Summary

Pipelines are now an integral part of the world's economic structure, and literally billions of dollars worth of products are now moved annually in pipelines. Both economic and environmental factors are influential in pipeline operation, and therefore integrity monitoring is vitally important in the control and operation of complex systems.

Leak detection systems range from simple, visual line walking and checking to complex arrangements of hardware and software. No one method is universally applicable, and operating requirements dictate which method is the most cost effective. The aim of this paper is to review the basic techniques of leak detection that are currently in use. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed, and some indications of applicability are outlined.

Modern pipeline computer modeling and control is then reviewed in detail. These systems are the most flexible and versatile and are steadily being adopted. The influence of instrument accuracy on system design and performance is discussed, and the basic modeling equations are reviewed.

Introduction

Our need to transport fluids from the point of production to the area of end use has led to a rapid increase in the number of pipelines being designed and constructed. Many of these carry toxic or hazardous products, often close to centers of high population or through areas of high environmental sensitivity. With the need to safeguard these lines, online monitoring is becoming routine and in some cases 24-hour surveillance is mandatory.