Natural Gas Pipeline Leak Detection and Consequences

1. Specializing in: Leak Detection Services for: Natural Gas Pipelines

2. Mechanics of Gas Leaks Mechanics of Gas Leaks Environmental Consequences Environmental Consequences Monetary Consequences Monetary Consequences Scope and Purpose of Leak Surveys Scope and Purpose of Leak Surveys Leak Detection Methodology Leak Detection Methodology Evaluation of Methodologies Evaluation of Methodologies The SuprSnifr The SuprSnifr Survey Stats Survey Stats Pictures Pictures

3. Reasons Gas Leaks Occur: Reasons Gas Leaks Occur: Internal corrosion (accounting for approximately 99%) Internal corrosion (accounting for approximately 99%) sulfur-reducing bacteria in the water sulfur-reducing bacteria in the water external corrosion external corrosion coating damaged or compromised coating damaged or compromised mechanical strikes mechanical strikes faulty welds faulty welds lightning strikes lightning strikes

4. As a greenhouse gas, methane is twenty-two times more potent than carbon-dioxide. As a greenhouse gas, methane is twenty-two times more potent than carbon-dioxide. Prolonged gas leaks cause soil to become hydrophobic, thereby destroying vegetation/crops. Prolonged gas leaks cause soil to become hydrophobic, thereby destroying vegetation/crops. Produced fluids may contaminate soil and groundwater. Produced fluids may contaminate soil and groundwater. Gas leaks result in the loss of a valuable resource. Gas leaks result in the loss of a valuable resource.

5. An average leak (1/8 diameter), under average pressure (50 PSI) will release about 11,500 cubic feet of natural gas per day. This represents a loss of more than 4 million cubic feet per year per leak. An average leak (1/8 diameter), under average pressure (50 PSI) will release about 11,500 cubic feet of natural gas per day. This represents a loss of more than 4 million cubic feet per year per leak. Larger leaks can release over 250,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day. Larger leaks can release over 250,000 cubic feet of natural gas per day.

6. Conducting A Leak Detection Survey : Conducting A Leak Detection Survey : Identifies pipeline and casing failures Identifies pipeline and casing failures Finds above grade leaks Finds above grade leaks Helps assess pipeline integrity Helps assess pipeline integrity Meets ERCB requirements Meets ERCB requirements

7. Foot Patrol Foot Patrol Involves walking directly over the pipeline and sampling from the ground surface. Involves walking directly over the pipeline and sampling from the ground surface. ATV Survey ATV Survey Involves riding directly over the pipeline and sampling near the ground surface. Involves riding directly over the pipeline and sampling near the ground surface. Aerial Survey Aerial Survey Involves flying over the pipeline right-of-way and sampling the atmosphere. Involves flying over the pipeline right-of-way and sampling the atmosphere. Gas Trak SuprSnifr Survey Gas Trak SuprSnifr Survey Involves atmospheric sampling downwind of pipelines using available roads and access trails. Involves atmospheric sampling downwind of pipelines using available roads and access trails.

8. Method Method Advantages Advantages Disadvantages Disadvantages Foot Patrol Foot Patrol Exhaustive Exhaustive Permits simultaneous pipeline locates Permits simultaneous pipeline locates Fences, most terrain negotiable Fences, most terrain negotiable Slow Slow Expensive Expensive Subject to weather, ground conditions Subject to weather, ground conditions Requires locating in absence of visual ROW Requires locating in absence of visual ROW ATV Survey ATV Survey Exhaustive Exhaustive More efficient and cost- effective More efficient and cost- effective Fences problematic Fences problematic Overgrowth conditions not negotiable Overgrowth conditions not negotiable Land owner issues Land owner issues Requires locating in absence of visual ROW Requires locating in absence of visual ROW Aerial Survey Aerial Survey Very quick Very quick All season surveys All season surveys Majority of leaks not detected Majority of leaks not detected Gas Trak SuprSnifr Gas Trak SuprSnifr Survey Survey Fast, efficient and cost- effective for entire gas gathering systems Fast, efficient and cost- effective for entire gas gathering systems Not completely exhaustive Not completely exhaustive Requires road, access trails Requires road, access trails Dependent on meteorological conditions Dependent on meteorological conditions Not effective in summer Not effective in summer Not a visual survey Not a visual survey

9. In 2000, Gas Trak Ltd. developed a quick and cost-effective method for detecting natural gas leaks. In 2000, Gas Trak Ltd. developed a quick and cost-effective method for detecting natural gas leaks. This proprietary method relies upon an understanding of the topographical and meteorological effects on natural gas plumes. Using an extremely sensitive flame ionization unit allows for the interception of the plume, which is followed to the source. This proprietary method relies upon an understanding of the topographical and meteorological effects on natural gas plumes. Using an extremely sensitive flame ionization unit allows for the interception of the plume, which is followed to the source.

10. Walking Walking % % ATV ATV % % SuprSnifr TM SuprSnifr TM % % Line Breaks Line Breaks Casing Failures Casing Failures Total Total 2000 2000 6 6 4 4 73 73 43 43 91 91 54 54 160 160 10 10 170 170 2001 2001 19 19 12 12 17 17 11 11 125 125 78 78 158 158 3 3 161 161 2002 2002 1 1 1 1 41 41 40 40 61 61 59 59 85 85 18 18 103 103 2003 2003 8 8 9 9 26 26 29 29 57 57 63 63 82 82 9 9 91 91 2004 2004 5 5 6 6 25 25 31 31 51 51 63 63 63 63 18 18 81 81 2005 2005 0 0 0 0 21 21 18 18 94 94 82 82 89 89 26 26 115 115 2006 2006 0 0 0 0 14 14 27 27 37 37 73 73 41 41 10 10 51 51 2007 2007 2 2 2 2 5 5 6 6 82 82 92 92 71 71 18 18 89 89 2008 2008 8 8 7 7 2 2 2 2 107 107 91 91 100 100 17 17 115 115 Totals Totals 49 49 5 5 224 224 23 23 705 705 72 72 849 849 129 129 978 978