Patent ID: 7500489

Claim:
A contained pipeline system comprising: a primary pipeline section surrounded by a secondary pipeline section; a first interstitial space formed between the primary and secondary pipeline sections; a fitting coupled to the secondary pipeline section and for coupling to a secondary pipeline section of another contained pipeline section, said fitting surrounding at least a portion of the primary pipeline section, wherein a second interstitial space is defined between the fitting and said at least a portion of the primary pipeline section; a pressurized fluid reservoir having a volume of pressurized fluid, wherein the first and second interstitial spaces are filled with the fluid and the fluid in the interstitial spaces is maintained at a controlled pressure; a sensor for detecting changes in the volume of fluid in the fluid reservoir; and wherein the fluid in the interstitial spaces has a pressure greater than the pressure of a fluid inside the primary pipeline section, wherein a leak in any of said primary and secondary pipeline sections and said fitting will cause the volume of fluid in the fluid reservoir to decrease.