CA1161697A - Leaky pipe-fitting sensor and control system - Google Patents

Abstract

S P E C I F I C A T I O N
Inventor: Kibby E. Pillette , Invention: Leak Detection System ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A leak detection method and apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus comprising an enclosing temporary removable casing mem-ber which is connectable about a section of piping g 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 sealable 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. A suitable sealing interface is provided which can before example, in the form of a gasket member between the respective cas-ing halves as well as between the piping section to be tested and the openings in the casing. A control valve mounted in the wall of the casing senses the presence of leakage within the casing member attached to the pipe.

Description

3'-~

Backqround of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to piping and piping control systems, but more particularly, the present invention relates to the detection of leaks in the fitting portion of piping systems and the subsequent closure of valves and like controls coincident with the occurrence of such a leak. Even ; more particularly, the present invention relates to a portable apparatus ~or detecting leaks in a suspect fitting portion of a pipeline with a bladder structure being portable and attachable to any existing piping system in a sealable fashion, the bladder thereafter collec-ting leaks.

2. General Backaround and Prior Art In all piping systems, there is utilized generally a , number of "fittings" whic'h are used to configure the pipeline or piping system to a desired chemical plant, or to the terrain across which it is flowing, or otherwise to change the pipelines configuration and position. Such fittings are known in the art as elbows, tees, crosses, valves~ flanges and the like. A
fitting is generally referred to hereinafter as any portion of a pipeline which is connectable to a normal pipe joint, the fitting being a portion of the pipeline which can create turbulence and which can be a ~spot for potential leaks-Leaks in fittings are generally created by corrosionor mechanical deterioration. ~his is often seen in t'he oil and gas industry where natural gas and/or oil flowing from a well is often comblned with sand and the flowing produces a sandblast-ing effect. This sandblasting effect especially eats away at elbows, tees, choke jackets, and valves when the pipeline makes a turn. It is known in the art that -turbulence is increased at such turning points in the pipeline.

~.~

In the production of natural gas, a well is normally drilled ~ith a length of pipe known as a "drill string"- The drill pipe is individually made up of sections which can be, for example, thirty feet (30'). The drill pipe is enclosed normally in a casing which is also welfed or jointed. Casing is then cemented into place from the bottom up~ At the head of the casing, the crew installs a master ~alve that may be closed quickly and surely to shut off the flow of gas. Above this valve is placed a "Christmas tree". A Christmas tree is merely an assembly of pipes and valves that allows the gas to flow into gathering lines. These gather the output of several wells and carry the fuel to the cross-country pipelines for remote transmission of the gas. It is to this general field that the present invention is directed.
Ssveral devices have been patented which have attempted ; to provide a method for the detection of leaks in flow lines and in fittings which have been corroded by chemical or weather attack, or mechanically deteriorated as is the case with sand/gas com-binations. The following table provides a list of some prior art devices which have been patented.
PRIOR ART PATE~TS
U.S. Patent ~o. Inventor Issue Date 2,280,140 J. H. Wilson April 21, 1942 2,607,225 P. H. Biscoe January 23, 19~8 2,765,801 F. E. Selim October 9, 1956 ~2,937,520 A. Bell May 24, 1960

3,339,415 W. Wild September 5, 1967 3,399,728 A. R. Taylor September 3, 1968 '7 3. General Discussion of the Present Invention The present invention,provides a simple and economica] system for the dete<ction of minute leaks in flow lines, and a method for the shut-off of flow within the line for a catastrophic failure of the line occurs. Such a device is especially important in the oil and gas industry, and in the transmission of natural gas where pressures developed within flow lines can be quite high.
The present invention provides a portable bladder which can be quickly attached and jacketed into position around a particular fitting in any existing piping system which fitting may be suspect or subject to damage. Thus, the bladder could be placed around the fittings which would ex- -~
perience a maximum amount of turbulence, mechanical deterior-ation, or corrosion.
The present invention solves all these prior art problems and shortcomings by providing a portable bladder apparatus which is comprised generally ~f a pair of bladder shell halves which can be fitted together in a sealable fashion about a portion of an existent pipeline ~such as an elbow or like fitting) where leaks may occur. The bladder provides a pair of shell sections, each section having sealing mating surfaces which correspond to one another and join to-gether in an encapsulating sealing fashion about the suspect fittings. The bladder could be manufactured in a variety of desired shapes so as to properly encapsulate the subject fitting which is suspect for corrosion, mechanical deterior-ation, or leaXage. In the preferred embodiment, a valve apparatus or regulator is provided which "senses" the presence of a leak and can through gas instrumentation for example, thereafter close a valve for example, thus shutting off the "
flow of fluid through the pipeline and avoiding continued

-4~

leakage and in the case of dangerous, volatile or hazardous materials, a possible catastrophe~
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting leaks in suspect piping fittings comprising. a. a removable enclosure for encapsulating a suspect piping fitting where leakage may occur' b. the enclosure forming a space adjacent the fitting for collecting leaking fluid from the fitting within the enclosure, c. fluid responsive relay means connected with the space for transmitting a signal generated in response to a pressure increase within the enclosure caused by the leaking fluid; and d. means for translating the signal into a responsive operation.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of detecting leaks in suspect piping system fittings, the steps comprising: aO identifying a fitting which is suspect of eventual leakage, b- encapsulating the suspect fitting with an enclosure to collect the leak, the enclosure forming a defined space adjacent the fitting; c.
collecting leaking fluid within the enclosure; d. generating a signal in response to a pressure increase in the space caused by fluid leaking from the fitting, and e. transmitting the ; sign~al to a means for translating the signal into a responsive operation.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting leaks in suspect piping system fittings, comprising: a. non-rigid bladder means for sealably encapsulating a suspect fitting portion of a pip-ing system where leaks may occur, b. means for sealably attach-ing the non~riyid bladder means to the suspect fittings, and c. valve closure means responsive to the occurrence of a leak in the suspect fitting and collected by the bladder means for halting the flow of fluid within the piping system to which the - 4a -~ ~7 bladder means is attached, In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting leaks in suspect piping fittings comprising: a. enclosure :means for sealably encapsulating a suspect piping fitting where leaks may occur b. clamp means attachable about the enclosure means for sealably attaching the enclosure means to a suspect piping fitting, leaks occurring in the piping fitting being at least initially collected within the enclosure means; c- regulator means connected with the enclosure means for transmitting a signal generated in response to a pressure increase within the enclosure means caused by the accumulation of a leak within the enclosure means, d. conduit means for transmitting leaks collected by the enclosure means to the regulator means, e-valve means for controlling flow within the piping system to ; . which the enclosure means is attached, the valve means being operated at least in part by the signal of the means from a first "open flow" position to a second "closed flow" position, the transmittal of a leak occurring in the suspect piping fitting through the conduit means and to the regulator means causing the regulator means to operate the valve means from the first "open flow" position to the second "closed flow" position halting flow in the piping system.
~ In a still further aspect of the present invention, ; there is provided a leak detection and shutoff apparatus for oil and gas wells comprising: a. oil and gas well wing valve means : for controlling flow of oil and gas at least in part from the oil and gas well, b. enclosure means for sealably encapsulating a suspect fitting portion of an oil and gas well, c. attachment means for sealably attaching the enclosure means to the suspect fitting, gas leaks occurring in the suspect fitting heing collected within the enclosure means, and d. instrumentation means connecting the enclosure means and the wing valve means of the oil and gas well for closing the wing valve means, the instrumentation means closing the wing valve means responsive to the occurrence of a leak in the suspect fitting, the leak collected by the enclosure means.
In a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a leak detection and shutoff apparatus for oil and gas wells comprising: a. bladder means for encapsulating a suspect fitting portion of an oil or gas well where leaks may occur, b. attachment means for sealably affixing the bladder means to the suspect fitting, the bladder means then collecting leaks occurring within the suspect fitting, c. valve means on the oil or gas well for controlling the flow of oil and gas from the oil or gas well, the valve means being operable from a first "open flow" position to a second "closed flow" position, d.
regulator means connected with the bladder means for operating the valve means from the "open flow" position to the "closed flow" position; e. conduit means for transmitting leaks collected within the bladder means to the regulator means, f. instrumenta-: tion line connecting the valve means and the regulator means, the accumulation of a leak in the suspect fitting by the bladder : means and transmitted to the regulator means through the conduit means effecting in the regulator means an operation of the valve means from the first "open flow" position to the second "closed flow" position.

.
~,~

3'7 Brief Description of the Drawings For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like re-ference numerals. Thus, the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings wherein~
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a typical oil and gas well illustrating the master valve and pipe assembly at the top portion of the well, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, lS Figure 4 is a sectional view of a typical choke jacket with the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention attached thereto in a sealable fashion, Figure 4-A is a prospective exploded view of the bladder portion of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the pipe clamps for hold-ing the bladder to the suspect fitting in a sealable fashion Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5.5 of Figure 4-A.
; Figure 6 is an oblique view of an additional em-bodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

`7 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Figure 1 illustrates a typical piping system with which -the present invention has application, the system being a conventional oil and gas well showing a Christmas tree 20 mounted on the oil and gas well 22 itselE. As can best be seen from Figure 1, oil and gas enters the bottom portion of the well ; through screen pipe 23 and moves upwardly through tubing 24 to Christmas tree 20. Christmas tree 20 is attached at casing assembly 25 with for example, a flanged connection. As can best be seen from Figure 1, the gas flows upwardly (see arrows~
through Christmas tree 20 and passes laterally through manumatic valves 26 and then through choke jackets 28. Often a certain amount of sand or like abraslve material is combined with the oil and gas, creating a mechanically erosive effect akin to sand-blasting on the inside of Christmas tree 20 and more particularly within the fittings, such as choke jacket 28. Cho]ce jacket 28 is thus "suspect" in that the mechanically erosive ef~ect of flow can eventually cause minute leaks which continuously grow until failure of the fitting or choke jaGket occurs with the escape of volatile and polluting oil/gas presenting a hazard to property, lives and the environment.
Figure 1 illustrates the portion of the oil and gas well to which the present invention could be directed in an exemplary installation, (i.e., the Christmas treej- It should be understood that the present invention could be applied to any piping situa-tion where a particular fitting or section of pipe is subject to corrosion or failure and subsequent leaks. Thus, the present invention would be particularly useEul in hazardous industrles where even minute leaks would be either harmEul~ wasteful or even disastrous to property, lives, and the environment.
~ le Christmas tree 20 shc~n in Figure 1 is provided with manumatic valves 26 which control the flow of natural gas from the well 22 to transmission pipelines. As can be seen by the arrows in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the gas flows upwardly and then laterally through valves 26 to choke jackets 28. Choke jackets 28 often experience high turbulence and corresponding mechanical erosion and therefore can be a potential source of leaks, Figures 2 and 3 illustrate schematic piping diagrams of the preferred and alternative embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating their connection with the manumatic valves 26 and choke jacket 28.
Figure 2 provides the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention where a rupture of bladder 12 occurs often, a leak from choke jacket 28 is collected within bladder 12. In Fiyure 2 can be seen manumatic valve 26 which is held in an open position by means of a supply of instrumentation control fluid flowing through conduit 16. Conduit 16 passes through controller 14 which can be a cRBsM type controller as ; manufactured by U.S.I. Controller 14 is held in a posture which : allows high pressure fluid 16 to pass therethrough in order to maintain valve 26 in an open position as long as regulator 14 additionally receives low pressure control fluid through supply line 10. Interruption of instrumentation control fluid to controller 14 causes the controller to "shift" and interrupt the supply of instrumentation control fluid to valve 26. Since valve 26 requires a supply of control fluid to operate, it can be seen that an interruption in the supply of instrumentation : control fluid in conduit 16 causes the valve 26 to close, halting -the flcw of fluids such as natural gas therethrough. As can be seen best in Figure 2, supply conduit 10 feeds control fluid to bladder 12 and thereafter to regulator 1~. It can he seen that a rupture of bladder 12 (as will occur when a leak from choke jacket 2~ fills bladder 12) will interrupt the f].ow of instrumentation control fluid to regulator 1~.

~ ;D~ ~

In Fig~res 2 and 3, bladder 12 is shown encasing choke jacket 28, but it can be used on any suspect piping fitting where erosion could produce the occurrence of leaks from the fittings at any time without notice.
Bladder 12, as will be discussed more fully herein-after is attached to a suspect fitting such as a choke jacket 28 by means of, for example, a plurality of pipe clamps 30.
The bladder would be generally open at one end portion as is illustrated in Figure 4-A, so that it could slip over the choke jacket. The slitted portion designated generally by the numeral 40 in Figure 4-A would be sealed by gluing or like closure while the openings 42-44 would be sealed by means of clamps 30, as is illustrated in Figure 4-A~ Thus, a sealable encapsulating bladder 12 would be provided about any suspect fitting, with the end result that a leak occurring from the fitting 28 would be ; collected by the bladder and thereafter transmitted through a suitable conduit 45 to shut off apparatus or like indicating structure, as will be discussed mo~e fully hereinafter, and as was illustrated heretofore in Figures 2 and 3. Note that an air space 13 can be provided be-tween bladder 12 and fitting 28 into which air space leaks from fitting 28 will flow and thus be collected. Air space 13, likewise, provides a space into which instrumentation air can flow through conduits 10 enroute to controller 1~, as was described more fully above.
Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the 'apparatus of the present invention which shows a typical manumatic control valve 26 controlling the flow of oil and gas from line 27 which leaves Christmas tree 20 (note Figure 3)~ An instru-mentation gas supply fed through conduit 16 and towards valve 26 maintains valve 26 in an "open" position. Regulator lS

can be for ex~mple, a Fisher Model 164~A regulator set at approximately five to ten pounds in an exemplary insta:Llation-~ uch a regulator as the Fisher Model 164-A is a three way pneumatic switching valve. It is spring loaded and diaphragm actuated. A control connection to the regulator applies sufficient pressure to the diaphragm causing a valve plug within to shift and change the route o~ fluids flo~ing through the regulator.
Utilizing regulator 15, a normally open port within regulator 15 allows the control fluid supply to pass through conduit 16 and maintain valve 26 in an "open" position~ If it is undesixable to maintain a pressure on bladder 12, as is done in the preferred embodiment, the alternative embodiment provides no pressure on bladder 12, but rather bleeds pressure through line 13 in the event of a leak within fitting 28. It can be seen that the leak from fitting 28 will be caught within bladder 12 and flow through conduit 13, causing a build up of pressure within both bladder 12 and line 13 and shifting a piston or like valving member within regulator 15 to close the control fluid supply in conduit 16. The lack of this control fluid to valve 26 causes it to close (as is known in the art).
me e~m~odiments of the present invention above dis-closed provide a simple solution for the problem of early detection of leaks in suspect fittings of flow lines, for example, i as in the choke jacket of a Christmas tree portion of a natural gas well.
As with the embodiment shown in Figure 2 ? bladder 12 ~ould be attached in an encapsulating fashion about the suspect fitting, such as a choke jacket 28 by using clamps 30, as is illustrated in Figure 3. Clamps 30 can be for example, generally "U" shape pipe clamps as is illustrated more particularly in Figure 4 and 4-A.
Figures 4, 4-A and S illustrate more parti.cularly, the structure of bladder .12. Bladder 12 is in the preferred embodiment comprised of a generally flexible material such as, _ g ~

rubber, plastic film, or the like .Such a pliable structure could easily be formed around a suspect fitting as is illustrated in Figure 4 with a typical oil field choke jacket 28.
The sealing of bladder 12 about suspect fitting 28 would be accomplished, for exarnple, by using a plurality of pipe clamps 30, as is illustrated in Eigures 4 and 4-A, each clamp 30 could be for example, comprised of a pair of generally "U" shaped clamp halves 30, 32, with each clamp half providing outwardly depending tabs 34 with openings 35 therethrough.
Clamp halves 31, 32 could be assembled by using a bolted connection 40 as illustrated best in Figure 4-A.
In Figure 4-A, a bladder 12 is provided which is shaped to generally fit over and encapsulate an oil field choke jacket 28. ~ote that a pair of slits 40, 46 are provided which will allow bladder 12 to be split partially into a pair of bladder halves 12-A and 12-s. Bladder halves 12-A and 12-B would be separated by hand and the entire bladder structure 12 pulled over the suspect fitting such as, choke jacket 28 and thereafter sealed using pipe clamps 30 as aforementioned. Slits 40 and ~6 could be sealed by using glue or like suitable means. A rubber cement or rubber glue could be used to seal slits 46 and 40, if desirable.
The entire bladder structure 12 could be totally split into two separate halves which are not connected at all if desirable. In such an instance, each half would be mounted to the pipe suspect fitting and thereafter, glued along the slits 40 and 46 with the sealable connection to fittlng 28 being completed using pipe clamps 30.
In Figures 4 and 5, there is seen a conduit 10 which is integrally attached to bladder 12. Each conduit line 10 is schematically illustrated in Figure 2 and 3 and provides a conduit which instrumentation gas (Figure 2) or a collected lea~ (Figure 3) could pass to perform the desired indication and shut off function.
It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the bladder structure 12 thus, taught by the present invention is totally portable and could easily be attached - to any existing piping system while the ~iping system is in operation. Thus, the present invention provides a leak detection and shut off apparatus which would easily be added to existing gas wells, oil wells, or like piping systems where fittings are suspect and where leaks might occur with the result being possibly a loss of life or like catas-trophe.
In Figure 5, conduit 10 could connect to a section of conventional tubing 50 with the connection being perfected in a sealable fashion using clamps 30 and a bolted 48 connection.
;The apparatus of the present invention is totally portable and capable of operating without the intervention of a human operator, and can thus avert the possibility of any hazards caused by leakage, whioh can eventually lead to explosion, fire, or like -threats to property, life, and the environment.
The present invention would allow a flow line control valve to be shut off, and stop the flow of gas from a gas well and thus avert the escape of gas through any minute leak which might occur in a suspect fitting which leak over a period of time in a remote area could grow with the continued escape of natural gas or like volatile fluid posing a hazard to both individuals and the environment. Such an early leak detec-tion and valve closure system would save the unnecessary and wasteful loss of much fuel before the lea~ is detected, even in the case where a disaster does not occur~

Using the alternative embodiment, line 13 leaving bladder 12 (see Figure 3) provides an instrumentation line which would operate any pressure or volume change responsive alarm, pressure guage or like indicator. Thus, as a leak in a suspect fittin~ cccurred, the fluid would be trapped in bladder 12 and either pressure or volume or both would be transmitted to line 13 for operation of the desired indicator - the leak being detected.
Figure 6 best illustrates an additional embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention generally designated by Number 110. In Figure 6, there can be seen a typical pipe-line 111 which is comprised of a plurality of piping joints llla through llld adjoined at their end portion by attachments such as bolting or welding to a conventional type cross-fitting 112. This embodiment of the leak detection apparatus of the invention designated by the Numeral 110 is comprised in Figure 6 of a first casing half ~3 and a second casing half 114. Each casing half 113 and 114 would provide a generally curved casing wall 115 having a thickness as needed to accommodate pressures within as will be discussed more fully hereinafter. The casing halves 113 and 114 further provided with flanges 116 as is illustrated in Figure 6. Opening 118 is provided in each flange 116, which openings will accommodate bolt 120 and nut 121 as shown in Figure 6, thereby completing a seal.
In Figure 6 it can be further seen a sealing disc 130 which occupies an opening 124 when halves 113 and 114 are assembled. Sealing disc 130 is of a pliable material, such as rubber, for sealing between pipe 111 and opening 124 when valve 113 and 114 are bolted together. In the preferred embodi-ment sealing disc 130 is adapted with slit 125 so that it may befitted around the length of the pipe 111, and fitted in place.

A rubber base adhesive sealant can be applied between the exterior circumference 127 of aisc 130 to more effectively seal the joints.

'g''7 Disc 130 also provides for annular shoulder 129 which acts as a peripheral sealing connecting surface when the apparatus 110 - is assembled would insert into groove 111 of apparatus 110, further establishing the seal therebetween. A regulator 140, such as a typical regulator valve, will be discussed more fully - hereinafter, is adapted to apparatus 110 at point 112. m e regulator 140 will sense the presence of a leak ~rom thé fitting housed within leak detection apparatus 110 and use the leak to perform a desired instrumentation function, such as shutting off the valve.
~ he encapsulating casing halves 113 and 114 a~ shown can be sealably attached to about any itting such as a cross-joint, for example, which is suspect or subject to leakage as often the case where pipelines carrying corrosive or mechanically abrasive material makiny turns through fittings or otherwise i creating turbulance within the fitting that can cause a leak.
It is, however, with the rigid encapsulating leak detection apparatus 110 to trap leaks from the suspect fitting ; within the assembly casing halves 113 and 114~
A suitable regulator or control valve 140 can be attached to apparatus 110 in a sealable fashion at point 112.
After the sealable attachment of casing halves 113 and 114 with the suspect fitting is accomplished, leaks occurring from the fitting can then be collected within the rigid casing 110 and there accumulation producing an increase in pressure and increase in volume which could then activate the regulator or control valve 1~0. It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the present invention can be used in a plurality of fittings as are known in the pipeline and the oil and gas art. For 30 example, the present invention can be used with L-bolts, T's~
valves, crosses and like fittings. The present invention provides a leak detection apparatus which provides a rigid bladder casing 110 which can be reasonably fixed about any fitting within a conventional pipe system, which fittings it is subject to be damaged by mechanical or chemical erosion and subsequent leakaye.
`; In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention 110, ring disc 130 would be inserted into the space between pipeline sections llla through llld and openings 124 to form a sealable connection between pipeline - sections llla -through llld and rigid bladder casing 11OA
The detailed construction of bladder casing in its bladder halves 113 and 114 is best seen by viewing Figure 6.
As before mentioned~ rigid bladder casing 110 is comprised of a pair of casing halves 113 and 114. Each casing half 113 and 114 is comprised of a eurved bladder casing wall 115 having in the preferred embodiment ~our sets of arcuate side ribs 117 which form openings 124 when casing halves 113 and 114 are assembled eorresponding upper and lower side ribs 117 registering and abutting to forrn the desired circular openings 124.
Each casing half 113 and 114 is further comprised of a plurality of sealing flanges 116 which are generally rectangular and flat, and provide a means for assembling casing halves 113 and 114 together in a sealable fashion about a suspect fitting where corrosion and leakage may appear. Each flange 116 provides an inner sealing surface 128 as can be seen in Figure 6. Further provlded on each sealing flange or openings -- 118 through which connectors such as bolts 120 can be passed so that a sealed bolted connection, for example, can be provided using bolts 1~0 and nuts 121. It should be understood that other suitable means of clamping, adhesion materials, welding ? gluing or the like could be used to complete a sealab:Le connection of casing halves 113 and 114 together. In Figure 6 in the preferred ernbodiment, a bolt 120 ~ld nut 121 is shown as a connection ~or i7 allowing removal of the entire leak detection apparatus 110 as desired with minimal time and labor involved.

Claims (22)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for detecting leaks in suspect piping fittings comprising:
a. a removable enclosure for encapsulating a suspect piping fitting where leakage may occur, b. the enclosure forming a space adjacent the fitting for collecting leaking fluid from the fitting within the enclosure, c. fluid responsive relay means connected with the space for transmitting a signal generated in response to a pressure increase within the enclosure caused by the leaking fluid, and d. means for translating the signal into a responsive operation.

2. The leak detection apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is comprised of a pair of connectable casing members.

3. The leak detection apparatus of claim 2, wherein said enclosure is comprised of a pair of connectable casing halves, each of said halves providing corresponding registered sealing surfaces which substantially mate and seal when said casing halves are connected to one another.

4. The leak detection apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of said casing halves is comprised of:
a. a rigid casing half body;

b. at least one arcuate opening formed on a portion of said casing half body, c. a peripheral sealing connecting surface, the respective sealing surface of each casing half body registering and mating to form a sealed connection when said casing halves are assembled.

5. A method of detecting leaks in suspect piping system fittings, the steps comprising:
a. identifying a fitting which is suspect of eventual leakage, b. encapsulating the suspect fitting with an enclosure to collect the leak, the enclosure forming a defined space adjacent the fitting, c. collecting leaking fluid within the enclosure, d. generating a signal in response to a pressure increase in the space caused by fluid leaking from the fitting, and e. transmitting the signal to a means for translating the signal into a responsive operation.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein in steps "d" and "e", the responsive operation is the step of operating a valve in the piping system to halt the flow of fluid within the piping system responsive to the occurrence of the leak and the actuation of a pneumatic relay with the leaking fluid.

7. An apparatus for detecting leaks in suspect piping system fittings, comprising:
a. non-rigid bladder means for sealable encapsulating a suspect fitting portion of a piping system where leaks may occur, b. means for sealably attaching said non-rigid bladder means to the suspect fitting, and c. valve closure means responsive to the occurrence of a leak in the suspect fitting and collected by said bladder means for halting the flow of fluid within the piping system to which said bladder means is attached.

8. The leak detection apparatus of claim 7, wherein said bladder means is portable, being attachable to an exist-ing suspect piping fitting during operation.

9. The leak detection apparatus of claim 7, wherein said bladder means is a pliable bladder jacket.

10. The leak detection apparatus of claim 7, wherein said valve closure means comprises:
i. a valve in the piping system for controlling flow therethrough, said valve movable from a first "open" to a second "closed" position.

ii. fluid responsive relay means connected with the bladder means for transmitting a signal generated in response to a pressure increase within the enclosure caused by leaking fluid.

11. An apparatus for detecting leaks in suspect piping fittings comprising:
a. enclosure means for sealably encapsulating a suspect piping fitting where leaks may occur' b. clamp means attachable about said enclosure means for sealably attaching said enclosure means to a suspect piping fitting, leaks occurring in the piping fitting being at least initially collected within said enclosure means, c. regulator means connected with said enclosure means for transmitting a signal generated in response to a pressure increase within the enclosure means caused by the accumulation of a leak within said enclosure means, d. conduit means for transmitting leaks collected by said enclosure means to said regulator means, e. valve means for controlling flow within the piping system to which said enclosure means is attached, said valve means being operated at least in part by said signal of said means from a first "open flow" position to a second "closed flow" position, the transmittal of a leak occurring in the suspect piping fitting through said conduit means and to said regulator means causing said regulator means to operate said valve means from said first "open flow" position to said second "closed flow" position halting flow in the piping system.

12. The leak detection apparatus of claim 11, wherein said bladder means is a portable bladder jacket attachable to an existing piping system during operation while fluids are flowing through the piping system.

13. The leak detection apparatus of claim 11, wherein said clamp means is at least one pipe clamp.

14. The leak detection apparatus of claim 11, wherein said conduit means is an instrumentation conduit line connect-ing said enclosure means and said regulator means.

15. The leak detection apparatus of claim 11, wherein said valve means is a control valve mounted in the piping system to which said bladder means is attached.

16. A leak detection and shutoff apparatus for oil and gas wells comprising:
a. oil and gas well wing valve means for controlling flow of oil and gas at least in part from the oil and gas well;
b. enclosure means for sealably encapsulating a suspect fitting portion of an oil and gas well;
c. attachment means for sealably attaching said enclosure means to the suspect fitting, gas leaks occurring in the suspect fitting being collected within said enclosure means, and d. instrumentation means connecting said enclosure means and said wing valve means of said oil and gas well for closing said wing valve means, said instrumentation means closing said wing valve means responsive to the occurrence of a leak in the suspect fitting, the leak collected by said enclosure means.

17. The oil and gas well leak detection and shutoff apparatus of claim 16, wherein the suspect fitting encapsulated by said enclosure means is an oil and gas well choke jacket.

18. The oil and gas well leak detection and shutoff apparatus of claim 16, wherein said instrumentation means is a regulator, said regulator being capable of operating the wing valve from a first "open" to a second "closed" position responsive to the occurrence of a leak in the suspect fitting collected by said enclosure means.

19. The oil and gas well leak and detection and shutoff apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a conduit connecting said enclosure means and said regulator, leaks collected by said enclosure means being transmitted through said conduit to said regulator.

20. The oil and gas well leak detection and shutoff apparatus of claim 16 wherein said attachment means is at least one pipe clamp sealably clamping said enclosure means to the suspect piping fitting.

21. A leak detection and shutoff apparatus for oil and gas wells comprising:
a. bladder means for encapsulating a suspect fitting portion of an oil or gas well where leaks may occur, b. attachment means for sealably affixing said bladder means to the suspect fitting, said bladder means then collecting leaks occurring within the suspect fitting, c. valve means on said oil or gas well for controlling the flow of oil and gas from said oil or gas well, said valve means being operable from a first "open flow° position to a second "closed flow" position, d. regulator means connected with said bladder means for operating said valve means from said "open flow" position to said "closed flow" position, e. conduit means for transmitting leaks collected within said bladder means to said regulator means, f. instrumentation line connecting said valve means and said regulator means, the accumulation of a leak in the suspect fitting by said bladder means and transmitted to said regulator means through said conduit means effecting in said regulator means an operation of said valve means from said first "open flow" position to said second "closed flow" position.

22. The oil and gas well leak detection and shutoff apparatus of 21, wherein the suspect fitting is an oil and gas well choke jacket, and said valve means is an oil and gas well wing valve.