and above operating pressure the pressure is then monitored for a period of time usually anywhere from 1 to 8 hours to observe any pressure losses associated with leaks or integrity problems water that has been used in the hydrostatic pressure system is taken from hydrostatic pressure system 12 and introduced into a separator 14 prior to introduction into separator 14 the water can be collected and stored in spent water storage tank 13 if desired separator 14 is a density based separation system that is separator 14 separates hydrocarbons from water based on density separator 14 can be a gravity based separation system a centrifuge or a hydrocyclone separator or other similar density based separators hydrocarbons separated from water in separator 14 are introduced into a storage tank 15 for later use or disposal water from separator 14 or the first recovered water is still contaminated with hydrocarbons from the pipeline and is introduced into a mixer 16 where acid 18 and a catalyst 20 can be added and mixed with the first recovered water next the first recovered water is preheated in heat exchanger 22 and then further heated if needed in heater 24 after heating the first recovered water is introduced into conversion vessel 26 which may comprise one or more conversion vessels wherein hydrocarbons are converted or broken down into carbon dioxide and water by reaction with a conversion compound if more than one conversion vessel 26 is used they can operate.