Pressure Testing of New 8” Pipeline Lateral With Air

A procedure for pressure testing of small diameter pipelines (up to NPS 12) using air has been developed based on pilot test results conducted on a controlled simulated test section of a small volume = 18.5 m³. This paper describes the simulated test facility and presents results of five simulated tests with different size pinhole leaks. A model describing leaks and effects of variation in air temperature has been developed, and together with the test results, a criteria for the upper limit of pipe volume to leak area ratio for implementation of air testing for various pipe sizes, has been arrived at. The procedure was then developed and utilized on a project approved by the Alberta Energy Utility Board. Results of this test on a new 12.2 km NPS 8 pipeline lateral in Alberta are also presented.