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SCADA, Leak Detection, Oil Pipeline, Mass Balance, Pump Failure.

Having extracting oil from reservoir below the ground surface, and after processing, the products are transported through a network of oil pipelines to oil terminals. Thus, oil pipelines play a major role of the economic structure. However, oil pipelines could be subjected to damage due to many reasons like (i) Pipeline corrosion or wear, (ii) Operation outside the design limits, (iii) Unintentional third-party damage and (iv) Intentional damage. As a result of this damage, oil would leak from pipelines, which leads to loss of life and property, cost of lost product and line downtime, environmental cleanup cost, possible fines and legal suits.

The biggest challenge in this industry is to come up with a pipeline leak detection method that will accurately detect leaks in a timely fashion.

There are several methods which lead to detection of pipeline leakage. In most Yemeni oil fields pipeline leakage is detected by fiber optics sensing method which is expensive or by visual inspection using experienced personnel who walk along a pipeline, looking for unusual patterns near the pipeline.

In this paper, we are going to implement a different and cost effective method using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

Simulation has been performed using Rockwell Automation Software Products. The results so obtained are presented and discussed.