Abstract: A leak detection method and apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising an enclosing temporary removable casing member which is connectable about a section of piping to be tested. The casing member provides openings which allow the passage of a section of piping to be tested therethrough, with the portion to be tested being sealably housed on the inner portion of the casing. The casing thus provides an inner leak recovery collection space between the casing and the section of the piping to be tested. The casing in the preferred embodiment is comprised of a pair of casing halves which are structurally connected about the section of piping to be tested by means of a bolted connection, for example, with flanged mating surfaces of each casing half registering and abutting to form a sealable connection about the section of the pipe to be tested.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting leaks in blowout preventors provides a capsule which forms an envelope about a portion of the blowout preventor where leaks exterior to the blowout preventor might occur. The capsule preferably is formed by a plurality of curved capsule segments which abut and radially assemble about flanges of the BOP system. The capsule segments carrying mating flanges which bolt together upon assembly to secure the capsule segments about the BOP stack. The interior of the flanges provides an inner space which collects leaks which might occur. The interior space is pneumatically connected to a relay which is attached to the capsule means for responding to the occurrence of the accumulated leak within the capsule.

Abstract: A portable system for early detection of leaks from suspect piping fittings, for example, as used on the "Christmas tree" portion of a gas well provides an encapsulating bladder which sealably encapsulates the suspect fitting and collects leaks from the fitting. The apparatus provides, in the preferred embodiment, a bladder which can encase any suspect portion of the Christmas tree (or like piping system), such as for example, the choke jacket or other like fittings where maximum turbulence occurs as when gas or oil mixed with sand flows through the fitting. In the preferred embodiment, the collection of a leak within the bladder causes a regulator to operate a control valve and halt the flow of gas, oil, or like flowing material through the piping system of which the suspect fitting is a part. The system can be applied to any other similar existing and operating piping arrangement where the detection of leaks from suspect fittings is desirable.