Specializing in: Leak Detection Services for: Natural Gas Pipelines

Mechanics of Gas LeaksMechanics of Gas LeaksEnvironmental ConsequencesEnvironmental ConsequencesMonetary ConsequencesMonetary ConsequencesScope and Purpose of Leak SurveysScope and Purpose of Leak SurveysLeak Detection MethodologyLeak Detection MethodologyEvaluation of MethodologiesEvaluation of MethodologiesThe SuprSnifr™The SuprSnifr™Survey StatsSurvey StatsPicturesPictures

Reasons Gas Leaks Occur:Reasons Gas Leaks Occur:

Internal corrosion (accounting for Internal corrosion (accounting for approximately 99%)approximately 99%)

sulfur-reducing bacteria in the water sulfur-reducing bacteria in the water

external corrosion external corrosion coating damaged or compromisedcoating damaged or compromised

mechanical strikes mechanical strikes

faulty welds faulty welds

lightning strikeslightning strikes

As a greenhouse gas, methane is twenty-two times As a greenhouse gas, methane is twenty-two times more potent than carbon-dioxide. more potent than carbon-dioxide.

Prolonged gas leaks cause soil to become Prolonged gas leaks cause soil to become hydrophobic, thereby destroying vegetation/crops.hydrophobic, thereby destroying vegetation/crops.

Produced fluids may contaminate soil and Produced fluids may contaminate soil and groundwater.groundwater.

Gas leaks result in the loss of a valuable resource.Gas leaks result in the loss of a valuable resource.

An average leak (1/8” diameter), under An average leak (1/8” diameter), under average pressure (50 PSI) will release average pressure (50 PSI) will release about 11,500 cubic feet of natural gas per about 11,500 cubic feet of natural gas per day. day. This represents a loss of more This represents a loss of more than 4 million cubic feet per year per than 4 million cubic feet per year per leak.leak.

Larger leaks can release over 250,000 Larger leaks can release over 250,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day.cubic feet of natural gas per day.

Conducting A Leak Detection Conducting A Leak Detection SurveySurvey: :

Identifies pipeline and casing failuresIdentifies pipeline and casing failures

Finds above grade leaksFinds above grade leaks

Helps assess pipeline integrityHelps assess pipeline integrity

Meets ERCB requirementsMeets ERCB requirements

Foot PatrolFoot PatrolInvolves walking directly over the pipeline and Involves walking directly over the pipeline and sampling from the ground surface.sampling from the ground surface.

ATV SurveyATV SurveyInvolves riding directly over the pipeline and Involves riding directly over the pipeline and sampling near the ground surface.sampling near the ground surface.

Aerial SurveyAerial SurveyInvolves flying over the pipeline right-of-way and Involves flying over the pipeline right-of-way and sampling the atmosphere.sampling the atmosphere.

Gas Trak SuprSnifrGas Trak SuprSnifr™ ™ SurveySurveyInvolves atmospheric sampling downwind of Involves atmospheric sampling downwind of pipelines using available roads and access trails.pipelines using available roads and access trails.

MethodMethod AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantagesFoot PatrolFoot Patrol ExhaustiveExhaustive

Permits simultaneous Permits simultaneous pipeline locatespipeline locates

Fences, most terrain Fences, most terrain negotiablenegotiable

SlowSlow

ExpensiveExpensive

Subject to weather, ground Subject to weather, ground conditionsconditions

Requires locating in absence of Requires locating in absence of visual ROWvisual ROW

ATV SurveyATV Survey ExhaustiveExhaustive

More efficient and cost-More efficient and cost-effectiveeffective

Fences problematicFences problematic

Overgrowth conditions not Overgrowth conditions not negotiablenegotiable

Land owner issuesLand owner issues

Requires locating in absence of Requires locating in absence of visual ROWvisual ROW

Aerial SurveyAerial Survey Very quickVery quick

All season surveysAll season surveysMajority of leaks Majority of leaks notnot detected detected

Gas Trak SuprSnifrGas Trak SuprSnifr™™

SurveySurvey

Fast, efficient and cost-Fast, efficient and cost-effective for entire gas effective for entire gas gathering systemsgathering systems

Not completely exhaustiveNot completely exhaustive

Requires road, access trailsRequires road, access trails

Dependent on meteorological Dependent on meteorological conditionsconditions

Not effective in summerNot effective in summer

Not a visual surveyNot a visual survey

In 2000, Gas Trak Ltd. developed a quick In 2000, Gas Trak Ltd. developed a quick and cost-effective method for detecting and cost-effective method for detecting natural gas leaks.natural gas leaks.

This proprietary method relies upon an This proprietary method relies upon an understanding of the topographical and understanding of the topographical and meteorological effects on natural gas meteorological effects on natural gas plumes. Using an extremely sensitive plumes. Using an extremely sensitive flame ionization unit allows for the flame ionization unit allows for the interception of the plume, which is interception of the plume, which is followed to the source.followed to the source.

WalkingWalking %% ATVATV %% SuprSnifr TMSuprSnifr TM %% Line BreaksLine Breaks Casing FailuresCasing Failures TotalTotal

20002000 66 44 7373 4343 9191 5454 160160 1010 170170

20012001 1919 1212 1717 1111 125125 7878 158158 33 161161

20022002 11 11 4141 4040 6161 5959 8585 1818 103103

20032003 88 99 2626 2929 5757 6363 8282 99 9191

20042004 55 66 2525 3131 5151 6363 6363 1818 8181

20052005 00 00 2121 1818 9494 8282 8989 2626 115115

20062006 00 00 1414 2727 3737 7373 4141 1010 5151

20072007 22 22 55 66 8282 9292 7171 1818 8989

20082008 88 77 22 22 107107 9191 100100 1717 115115

TotalsTotals 4949 55 224224 2323 705705 7272 849849 129129 978978

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

WalkingATVSuprSnifr TMTotal