Fluid production network leak detection system

Abstract

A method can include receiving real time data where the real time data include at least pressure sensor data from multiple pressure sensors of a hydrocarbon fluid production network for multiple locations in the hydrocarbon fluid production network; generating an expected operational region in a multidimensional domain using at least a portion of the real time data; operating a leak detection system using the expected operational region; tracking at least a portion of the real time data in the multidimensional domain; and issuing a leak detection signal responsive to the tracking indicating an excursion from the expected operational region, where the leak detection signal indicates the presence of a leak in the hydrocarbon fluid production network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving real time data wherein the real time data comprise at least pressure sensor data from multiple pressure sensors of a hydrocarbon fluid production network for multiple locations in the hydrocarbon fluid production network;   generating an expected operational region in a multidimensional domain using at least a portion of the real time data;   operating a leak detection system using the expected operational region;   tracking at least a portion of the real time data in the multidimensional domain; and   issuing a leak detection signal responsive to the tracking indicating an excursion from the expected operational region, wherein the leak detection signal indicates the presence of a leak in the hydrocarbon fluid production network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein tracking at least a portion of the real time data in the multidimensional domain comprises tracking real time data for at least two of the multiple locations. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple locations comprise wellhead locations. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the wellhead locations comprise corresponding wells that are in fluid communication with a common reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expected operational region comprises a convex hull. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the convex hull is an ellipsoid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracking generates a transient region in the multidimensional space. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the transient region comprises a convex hull. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising refining at least one of an estimated leak location in real time and an estimated leak size in real time. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising transmitting instructions to dynamically render at least one graphic to a display that indicates at least one of the estimated leak locations in real time and the estimated leak size in real time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expected operational region characterizes fluid communication between at least two of the multiple locations. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expected operational region characterizes fluid communication between at least two of the multiple locations via a reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the leak comprises an outward leak or an inward leak. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor data from multiple pressure sensors of the hydrocarbon fluid production network for multiple locations in the hydrocarbon fluid production network impart redundancy that increases confidence of the leak detection system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising utilizing a real time model to generate simulated data during operation of the hydrocarbon fluid production network and comparing at least a portion of the real time data to at least a portion of the simulated data. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the real time data comprise at least one of multiphase flow sensor data, temperature sensor data, salinity sensor data, viscosity sensor data, water break sensor data, emulsion sensor data, and density sensor data. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the expected operational region is a no leak region. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon fluid production network comprises a manifold wherein multiple pipelines join the manifold. 
     
     
         19 . A leak detection system comprising:
 a processor;   memory accessible by the processor; and   processor-executable instructions stored in the memory wherein the instructions comprise instructions to instruct the leak detection system to:
 receive real time data wherein the real time data comprise at least pressure sensor data from multiple pressure sensors of a hydrocarbon fluid production network for multiple locations in the hydrocarbon fluid production network; 
 generate an expected operational region in a multidimensional domain using at least a portion of the real time data; 
 operate a leak detection system using the expected operational region; 
 track at least a portion of the real time data in the multidimensional domain; and 
 issue a leak detection signal responsive to the tracking indicating an excursion from the expected operational region, wherein the leak detection signal indicates the presence of a leak in the hydrocarbon fluid production network. 
   
     
     
         20 . One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions executable by a computer, the instructions comprising instructions to:
 receive real time data wherein the real time data comprise at least pressure sensor data from multiple pressure sensors of a hydrocarbon fluid production network for multiple locations in the hydrocarbon fluid production network;   generate an expected operational region in a multidimensional domain using at least a portion of the real time data;   operate a leak detection system using the expected operational region;   track at least a portion of the real time data in the multidimensional domain; and   issue a leak detection signal responsive to the tracking indicating an excursion from the expected operational region, wherein the leak detection signal indicates the presence of a leak in the hydrocarbon fluid production network.