Leak detection and repair
A programme for identifying leaks, prioritising repairs and checking whether the fixes worked.
Example
Operators can combine surveys with maintenance records and follow-up measurements.
The catch
Finding a leak does not demonstrate that it has been repaired.
In more depth
Leak detection and repair, explained.
Leak detection and repair works best as a routine, because leaks are intermittent and new ones appear between surveys. Crews use infrared cameras that make hydrocarbon gas visible and handheld analysers that measure concentration at a component, while continuous sensors and aerial surveys catch large releases quickly.
Survey frequency matters because a few large leaks, such as a stuck valve at a super-emitter site, can outweigh many minor ones, and every week a big leak runs adds to the total. EU methane rules for the energy sector set survey intervals and repair deadlines for oil and gas operators. The IEA counts this work among the lowest-cost options for methane abatement. A well-run programme reports leaks found and fixed, the results of re-surveys and how it chose its survey interval.