Over the brief history of automatic leak detection, perhaps 40 years, there has been a great deal of experimentation and conjecture along with the application of real and meaningful science and technology. This is not unusual in a young field, but it has interfered with the development of a broad understanding of the underlying concepts and realities. This book places the need for leak detection on pipelines in a societal context using both a regulatory and a risk-based approach. It develops the applicable science, starting with first principles. It explores the technology available for implementation, shows how to estimate and monitor performance, and discusses how to maintain and ensure consistency over time.
This book is an excellent reference for professionals who develop and apply leak detection systems, as it discusses the fundamentals of leak detection science and technology, including the mathematics on which the fundamentals are based. It also includes key information about threats pipelines encounter, along with the underlying concepts, capabilities, and limitations of leak detection technology. This information will be of great value to regulators as well as to petroleum industry executives, safety and technology managers, and operations managers.