A practical approach to LDAR effectiveness evaluation

Abstract

As a growing number of oil and gas facilities worldwide implement leak detection and repair (LDAR) plans, the owners and the public are interested in better understanding their effectiveness, i.e. how total facility leak emission is decreased as a result of LDAR implementation. For this objective, it is critically important when calculating total mass leak emission to consider an estimated leak lifetime for the leakers found. Obviously, more frequent monitoring and shorter leak repair time should return lower leak lifetime and less emission. This simple yet important factor is mentioned but not detailed in existing guides. Some guides suggest formulae with the same equipment operating time both for leakers and non-leakers, which is not quite accurate since the actual leak lifetime could be significantly less than the total equipment operating time due to the proper LDAR implementation. In this article, we address this gap. The LDAR effectiveness evaluation approach utilizing leak lifetime is suggested and illustrated using examples.