas industry.
Fibre Optic Leak Detection
Under the fibre optic leak detection system, leaks are detected from the outside of the pipeline with the help of lasers and fibre optic cables. A fibre optic cable is inserted in the pipeline to map the temperature profile and detect changes if any. The laser emits a pulse which will be reflected by the fibre optic cable which can be used to establish the temperature profile inside the pipeline. A change in temperature would indicate the occurrence of a leak and pinpoint the leak site as well. The fibre optic method can be applied for both oil pipeline leak detection and gas pipeline leak detection system.
Infrared Radio System
Under the infrared radio system, subsurface pipeline leaks, erosion voids, deteriorating pipeline insulation and poor backfills can be detected and rectified with ease. In this method, infrared surveillance cameras are used to detect infrared wavelengths in the case of gas leaks with the help of a particular filter. Leaks can be determined as a smoke image on video by absorbing infrared radiation. In the case of liquid leaks, this method can be used to identify temperature patterns in the pipeline thereby identifying the leak on time.
Acoustic Monitoring Method
Acoustic monitoring method makes use of the changes in background noise patterns with the help of acoustic sensors placed outside the pipeline. The acoustic sensors can either be fixed on to the pipeline or be linked to the pipe wall with the help of steel rods. When the noise profile deviates from the baseline, the acoustic sensors are triggered and the leak can be detected with ease.
Aesthetix Pipeline Leak detection Services
At Aesthetix, we are committed to sticking to the highest standards of safety and quality in all the services that we provide. We provide only the best when it comes to oil pipeline leak detection and gas pipeline leak detection. We provide tailored solutions for your organization for combating pipeline leak detection in the most cost-effective manner. We have been at the forefront of providing oil and gas pipeline leak detection system that cater to every type of company irrespective of size, industry and sector.
Your search for the most safe, secure, reliable and efficient pipeline leak detection services ends here with us. Contact us to avail the most foolproof pipeline leak detection solutions.