The hydraulics of leakage and intrusion flows through leak openings in pipes is complicated by variations in the leak areas due to changes in pressure. This study presents a theoretical framework for the analysis of both leakage and intrusion flows through real leaks in pipes. A linear area- pressure relationship is assumed. The leakage exponent of a given leak opening is shown to generally not be constant with variations in pressure, and to approach infinity when the leakage number approaches a value of minus one. Significant modelling errors may result if an exponent used in the power equation used beyond its calibration pressure range, or at high exponent values.