Testing Leak Detection System on Multi-Product Pipeline Enhances Understanding of System Sensitivity and Performance

Ultrasonic flow meters are widely accepted as being accurate, reliable and able to provide custody transfer measurements for liquids as well as gases. With enhanced digital signal processing and the use of advanced technologies such as WideBeam, non-intrusive ultrasonic flow meters can now be calibrated to custody transfer accuracy specifications. If a leak detection system is able to process the information that such flow meters provide, it is able to deliver unique performance, accuracy and reliability that makes it stand out against other leak detection technologies. This paper presents the challenges of two oil and hydrocarbon operating companies based in Asia and Europe and their experience with using a Measurement Based Leak Detection System that makes use of the non-intrusive ultrasonic WideBeam technology. It first discusses the working principles of a Measurement Based Leak Detection System, then it goes into with the actual performance derived from leak detection tests and finally, it assesses the performance of specific leak detection components on a multi-product pipeline under challenging conditions.