Worldwide Assessment of Industry Leak Detection Capabilities For Single & Multiphase Pipelines
OBJECTIVE:
Investigate the state-of-the-art in pipeline leak detection technology. The capabilities and advantages/disadvantages of existing technology will be analyzed with special consideration given to the possible application in deepwater and subsea production. Leak detection systems such as SCADA, LEOS, PSL’s Fiber Optics and others will be included in the assessment. A key focus of the study will be to quantify how these methods would function under multiphase flow conditions and what role multiphase metering can play in reducing risks.
APPROACH:
Scope of Work: Subsea leak detection technology and equipment will be investigated using a combination of approaches including
Results of the assessment and recommendations would be included in a final report and would be presented and discussed at workshop at the conclusion of the project.
DEPLOYMENT OF RESULTS:
The assessment of the capabilities of existing technology to detect leaks in deepwater pipelines will define what can be expected from systems utilizing present technology and any imitations and technology gaps. This information will be widely disseminated to regulators, oil & gas operators, equipment suppliers, and researchers through reports, papers, briefings, and workshops. The availability of such information will help promote realistic expectations and regulations, and define any research and equipment development needs.
ANTICIPATED PROJECT DURATION: 1 year
PROJECT PLAN 2001-2002:
Scope of Work:
The scope of work for this one-year project includes
1. Identify current state-of-the-art technology for leak detection (SCADA, LEOS, PSL’s, fiber optics, and others) in pipelines, including conventional pipe-in-pipe, and plastic/high density polyethylene pipelines.2. Assess effectiveness, capabilities, and advantages/disadvantages of current systems.3. Evaluate the effectiveness of current systems in multiphase flow conditions.4. Investigate the effectiveness of PSL’s in detecting leaks in a wellbore-pipeline system.5. Investigate the suitability of current systems for applications in deepwater pipelines and flowlines.6. Investigate the opportunities for multiphase meters to reduce the risk in detecting leaks.7. Evaluate the potential effectiveness of special flow tests and/or equipment to reduce the risks in detecting leaks.8. Formulate assessment of current state-of-the-art technology and identify technology gaps.9. Disseminate results.Anticipated Results:
Anticipated project results include
1. Identification and assessment of current technology in pipeline leak detection.2. Evaluation of the effectiveness of current technology for multiphase flow conditions.3. Evaluation of the effectiveness of current technology for deepwater pipelines.4. Identified limitations of current technology and technology gaps.This information will be widely disseminated to regulators, oil & gas operators, equipment suppliers, and researchers through reports, papers, briefings, and workshops.
SPONSORSHIP: MMS
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (S) & OTHERS INVOLVED IN PROJECT:
PI(s): Dr. Stewart L. Scott and Dr. Maria A. Barrufet (TAMU)
Others: Two graduate students, two undergraduate students
Date: Nov. 15, 2002
Project Name: Worldwide Assessment of Industry Leak Detection Capabilities for Single & Multiphase Pipelines
Project Number: 32558-5888L PE Task Order: 18133
Principal Investigators: Dr. Stuart L. Scott & Dr M A Barrufet
Estimated Completion Date: Dec. 6, 2002
Project Description:Deepwater developments represent a significant departure from conventional production operations. While historically, the number of shallow water releases from pipelines is extremely small, deepwater flowlines operate under conditions rarely encountered in previous development schemes. The remoteness of the deepwater flowline, coupled with a number of complex interactions between the released fluids and deepwater environment makes external detection much more difficult. Internal leak detection is also made difficult by the reduced accuracy or complete lack of multiphase meters at the pipeline inlet. A study was undertaken to investigate the state-of-the-art in pipeline leak detection technology. This includes leak detection systems such as SCADA, LEOS, PSL’s, Fiber Optics and others. The capabilities and advantages / disadvantages of the existing technology has been analyzed with special consideration given to the possible application in deepwater and subsea production. A key focus of the study has been to quantify how the various leak detection methods function under multiphase flow conditions and what role multiphase metering can play in reducing risks. New methods, such as compositional monitoring and data-driven momentum balance methods have been investigated along with special difficulties posed by pipeline bundles and pipe-in-pipe systems. Most important, the study is expected to provide the information necessary for decision makers to develop strategies for the special testing, inspection and monitoring requirements of deepwater pipelines.
Progress:
Workshop: A workshop entitled the “ASME/Texas A&M Symposium on Subsea & Arctic Leak Detection” was held September 9-10 at the George Bush Library – Conference Center in College Station. Preliminary results for the study were presented at this meeting as well as a variety of presentation covering the different types of leak detection technology applicable to the subsea environment. Comments received during this event are being incorporated into the final report for this project.
Presentation of Project Results: A formal presentation of the results of this project was given during a public workship held in the MMS Offices in New Orleans on October 15th. Comments from this meeting are being incorporated into the final report.
Report: Work on this project has been completed and the P.I. is working to finalize the report. A draft copy of the report is expected to be available the first week of December 2002.
Date: July 2002
Project Name: Worldwide Assessment of Industry Leak Detection Capabilities for Single & Multiphase Pipelines
Task Order: 18133 Project Number: 5888L
Principal Investigators: Dr. Stuart L. Scott, Dr M A Barrufet
Estimated Completion Date: July 2002
Project Description:Deepwater developments represent a significant departure from conventional production operations. While historically, the number of shallow water releases from pipelines is extremely small, deepwater flowlines operate under conditions rarely encountered in previous development schemes. The remoteness of the deepwater flowline, coupled with a number of complex interactions between the released fluids and deepwater environment makes external detection much more difficult. Internal leak detection is also made difficult by the reduced accuracy or complete lack of multiphase meters at the pipeline inlet. A study was undertaken to investigate the state-of-the-art in pipeline leak detection technology. This includes leak detection systems such as SCADA, LEOS, PSL’s, Fiber Optics and others. The capabilities and advantages / disadvantages of the existing technology has been analyzed with special consideration given to the possible application in deepwater and subsea production. A key focus of the study has been to quantify how the various leak detection methods function under multiphase flow conditions and what role multiphase metering can play in reducing risks. New methods, such as compositional monitoring and data-driven momentum balance methods have been investigated along with special difficulties posed by pipeline bundles and pipe-in-pipe systems. Most important, the study is expected to provide the information necessary for decision makers to develop strategies for the special testing, inspection and monitoring requirements of deepwater pipelines.
Progress:
Report: Work on this project has been completed and the P.I. is working to finalize the report. A draft copy of the report is expected to be available by the end of July 2002.
Project Meeting: A meeting was held on March 27th in College Station to review progress on the project. The meeting was attended by Bob Smith and Alex Alvarado from the MMS as well as the Texas A&M students and faculty involved with this project.
Workshop: In response to our survey letter and site-visits, we have found considerable interest in the concept of a workshop with a focus on leak detection for subsea and arctic pipelines. Working with the ASME Petroleum Division, I have organized a symposium on “Subsea & Arctic Leak Detection” which will be held September 9-10 at the George Bush Library – Conference Center in College Station.
Date: February 13, 2002
Project Name: Worldwide Assessment of Industry Leak Detection Capabilities for Single & Multiphase Pipelines
Task Order: 18133 Project Number: 5888L
Principal Investigators: Dr. Stuart L. Scott, Dr M A Barrufet
Estimated Completion Date: May 2002
Project Description:Deepwater developments represent a significant departure from conventional production operations. These developments are characterized by long, subsea flowlines which flow a complex mixture of oil, water and natural gas. While historically, the number of shallow water releases from pipelines extremely small, deepwater flowlines operate under conditions rarely encountered in previous development schemes. The remoteness of the deepwater flowline, coupled with a number of complex interactions between the released fluids and deepwater environment makes external detection much more difficult. Internal leak detection is also made difficult by the reduced accuracy or complete lack of multiphase meters at the pipeline inlet. A study is proposed to investigate the state-of-the-art in pipeline leak detection technology. This includes leak detection systems such as SCADA, LEOS, PSL’s, Fiber Optics and others. The capabilities and advantages / disadvantages of the existing technology will be analyzed with special consideration given to the possible application in deepwater and subsea production. A key focus of the study will be to quantify how these methods will function under multiphase flow conditions and what role multiphase metering can play in reducing risks. New methods, such as compositional monitoring and data-driven momentum balance methods will also be investigated along with special difficulties posed by pipeline bundles and pipe-in-pipe systems. Most important, the study will provide the information necessary for decision makers to develop strategies for the special testing, inspection and monitoring requirements of deepwater pipelines.
Progress:
Literature Survey: An extensive review has been conducted to identify leak detection technologies. This review has included both journal publications and the internet. A survey letter has been sent to 32 companies that advertise leak detection products. In addition, the following manuals have been obtained, besides numerous papers on leak detection.
· Gulf Of Mexico, Deepwater Operations and Activities, MMS May 2000
· Alaska Arctic Pipeline Workshop, MMS, November 1999
· API workshop for the methodology and application of Computational Pipeline Monitoring, October 1997
· Erosion/Corrosion velocity criteria for sizing multiphase pipeline, MMS, April 1995
· Evaluation methodology for software base leak detection systems, API, Dec 1994
· New Methods for rapid leak detection in offshore pipelines, MMS April 1992
· Rapid Leak detection for seafloor pipelines (Development of practical new methods), MMS August 1990
· Standard Test procedures for evaluating leak detection systems, EPA, March 1990Site-Visits: The following site-visits have been conducted to meet with MMS regional representatives, other regulator bodies, operators and leak detection vendors:
Rolla, MO U. Missouri – Rolla 10th July
New Orleans MMS 3rd October
Alaska MMS, State of Alaska, BP 4th December – 7th December
California MMS, Arguello Inc., REL 16th – 19th December
Germany Seimens (LEOS) 1st FebruaryAdditional visits are planned to meet with operators TotalFinaElf and Kerr-McGee on GOM projects, visit on-shore sites near Manchester in the UK and meet with regulators in Norway and/or the UK.
Leak modeling: Modeling of pipeline response to a small leak has been performed using the PIPESIM steady-state pipeline model. In addition, the OLGA transient model was installed during the summer and is being used to investigate both the steady-state response and the time component. Compositional monitoring for subsea leaks has been performed using PVTSIM & OLGA.
OLGA transient multiphase flow simulator has been used to investigate the minimum leak detectable. As a first step, transient response of a pipeline shut at both ends is simulated. The effect of leak on the wellhead pressure is also being simulated. The results of OLGA are being compared for the case of flooding of deepwater pipelines. An equation of state model has been coupled with OLGA, PVTSIM to investigate the effects of compositional change of the fluid after the leak location. Leak detection maps are being prepared to illustrate what size and location of leaks can be detected using PSL’s.
Workshop: In response to our survey letter and site-visits, we have found considerable interest in the concept of a workshop with a focus on subsea and arctic leak detection. We are proposing that such a workshop could be held May or Sept. 2002.