American Petroleum Institute

Computational Pipeline Monitoring for Liquid Pipelines - Second Edition
 N 1130

Annotation

PURPOSE

This publication focuses on the design, implementation, testing and operation of CPM systems that use an algorithmic approach to detect hydraulic anomalies in pipeline operating parameters. The primary purpose of these systems is to provide tools that assist pipeline controllers in detecting commodity releases that are within the sensitivity of the algorithm. It is intended that the CPM system would provide an alarm and display other related data to the pipeline controllers to aid in decision-making. The pipeline controllers would undertake an immediate investigation, confirm the reason for the alarm and initiate an operational response to the hydraulic anomaly when it represents an operational upset or commodity release

The purpose of this publication is to assist the pipeline operator in identifying issues relevant to the selection, implementation, testing, and operation of a CPM system. This document be used in conjunction with other API publications and applicable regulations.

CONTENTS

This publication includes definitions, source and reference documents, concepts of data acquisition, discussion of design and operation of a pipeline as related to CPM, field instrumentation for CPM purposes, alarm credibility, pipeline controller response, incident analysis, record retention, maintenance, system testing, training, considerations for setting alarm limits, trending and recommendations for data presentation. The relationship between the pipeline controller and the CPM system is also discussed.

SCOPE LIMITATIONS

This publication is limited in scope to single-phase, liquid pipelines. It is recognized that no one particular methodology or technology may be applicable to all pipelines because each pipeline system is unique in design and operation. In addition, detectable limits are difficult to quantify because of the unique characteristics presented by each pipeline. Limits must be determined and validated on a system-by-system and perhaps a segment-by-segment basis. Figure B-1 (along with the discussion in Appendix B) provides a starting point for understanding where the practical detection limit of commodity releases starts. This publication is not all inclusive. The reader must have an intimate knowledge of the pipeline and may have to refer to other publications for background or additional information.