Leak Detection in a Pipeline Using Modified Line Volume Balance and Sequential Probability Tests

The use of statistical tools to improve the decision aspect of leak detection is becoming a common practice in the area of computer pipeline monitoring. Among these tools, the sequential probability ratio test is one of the most named techniques used by commercial leak detection systems [1]. This decision mechanism is based on the comparison of the estimated probabilities of leak or no leak observed from the pipeline data. This paper proposes a leak detection system that uses a simplified statistical model for the pipeline operation, allowing a simple implementation in the pipeline control system [2]. Applying linear regression to volume balance and average pipeline pressure signals, a statistically corrected volume balance signal with reduced variance is introduced. Its expected value is zero during normal operation whereas it equals the leak flow under a leak condition. Based on the corrected volume balance, differently configured sequential probability ratio tests (SPRT) to extend the dynamic range of detectable leak flow are presented. Simplified mathematical expressions are obtained for several system performance indices, such as spilled volume until detection, time to leak detection, minimum leak flow detected, etc. Theoretical results are compared with leak simulations on a real oil pipeline. A description of the system tested over a 500 km oil pipeline is included, showing some real data results.