In order to ensure the safe storage and transportation of natural gas, the characteristics of pipeline transportation and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) ship containment system and the main corresponding leak detection methods are analyzed, and the applicability and limitations of each leak detection method is sorted out. In the natural gas pipeline transportation, the hardware detection method can obtain more accurate location information, but the equipment factors restrict the feasibility of detection means. The software detection method can reduce the detection implementation difficulty, but the accurate leak location requires the accurate acquisition of system variables. In the leak detection of LNG ship containment system, the huge engineering amount determines the huge investment of detection cost, the combination mode of rough inspection and fine inspection with quantification and positioning can optimize the resources utilization.