Modeling and Simulation of a Leak Detection for Oil and Gas Pipelines via Transient Model: A Case Study of the Niger Delta

Abstract

This research project introduces the transient flow analysis of fluid within the pipeline to account for the imbalance in the continuity equation and law of conservation of momentum. The transient model is suitable for compressible flow and a variety of pipeline configuration. Measurement of the pressure, flow and temperature data at both the upstream and downstream ends of the pipeline are used in developing the equations to govern the system in detecting the leak, localize it and determine its flowrate. This model was developed using MATLAB programming. A simulated leak in a horizontal oil pipeline is considered here to demonstrate this leak detection method. By this model, for a leak incident in a horizontal pipeline of 2000m and diameter 0.3556m transporting Nigeria bonny light crude oil, the leak is located at 1433.5m from the upstream end which is 18.5m away from the actual leak location.

Keywords: transient, pipeline, leak detection, upstream, downstream, MATLAB