Apparatus and method for detecting and quantifying leakage in a pipe

摘要

The present invention is directed toward a method and an apparatus to investigate and quantify a leakage rate for a fluid between a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe being surrounded by at least a portion of the second pipe, where the pipes are arranged in a well in a ground and where a measuring arrangement including a flow meter and a pressure meter is put into fluid communication with an annulus defined by the first pipe and the second pipe, where fluid in the gaseous phase is conveyed through the measuring arrangement, as the annulus is used as a separation chamber for gas and liquid.

主权项

1. A method for investigating and quantifying leakage rate of a fluid between a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe being surrounded by at least a portion of the second pipe, the pipes being arranged in a well in a ground, said method including the steps of:
installing a measuring arrangement including a flow meter and a pressure gauge in fluid communication with an annulus surrounding a leakage site in the first pipe, the pressure gauge being connected to pressure sensors arranged to measure a pressure difference between the annuli; providing by means of a pressure-regulating valve arranged downstream of the measuring arrangement a constant pressure difference between the annuli surrounding the leakage site; and conveying through the measuring arrangement fluid in gas phase from the annulus connected to the measuring arrangement, said annulus being utilized as a separation chamber for gas and liquid.