摘要 |
A method of determining the presence and/or the location of one or more leaks in a pipeline for carrying fluids, the method comprising the steps of: at least partially blocking a first point 301 on the pipeline 300; monitoring fluid pressure in the pipeline at a second point 302 on the pipeline for a time period; and processing the fluid pressure as measured at a first time with that as measured at a second time to infer the presence and/or location of a leak in the pipeline between the first and second points. Advantageously, the method according to the present invention does not require the fluid pressure to be monitored at both ends of the pipeline, and, in contrast to leak detection methods which monitor fluid pressure at two points on a pipeline, it does not require an accurate timing mechanism to ensure that the two measurements are substantially simultaneous. Also disclosed is apparatus for carrying out the method. |