Distributed fibre optic sensors for pipeline protection

Pipeline leakage and intrusion detection continue to be a difficult issue because existing leak detection methods and the traditional methods of guarding pipelines have proven inadequate in the prevention of leaks and deterring third party intrusion into pipelines and plant facilities. The application of fibre optic leak detection and third party intruder detection methods have been successfully demonstrated to provide non-intrusive digital pipeline monitoring by acting as an early warning system, allowing operators to act swiftly in the event of a pipeline leakage or intrusion into a plant area or leakage into the environment. The ability to interface with existing client DCS and SCADA system also provides automated input from fibre optic monitoring systems where product leakage requires prompt closure of pipeline valves before large spills occur. This paper explains the principle of Leak Detection and Third Parry Intruder Detection using fibre optics distributed temperature sensing (DTS) with examples of recent LNG and LPG pipeline leak detection installations and the outcomes of fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) intruder monitoring case studies with a view to improving pipeline protection and thus increase pipeline productivity and integrity, while offering protection of the environment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.