What Are Natural Gas Leak Surveys?
Leak surveys are a proactive, frontline process used to systematically locate gas leaks across pipeline networks. Whether conducted via vehicle or on foot, the goal is to identify leaks before they become safety incidents, service disruptions, or regulatory issues.
In a regulatory environment with increasing focus on emissions from natural gas networks, gas utilities face constant pressure to:
| Survey large, complex networks frequently and efficiently
| Maintain public safety in populated areas
| Reduce unaccounted-for gas and fugitive methane emissions
Traditional or low‑sensitivity methods can miss early‑stage leaks. SENSIT’s leak survey instruments address this gap by enabling confident detection of even the smallest leaks under real‑world field conditions.
What Causes Natural Gas Leaks?
Corrosion Failure
Galvanic atmospheric and microbiological corrosive action can impact the integrity of natural gas distribution systems. Failures are not limited to a hole in the pipe, corrosion on fittings and glands can also lead to leaks.
Pipe, Weld or Joint Failure
Material defects within pipes, components or joints due to defects or in-service stresses can lead to failure. Natural gas pipelines are pressurized and do include relief equipment should there be a failure in operation or valve control.
Natural Force Damage
Temperature changes, heavy rain, floods, subsidence, landslides, earthquakes and even high winds blowing objects into infrastructure create stresses and the potential for leaks. Tree root systems are also a factor to consider with underground infrastructure.
Excavation Damage
Whether it’s through digging, grading, boring or drilling the installation and maintenance of other underground infrastructure can lead to damage of natural gas infrastructure, particularly in urban areas with dense underground infrastructure across gas, water, sewers and telecommunications.
Outside Force Damage
Vehicular traffic loading and contact from cars, trucks and other heavy equipment that can move can put outside forces on natural gas piping and connections leading the mechanical damage and leaks.
Intentional Damage
Willful or malicious destruction of equipment does unfortunately happen.
What Teams Need To Survey Gas Networks
High Sensitivity Detection To Locate Small Leaks
Limit False Positives By Confirming Leak Is From Gas Network
Efficient Coverage Of Large Networks By Vehicle Or On Foot
Clear Indicators For Follow-Up Activity
WHAT WE DO
SENSIT Solutions For Natural Gas Leak Surveys
Our battery powered instruments can be activated quickly and are straight forward to use.