International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering

| Peer-Reviewed |

Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline

Received: Sep. 28, 2019    Accepted: Oct. 23, 2019    Published: Nov. 11, 2019
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Mathematical model for leak location in natural gas pipeline has been developed in this paper. The model employs an isothermal steady state approach. Leak occurrence in the pipeline divides the pipeline into two sections-the upstream and downstream sections respectively. Analyses of leak incidences were carried out in the two pipeline sections giving rise to two equations being developed to address the leak localization. The first leak equation was developed by considering the upstream section of the pipeline while the second leak equation was developed by considering the downstream section of the pipeline. The two equations were analytically developed by slight modification of the Weymouth’s equation for gas flow in horizontal pipeline. Matlab software was used in the model simulation. Seven field data were used in the model simulation. The results from the Matlab simulation of the mathematical models developed gave the leak locations for each of the field cases. Comparison of the simulated results with actual results of leak locations determined experimentally revealed high level of accuracy with an average error of only 0.377% which is below the minimum acceptable limit. Furthermore analyses of results show that the two leak equations yield same results when used in the Matlab simulator. The model is highly suitable for accurate detection of leak in natural gas pipeline especially where economics and reliability is of essence.

DOI 10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12
Published in International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering ( Volume 7, Issue 4, July 2019 )
Page(s) 95-102
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Leak Location, Mathematical Model, Upstream Section, Downstream Section

References
[1] Nicholas, E., Carpenter, P., Henrie, M., Hung, D., Kundert, C. (2017). A New Approach to Testing Performance of a Pipeline Leak Detection System. Paper prepared for presentation at the PSIG Annual Meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
[2] Kegang Ling, Guoqing Han, X. N, Chunming Xu, Jun He, Peng Pei, and Jun Ge. (2015): A New Method for Leak Detection in Gas Pipelines, Paper (SPE 1891568) accepted for presentation at the SPE/AAPG/SEG Unconventional Resources Technology Conference, Denver.
[3] Baltazar, S. T. and Azevedo Perdicoúlis, T-P and Lopes dos Santos, P. (2016). Quadripole Models for Simulation and Leak Detection on Gas Pipelines. Paper prepared for presentation at the PSIG Annual Meeting held in Vancouver, British Columbia.
[4] Qian, D. and Fox, P. H. and See, B. L., (2015). Accurate Natural Gas Load Hourly Forecasting Using ANN Model Trained with Multiple Parameters’. 46th PSIG Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA.
[5] Reddy, H. P., Narasimhan, S., and Bhallamudi, S. M. (2006): Simulation and State Estimation of Transient Flow in Gas Pipeline Networks Using Transfer Function Model. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 45 (11): 3853–3863.
[6] Wang, S. and Carroll, J. J. 2007. Leak Detection for Gas and Liquid Pipelines by Online Modeling. SPE Proj Fac & Const 2 (2): 1–9. SPE- 104133-PA.
[7] Gajbhiye, R. N. and Kam, S. I. (2008). Leak Detection in Subsea Pipeline: A Mechanistic Modeling Approach with Fixed Pressure Boundaries. Presented at the Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, 5–8 May. OTC-19347-MS.
[8] Elliott, J., Fletcher, R., and Wrigglesworth, M. (2008): Seeking the Hidden Threat: Applications of a New Approach in Pipeline Leak Detection. Presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, Abu Dhabi, 3–6 November. SPE-118070-MS.
[9] Hauge, E., Aamo, O. M., and Godhavn, J.-M. (2009): Model-Based Monitoring and Leak Detection in Oil and Gas Pipelines. SPE Proj Fac & Const 4 (3): 53–60. SPE-114218-PA.
[10] Schlumberger. (2014). OLGA Dynamic Multiphase Flow Simulator. http://www.software.slb.com/products/foundation/Pages/olga.aspx.
[11] Ben-mansour, R., Habib, M. A., Khalifa, A., Youcef-Toumi, K and Chatzigeorgiou, D. (2012). Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Small Leaks in Water Pipeline for Direct Leak Pressure Transduction. Computers & Fluids, 57, 110-123.
[12] Balda Rivas, K. V. and Civan, F. (2013): Application of Mass Balance and Transient Flow Modeling for Leak Detection in Liquid Pipelines. Presented at the SPE Production and Operations Symposium, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, 23–26 March. SPE-164520-MS.
[13] Zhu, H., Lin, P. & Pen, Q. (2014). A CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) Simulation for Oil Leakage from Damaged Submarine Pipeline, Energy, 64, 887-899.
[14] Hanmer, G., Mora, V., Fábio C. G., Sergio L. (2018). Modelling of Rapid Transients in Natural Gas Pipelines. Paper prepared for presentation at the PSIG Annual Meeting held in Deer Valley, Utah.
[15] Thodi, P., Paulin, M., Forester, L., Burke, J., Lanan, G. (2014). Arctic Pipeline Leak Detection using Fibre Optic Cable Distributed Sensing System. In OTC arctic Technology Conference. Offshore Technology Conference, Houstin, Texas.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Obibuike Ubanozie Julian, Ekwueme Stanley Toochukwu, Ohia Nnaemeka Princewill, Igwilo Kevin Chinwuba, Onyejekwe Ifeanyi Michael, et al. (2019). Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering, 7(4), 95-102. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Obibuike Ubanozie Julian; Ekwueme Stanley Toochukwu; Ohia Nnaemeka Princewill; Igwilo Kevin Chinwuba; Onyejekwe Ifeanyi Michael, et al. Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline. Int. J. Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2019, 7(4), 95-102. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Obibuike Ubanozie Julian, Ekwueme Stanley Toochukwu, Ohia Nnaemeka Princewill, Igwilo Kevin Chinwuba, Onyejekwe Ifeanyi Michael, et al. Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline. Int J Oil Gas Coal Eng. 2019;7(4):95-102. doi: 10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12,
      author = {Obibuike Ubanozie Julian and Ekwueme Stanley Toochukwu and Ohia Nnaemeka Princewill and Igwilo Kevin Chinwuba and Onyejekwe Ifeanyi Michael and Igbojionu Anthony Chemazu},
      title = {Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline},
      journal = {International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering},
      volume = {7},
      number = {4},
      pages = {95-102},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ogce.20190704.12},
      abstract = {Mathematical model for leak location in natural gas pipeline has been developed in this paper. The model employs an isothermal steady state approach. Leak occurrence in the pipeline divides the pipeline into two sections-the upstream and downstream sections respectively. Analyses of leak incidences were carried out in the two pipeline sections giving rise to two equations being developed to address the leak localization. The first leak equation was developed by considering the upstream section of the pipeline while the second leak equation was developed by considering the downstream section of the pipeline. The two equations were analytically developed by slight modification of the Weymouth’s equation for gas flow in horizontal pipeline. Matlab software was used in the model simulation. Seven field data were used in the model simulation. The results from the Matlab simulation of the mathematical models developed gave the leak locations for each of the field cases. Comparison of the simulated results with actual results of leak locations determined experimentally revealed high level of accuracy with an average error of only 0.377% which is below the minimum acceptable limit. Furthermore analyses of results show that the two leak equations yield same results when used in the Matlab simulator. The model is highly suitable for accurate detection of leak in natural gas pipeline especially where economics and reliability is of essence.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Analytical Model for the Estimation of Leak Location in Natural Gas Pipeline
    AU  - Obibuike Ubanozie Julian
    AU  - Ekwueme Stanley Toochukwu
    AU  - Ohia Nnaemeka Princewill
    AU  - Igwilo Kevin Chinwuba
    AU  - Onyejekwe Ifeanyi Michael
    AU  - Igbojionu Anthony Chemazu
    Y1  - 2019/11/11
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12
    T2  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Engineering
    SP  - 95
    EP  - 102
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2376-7677
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ogce.20190704.12
    AB  - Mathematical model for leak location in natural gas pipeline has been developed in this paper. The model employs an isothermal steady state approach. Leak occurrence in the pipeline divides the pipeline into two sections-the upstream and downstream sections respectively. Analyses of leak incidences were carried out in the two pipeline sections giving rise to two equations being developed to address the leak localization. The first leak equation was developed by considering the upstream section of the pipeline while the second leak equation was developed by considering the downstream section of the pipeline. The two equations were analytically developed by slight modification of the Weymouth’s equation for gas flow in horizontal pipeline. Matlab software was used in the model simulation. Seven field data were used in the model simulation. The results from the Matlab simulation of the mathematical models developed gave the leak locations for each of the field cases. Comparison of the simulated results with actual results of leak locations determined experimentally revealed high level of accuracy with an average error of only 0.377% which is below the minimum acceptable limit. Furthermore analyses of results show that the two leak equations yield same results when used in the Matlab simulator. The model is highly suitable for accurate detection of leak in natural gas pipeline especially where economics and reliability is of essence.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

  • Department of Petroleum Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria

  • Section