Leak detection using a nitrogen helium gas system

Conference · Thu Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5284005

Cooper, R E ^[1]

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1. Dowell Schlumberger Indonesia (ID)

A combined nitrogen purge and helium leak-detection system has been developed to safely pressure test and commission oil and gas process equipment. The system is able to detect leaks of a much lower magnitude than conventional leak detection systems and it offers several advantages over conventional hydrostatic testing. Inert nitrogen gas (used as the pressurizing medium) also safely purges the process system of oxygen and flammable gases, while helium in trace amounts provides a means of detecting leaks as low as 0.03 m/sup 3//yr. A mass spectrometer is used to detect extremely low levels of the helium detector gas.

• OSTI ID: 5284005
• Report Number(s): CONF-8802143--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FIELD PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
GASES
HELIUM
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAK TESTING
MASS SPECTROMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
OIL WELLS
RARE GASES
SPECTROMETERS
TESTING
WELLS