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Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline

Received: 21 September 2020     Accepted: 6 October 2020     Published: 16 November 2020
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Abstract

It is important that leaks are detected early in pipelines. The need for prompt and accurate leak detection becomes more crucial when the pipeline content is gaseous. Remedial actions require that the leak location be determined in any leak incidence. Accurate leak localization will not only save cost but will enhance remedial actions such as replacement and repairs of damaged pipeline sections, clean-up of affected ecological systems and direct inspection of degree of damage. This information will aid in understanding the causes and effects of the leak. This paper presents a mathematical model for determination of the location of leak in a natural gas pipeline. The mathematical approach employed a mass balance approach to the modification of the Weymouth’s gas transportation equation in a horizontal natural gas pipeline. The pipeline under consideration was divided into two sections at the advent of leak. Before the leak point the pipeline cross section is represented as the upstream section while the downstream represents the section ahead of the leak point. The mathematical model herein was developed with reference to the downstream section of the pipeline. The results showed good accuracy with other leak location models available in literature and was also verified to be correct and within acceptable error limits when compared with actual field data.

Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering (Volume 8, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13
Page(s) 137-142
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Downstream Section, Weymouth, Mathematical Model, Natural Gas

References
[1] Ekwueme, S. T (2014). Model for pipeline leak detection in natural gas pipeline. Paper presented at the annual STCE paper presentation. Warri, Delta state.
[2] Balda Rivas, K. V. and Civan, F. (2013): Application of Mass Balance and Transient Flow Modeling for Leak Detection in Liquid Pipelines. Presented at the SPE Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, 23–26 March. SPE-164520-MS.
[3] Ghazali, M. F. (2012). Leak detection using instantaneous frequency analysis (PhD thesis), University of Sheffield, United Kingdom.
[4] Luopa, J. A. (2010) Leak Detection on Petroleum Pipelines. Worley Parsons Resources & Energy. Colt Technologies, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
[5] Lowry, W., Dunn, S. Walsh, R., Merewether, D. and Rao, D. (2000). Method and system to locate leaks in subsurface containment structures using tracer gases. US Patent 6035701.
[6] Gajbhiye, R. N. and Kam, S. I. (2008). Leak Detection in Subsea Pipeline: A Mechanistic Modeling Approach with Fixed Pressure Boundaries. Presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, 5–8 May. OTC-19347-MS.
[7] Kegang Ling, Guoqing Han, X. N, Chunming Xu, Jun He, Peng Pei, and Jun Ge. (2015): A New Method for Leak Detection in Gas Pipelines, Paper (SPE 1891568) accepted for presentation at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Denver.
[8] Elliott, J., Fletcher, R., and Wrigglesworth, M. (2008): Seeking the Hidden Threat: Applications of a New Approach in Pipeline Leak Detection. Presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, 3–6 November. SPE-118070-MS.
[9] Hauge, E., Aamo, O. M., and Godhavn, J.-M. (2009): Model-Based Monitoring and Leak Detection in Oil and Gas Pipelines. SPE Proj Fac & Const 4 (3): 53–60. SPE-114218-PA.
[10] Boaz, L., Kaijage, S. and Sinde, R. (2014). An overview of pipeline leak detection and location systems. Pan African International Conference on Information Science, Computing and Telecommunications, (pp. 133-136).
[11] Obibuike U. J., Ekwueme S. T., Ohia, N. P., Igwilo, K. C., Onyejekwe, I. M., Igbojionu, A. C. (2019). Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering. Vol. 7, No. 4, 2019, pp. 95-102.
[12] Jin Mingang (2019). Investigation on Parameters Affecting the Performance of Negative Pressure Wave Leak Detection Systems. Paper prepared for presentation at the PSIG Annual Meeting held in London, England.
[13] Mashford, J. (2009). An approach to leak detection in pipe networks using analysis of monitored pressure values by support vector machine. 3rd International Conference on Network and System Security, (pp. 534-539, 581).
[14] Ferrante, M., Brunone, B. and Meniconi, S. (2007). Wavelets for the analysis of transient pressure signals for leak detection. ASCE 133 (11), (pp. 1274–1282).
[15] Wang, S. and Carroll, J. J. 2007. Leak Detection for Gas and Liquid Pipelines by Online Modeling. SPE Proj Fac & Const 2 (2): 1–9. SPE- 104133-PA.
[16] Reddy, H. P., Narasimhan, S., and Bhallamudi, S. M. (2006): Simulation and State Estimation of Transient Flow in Gas Pipeline Networks Using Transfer Function Model. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45 (11): 3853–3863.
[17] Da Silva, V. H., Morooka, K., Guilherme, R., Da Fonseca, C. (2005) Leak detection in petroleum pipelines using a fuzzy system. Journal of Petroleum and Science and Engineering, Vol. 49, (pp. 223-228).
[18] Ekwueme, S. T (2014). A new mathematical model for pipeline leak detection in natural gas pipeline. Project submitted to Petroleum engineering Dept. FUTO.
[19] Obibuike, U. J. (2019). Real Time Estimation of Leak Location in a Natural Gas Pipeline – A Fluid Flow Modeling Approach. Ph. D Thesis submitted to Postgraduate school, FUTO, Owerri, Nigeria.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Anthony Chemazu Igbojionu, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, Mathew Udechukwu, Chioma Deborah Mbakaogu, Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme. (2020). Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 8(6), 137-142. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13

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    ACS Style

    Anthony Chemazu Igbojionu; Ubanozie Julian Obibuike; Mathew Udechukwu; Chioma Deborah Mbakaogu; Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme. Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2020, 8(6), 137-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13

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    AMA Style

    Anthony Chemazu Igbojionu, Ubanozie Julian Obibuike, Mathew Udechukwu, Chioma Deborah Mbakaogu, Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme. Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2020;8(6):137-142. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13,
      author = {Anthony Chemazu Igbojionu and Ubanozie Julian Obibuike and Mathew Udechukwu and Chioma Deborah Mbakaogu and Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme},
      title = {Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline},
      journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
      volume = {8},
      number = {6},
      pages = {137-142},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20200806.13},
      abstract = {It is important that leaks are detected early in pipelines. The need for prompt and accurate leak detection becomes more crucial when the pipeline content is gaseous. Remedial actions require that the leak location be determined in any leak incidence. Accurate leak localization will not only save cost but will enhance remedial actions such as replacement and repairs of damaged pipeline sections, clean-up of affected ecological systems and direct inspection of degree of damage. This information will aid in understanding the causes and effects of the leak. This paper presents a mathematical model for determination of the location of leak in a natural gas pipeline. The mathematical approach employed a mass balance approach to the modification of the Weymouth’s gas transportation equation in a horizontal natural gas pipeline. The pipeline under consideration was divided into two sections at the advent of leak. Before the leak point the pipeline cross section is represented as the upstream section while the downstream represents the section ahead of the leak point. The mathematical model herein was developed with reference to the downstream section of the pipeline. The results showed good accuracy with other leak location models available in literature and was also verified to be correct and within acceptable error limits when compared with actual field data.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Hydrocarbon Spill Management Through Leak Localization in Natural Gas Pipeline
    AU  - Anthony Chemazu Igbojionu
    AU  - Ubanozie Julian Obibuike
    AU  - Mathew Udechukwu
    AU  - Chioma Deborah Mbakaogu
    AU  - Stanley Toochukwu Ekwueme
    Y1  - 2020/11/16
    PY  - 2020
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13
    T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    SP  - 137
    EP  - 142
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2376-7677
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20200806.13
    AB  - It is important that leaks are detected early in pipelines. The need for prompt and accurate leak detection becomes more crucial when the pipeline content is gaseous. Remedial actions require that the leak location be determined in any leak incidence. Accurate leak localization will not only save cost but will enhance remedial actions such as replacement and repairs of damaged pipeline sections, clean-up of affected ecological systems and direct inspection of degree of damage. This information will aid in understanding the causes and effects of the leak. This paper presents a mathematical model for determination of the location of leak in a natural gas pipeline. The mathematical approach employed a mass balance approach to the modification of the Weymouth’s gas transportation equation in a horizontal natural gas pipeline. The pipeline under consideration was divided into two sections at the advent of leak. Before the leak point the pipeline cross section is represented as the upstream section while the downstream represents the section ahead of the leak point. The mathematical model herein was developed with reference to the downstream section of the pipeline. The results showed good accuracy with other leak location models available in literature and was also verified to be correct and within acceptable error limits when compared with actual field data.
    VL  - 8
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria

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