Abstract: When the pipeline leak monitoring technology is actually applied to the production, it is hard to evaluate the comprehensive performance of pipeline leak monitoring systems, for there are no complete and consistent performance evaluation indices and characterization methods. Based on the performance criteria of pipeline leak detection system proposed in API 1155 "Evaluation Methodology for Software based Leak Detection Systems", the consistent performance evaluation indices and characterization methods for pipeline leak monitoring systems were developed according to production and operation management requirements. And then, the meanings of the performance evaluation indices and their correlation were analyzed in detail by using the negative pressure wave based pipeline leak monitoring technology. The consistent performance evaluation indices and characterization methods established in this paper provide effective guidance for the comprehensive performance evaluation of pipeline leak monitoring systems.