PR015-253911-R01 External Leak Detection Systems on Liquid Hydrocarbon Pipelines

The safe and efficient transportation of liquid hydrocarbons is essential to the U.S. economy. Pipe-lines remain the most cost-effective and secure transportation option; however, undetected leaks can cause significant economic, environmental, and reputational harm.

This project addresses the potential impact of undetected leaks by creating a literature review and technology assessments highlighting the advancements in external hydrocarbon leak detection technology achieved in the past two decades. The goal is to provide updated information on the capabilities of available external leak detection technologies and guidelines on methodologies that can be used to select an external leak detection technology for a field application.

This document aims to help field operators incorporate this information into their selection process when selecting an appropriate external leak detection technology for their pipeline application. The document includes a full review on current literature, assessments on 12 external leak detec-tion technologies, a down selection guide, and summary of gaps in the current knowledgebase to help improve the operator technology selection process while reducing the risk of undetected leaks.