Aramco Custody Transfer PDF

Technical Proceedings-
Presentations
TH
6 CUSTODY MEASUREMENT
TECHNICAL EXCHANGE MEETING
(CMTEM 2011)
November 21-23, 2011

Dammam Office Building
Saudi Aramco
Maintain Measurement Accuracy
from Design to Operation
Authors:
Peter Jakubenas – Installed Product Services Manager, FMC Technologies
Bryan Partridge – After Market Manager, FMC Technologies
Jeffery MacKenzie – Global Aftermarket Manager, FMC Technologies
Presented by:
Peter Sims – Business Development Manager FMC Technologies
APPLICATIONS
• PIPELINE TERMINALS
• EXPORT TERMINALS
• IMPORT TERMINALS
• FLOATING PRODUCTION STORAGE VESSELS -
FPSO AND FSO
CUSTODY TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
• BUYERS
• SELLERS
• CUSTOMS
• GOVERNMENT
• SHIPPERS
FISCALIZATION ACCURACY
• QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT
• QUALITATIVE MEASUREMENT
• TRACEABILITY TO RECOGNIZED STANDARDS
• We are seeking the truth!

QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT
• METERS
• PROVERS
• FLOW COMPUTERS
• CONTROL SYSTEMS
QUALITATIVE MEASUREMENT
• DENSITY OR GRAVITY
• TEMPERATURE
• PRESSURE
• VISCOSITY
• SAMPLING
• BS & W
DESIGN OBJECTIVES
• ACCURACY- HIGH CERTAINTY- LOW

UNCERTAINTY- BOTH INITIAL AND ONGOING
• SAFETY
• RELIABILITY
• OPERATOR EASE
• LOW ONGOING OPERATING COSTS
• LOW CALIBRATION COSTS
• LOW MAINTENANCE COSTS
• VALUE
SYSTEMS APPROACH
• ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE
• PROPERLY SELECTED COMPONENTS TO ACHIEVE
LOW UNCERTAINTY
• TURNKEY CONTRACT
• EXPERIENCED
• SUPPLER WITH PRODUCT LINE KNOW HOW AND
COMMITMENT
• SUPPLIER WITH ONGOING SUPPORT SERVICES
HISTORY
WHAT ACCURACY CAN BE
ACHIEVED?
• METERING +/- O.1 %

TO +/- 0.25%
OVERALL
• TANK GUAGING +/-
0.7% UNDER BEST OF
CONDITIONS
COST OF UNCERTAINTY
• ASSUME 10,000 BBL PER HOUR @ $100 per
BBL (10” Pipeline)
• ASSUME 0.5 % UNCERTAINTY BETTER THAN
TANK GUAGING- $0.50 per BBL
• $120,000 AT RISK PER DAY
• $3,600,000 AT RISK PER MONTH
• $43 MILLION AT RISK PER YEAR
UNCERTAINTY- RISK
• Under Registration
– Deprives the seller of entitled revenue
• Over Registration
– Customer complaints and loss of good will
– Possible retroactive rebates
– Potential lawsuits
• We are seeking the truth (CERTAINTY) in
measurement
• Uncertainty is RISK associated with the
transaction
TYPICAL SYSTEM P&ID
•
DESIGN FOR LOWEST TOTAL
OWNERSHIP COST
TOTAL COST FOR ASSET OVER LIFE =

INITIAL COST
+ Y x YEARLY ENERGY COST TO OPERATE
+ Y x YEARLY OPERATOR LABOR COST
+ Y x YEARLY CALIBRATION LABOR COST
+ Y x YEARLY MAINTENANCE LABOR AND
MATERIALS COSTS
Where Y represents life of project, typically 20

years.
OPERATING ENERGY COST
CONSIDERATIONS
• PUMPING COSTS DUE TO PRESSURE DROP
• PRESSURE DROP DUE TO
– HEADER SIZE AND DESIGN
– STRAINER DESIGN (EXCEPT FOR ULTRASONIC METER SYSTEMS)
– METER TECHNOLOGY SELECTED
o ULTRASONIC
o POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT
o HELICAL TURBINE
o CONVENTIONAL TURBINE
o CORIOLIS
– SAMPLER MIXING METHOD

o JET MIXER- PUMP REQUIRES ENERGY
o STATIC MIXER
– BLOCK VALVE SIZING

– CONTROL VALVE SIZING
METER SELECTION -
• FLOW RATE
• VISCOSITY
• METER RUN QTY. VS SIZE
METER SELECTION RULE OF
THUMB BASED ON FLOW RATE
AND VISCOSITY
QUALITY SKID
• LINE EXTRACTION DEVICES
• SLIP STREAM PUMPS
• DENSITOMETER(S)
• VISCOMETER(S)
• FLOW METER AND CONTROL VALVE IN LOOP
• BS & W MONITOR
• SAMPLER
SKID AUTOMATION
• MOTOR OPERATED VALVES

• REMOTE READOUT EQUIPMENT
– METER TRANSMITTERS
– TEMPERATURE
– PRESSURE
• CONTROL ROOM OR SKID MOUNTED FLOW
COMPUTER I/O
CONTROL ROOM INSTRUMENTS-
FOR OPERATOR EASE
• FLOW COMPUTERS
• GRAPHIC PANELS FOR BACKUP
• REDUNDANT CONFIGURATIONS
• PLC FOR VALVE INTERLOCK
CONTROL ROOM INSTRUMENTS
• SUPERVISORY COMPUTERS
– CONTROL
– DATA COLLECTION
– AUTOMATED PROVING
– EXTENSIVE REPORTING AND ARCHIVING
– SOPHISTICATED MAN MACHINE INTERFACES
– COMMUNICATION INTERFACES
– METER AND PROVER DIAGNOSTICS
TYPICAL HMI SCREEN
TYPICAL CRT SCREEN
Meter Performance Analysis
Software
MAINTENANCE and CALIBRATION
ISSUES
• PROPER MATERIALS AND COATINGS TO BATTLE

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CORROSION
• EASE OF ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT ROUTINELY
CALIBRATED OR SERVICED
• SET UP MAINTENANCE INTERVALS BASED ON
EXPERIENCE AND OBSERVED STABILITY OF
EQUIPMENT
• INSTALL REDUNDANT EQUIPMENT AND DO
CONDITION BASED MAINTENANCE
• TRACK ALL MAINTENANCE
Case Study - Metering
•
Maintenance Contract Overview
Start Date: 1 October 2004
st
• Duration: 5 years plus 5 x 1

year options
• Original Scope
– UK (1 onshore plant, 16
offshore platforms, 68,000
man hours)
– NL (157 onshore sites, 22
offshore platforms, 38,000
man hours)
– NO (1 onshore site, 1 offshore
platform, 11,000 man hours)
26
Contract Framework
Program Management
Administration Planning and Operations Consultancy and Engineering
• Client reputation protection

• Compliance Delivery • Technical measurement support
• Work control systems • Mismeasurements
• Purchasing
• Breakdown response • Audit support
• Work registration
• Scheduling and planning • Management of audit actions
• Invoicing
• Work Preparation • Calibration verifications
• Payment problems resolution
• 1st technical line support • Metering philosophy development
• Subcontract management
• SAP Improvements • Procedure writing
• Monthly commercial reporting
• Field Execution • Calibration sheet design
• Monthly forecasting
• Test equipment management • Engineering design review
• Spares management • PMA Collaboration
• Monthly operational reporting • Project support
• QA
27
Contract Personnel
• Total of 65 people:
Program Management (1)
Administration (6) Planning and Operations (44) Consultancy and Engineering (14)
UK UK UK
• 1 Contract Manager (50%)1 • 3 Planning Engineers1 • 1 Senior Consultant1
• 3 Administrators1 • 22 Metering Technicians1 • 6 Metering Engineers1
NL NL NL
• 2 Administrators • 3 Planning Engineers • 1 Senior Consultant
• 1 Financial controller (20%) • 12 Metering Technicians2 • 4 Metering Engineers
NO NO NO
• 1 Administrator (10%) • 3 Metering Technicians • 1 Senior Consultant
• 1 Analyser Specialist3 • 1 Metering Engineer
28
Equipment Supported
SCOPE OF EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED
• FLOW COMPUTERS:
– S500’S, S600’S, MICRO 5000’S, OMNI, SOLARTRON 7915, 7951, 7925, 7922, 7955,
869M,INTROMET FC500, FC2000, NETOIL, DANIELS S103, PROMAC, CONTREC
• PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DEVICES:

– MAGFLOWS, MULITPHASE METERS, TURBINE METERS, ULTRASONIC METERS, ORIFICE
METERS, V-CONE METERS, ANNUBARS, CORIOLIS METERS, POSITIVE
DISPLACEMENT METERS, DP AND PT TRANSMITTERS, TEMPERATURE
TRANSMITTERS, 3095 MV, GAS AND OIL DENSITY TRANSDUCERS
– MICROMETER, YOKOGAWA, SOLARTRON, FOXBORO, E+H, ABB, KROHNE, ROXAR,
FRAMO, FAURE HERMAN, BROOKS, DANIELS, ROSEMEOUNT, PECO, HECO, FMC,
MICRO MOTION
– 1”, 2”, 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”.
Equipment Supported
SCOPE OF EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED
• ANALYSERS:
– OIPW ANALYSERS, WIO ANALYSERS, RD ANALYSERS, PYCNOMETERS, CHROMATS,
DEW POINT ANALYSERS, H2S ANALYSERS
– ROXAR, DANIELS, SOLARTRON, E+H, SIEMENS, MICHELL, AMETEK, ABB, HOBRE
• PROVERS AND MASTER METERS (10” – 36”):

– 12 SITES
• SAMPLING SYSTEMS:
– WELKER, JISKOOT
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT:
KPI’s
• HSE
• Behavioural
• Performance
• Innovations
• Savings
31
CONTRACT BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS
32
CONTRACT BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS
33
CONTRACT BENEFITS
• Complete bespoke management system and infrastructure

developed and implemented:
– Operational infrastructure
– Operating systems and procedures
– Planning and scheduling tools
– Work instructions
– Calibration sheets
– Mismeasurement management
– Audit Management
34
CONCLUSIONS
• Ongoing costs of operation and

maintenance of petroleum custody
transfer measurement systems over a 20
year project life can predominate over
initial equipment investment.
• It is important to design the equipment for
low ongoing costs. Initial cost may be
higher to do this.
• Sophisticated diagnostic systems and
equipment can reduce ongoing costs; for
example condition based maintenance.
CONCLUSIONS
• Operation and maintenance of these

systems requires specialists trained on the
large variety of components comprising
the systems with oversight by engineers.
• Systematic scheduling of preventive
maintenance and corrective maintenance
can lead to lower maintenance costs.
• A sophisticated reporting system enables
greater transparency of total costs and
facilitates decisions to optimize costs.
CUSTODY MEASUREMENT
STANDARDS GLOBALIZATION
INITIATIVE
KHALID A. AL-FADHL
Chairman, Custody Measurement Standards Committee
Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)
CUSTODY MEASUREMENT STANDARDS GLOBALIZATION INITIATIVE
_______________________________________________________________
Outlines:
1. Introduction
2. What is Standards Globalization?
3. Benefits of Globalization
4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure
5. Globalization Approach and Strategy
6. Custody Measurement Standards Globalization
Initiative
7. Challenges
8. Conclusions
9. Recommendations
Slide # 1
_______________________________________________________________
1. Introduction
Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards are at the

center of engineering intellectual know-how and
serve as the safety net for building safe, reliable
and cost effective facilities.
Are the standards aligned with International

Standards?
Are they the main reason behind the
exponentially increasing capital projects cost?
or, they need optimization?
Slide # 2
_______________________________________________________________
Globalization is a process to enhance the

alignment Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards
with the international or Industry standards.
A result of Benchmarking Exercise conducted in

2007 against regional and International oil
companies and standards organizations such as
GSO, OGP and ISO.
Slide # 3
_______________________________________________________________
2. What is Standards Globalization? (Cont’ed)
Exercise showed that Saudi Aramco is in the

leading edge in terms of engineering standards
management practices and systems
Chairmen and Subject Matter Experts are required

to revisit the requirements that do not add value
to the design.
Participate in the activities of the international

standards organizations to inject the Saudi Aramco
mandatory requirement to these organizations
Slide # 4
_______________________________________________________________
Slide # 5
_______________________________________________________________
• Eliminate special requirements that may
increase project costs
Slide # 5
_______________________________________________________________
• Increase the number of potential suppliers of
material
Slide # 5
_______________________________________________________________
material
• Reduce manpower required to maintain
company standards
Slide # 5
_______________________________________________________________
material
company standards
• Help build local industry around international
standards to better compete in the global
market
Slide # 5
_______________________________________________________________
material
company standards
• Help build local industry around international
standards to better compete in the global
market
• Develop cost estimates more economically.
Slide # 5
_______________________________________________________________
Board of Engineers chaired by Engineering

Services Chief Engineer bears the responsibility
of the Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards and
Specifications
Slide # 6
_______________________________________________________________
Slide # 7
_______________________________________________________________
More than 2300 standards; from which, more

than 1200 are considered mandatory.
Slide # 7
_______________________________________________________________

37 standards committees with members of more

than 500 people from 17 different organizations
Slide # 7
_______________________________________________________________

37 standards committees with members of more

than 500 people from 17 different organizations
Corporate management systems have been

established to manage the review and approval
process of the engineering standards
Slide # 7
_______________________________________________________________
Corporate management systems have been

established to manage the review and approval
process of the engineering standards.
Slide # 8
_______________________________________________________________
Standard Review Model
Slide # 9
_______________________________________________________________
Slide # 10
_______________________________________________________________
• Developing a snapshot of the current state of

Saudi Aramco standards and conducting Gap
Analysis by Saudi Aramco Subject Matter
Experts each in his discipline.
Slide # 10
_______________________________________________________________

• Performing Value Engineering studies for the

engineering standards.
Slide # 10
_______________________________________________________________

• Performing Value Engineering studies for the

engineering standards.
• Participating in International Standards

Development
Slide # 10
_______________________________________________________________
Slide # 11
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:
A. Custody Measurement Engineering Documents:
4 SAEPs (Engineering Procedures)

5 SAESs (Engineering Standards
14 SAMSSs (Material System Specifications)
In addition to Standards Drawings, ISSs, &

Inspection Forms
Slide # 12
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:
B. Development and Revision Process of Custody

Measurement Engineering documents
Slide # 13
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:
B. Development and Revision Process of Custody

Measurement Engineering documents
C. Gap Analysis
• Exception Format is used to develop
documents that have a reference
international document.
• Normative Format is used to develop
documents that do not have a reference
international document.
Slide # 13
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:
D. Value Engineering Studies:
Three value engineering studies were

performed on most important measurement
documents.
Slide # 14
_______________________________________________________________
No. of VE Estimated
Document No. of VE
Document Title Date Recommend Cost
No. Proposals
-ations Avoidance ($)
SAES-Y-101 Custody Metering of 14 30 7,400,000
Hydrocarbon Gases
5/9-13/2009
SAES-Y-103 Royalty/Custody Metering of 18 33 30,000,000
Hydrocarbon Liquids
34-SAMSS-119 Bi-directional prover 4 19 816,200
34-SAMSS-120 Uni-directional meter prover 4 6 816,200
34-SAMSS-121 Small Volume Prover 8/2-4/2010 2 33 880,000
34-SAMSS-122 Atmospheric Portable Tank 0 9 0

Prover
34-SAMSS-112 Orifice Meter for Gas Custody 1 8 TBD
Measurement
10/4-5/2011
34-SAMSS-114 Ultrasonic Flow Meter for Gas 2 11 TBD
Custody Measurement
Slide # 15
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:
D. Value Engineering Studies:(Cont.’ed)
Two value engineering studies are planned to

be performed
Slide # 16
_______________________________________________________________
Document No. Document Title Date
SAES-Y-501 Dynamic Sampling of Hydrocarbon Liquids for Royalty/Custody

Transfers
34-SAMSS-525 Automatic Sampling Systems for Crude Oil and Refined Products July 2012
34-SAMSS-526 Automatic Sampling Systems for Hydrocarbon Gases
34-SAMSS-841 Flow Computer for Custody Transfer Measurement of

Hydrocarbon Liquids
34-SAMSS-846 Flow Computers for Custody Transfer Measurement of
Hydrocarbon Gases October 2013
34-SAMSS-847 Preset Controller for Truck Loading and Unloading Systems
34-SAMSS-851 Metering Supervisory Computer for Custody Transfer

Measurement of Hydrocarbon Liquids
Slide # 17
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:
E. Participation in the International Standards

Organizations:
 American Petroleum Institute (API) Petroleum

Measurement subcommittees
(COGFM, COMA, COLM & COMQ)
Slide # 18
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:

Organizations:
 American Society for Testing and Materials

(ASTM)
Committee D02 on Petroleum Products and
Lubricants
Slide # 19
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:

Organizations:
• International Organization for Standards

(ISO)
Saudi Standard, Metrology and Quality
Organization (SASO) delegated Saudi Aramco
represented by CMU to review and vote on
the international standards submitted by ISO
TC-28, Petroleum products and lubricants.
Slide # 20
_______________________________________________________________

Initiative:

Organizations:
• American Gas Association (AGA)

CMU participates in AGA activities by
reviewing the reports developed in the field
of gas measurement.
Slide # 21
_______________________________________________________________
7. Challenges:
Slide # 22
_______________________________________________________________
7. Challenges:
a) Implementation process of the initiative differs

from one discipline to another.
Slide # 22
_______________________________________________________________
7. Challenges:

b) Involvement of the Subject Matter Experts in the
increasing day-to-day activities.
Slide # 22
_______________________________________________________________
7. Challenges:

c) Standards Cross Referencing
Slide # 22
_______________________________________________________________
7. Challenges:

c) Standards Cross Referencing
d) Shortages in the local and international subject
matter experts
Slide # 22
_______________________________________________________________
7. Challenges: (Cont’ed)
e) Geographical diversity do not permit attending

International standards organizations working
group meetings
Slide # 23
_______________________________________________________________

group meetings
f) Long time for developing and approving the
reference standard document
Slide # 23
_______________________________________________________________

group meetings
f) Long time for developing and approving the
reference standard document
g) Marketing SA standards requires referring to
international standards not SA document
Slide # 23
_______________________________________________________________
8. Conclusion
• Saudi Aramco, through Globalization Initiative,
made a significant progress in optimizing the
alignment of its technical requirements with the
international standards.
• Some of the Saudi Aramco standards were
adopted by GSO and others were submitted to ISO
for adaptation.
Slide # 24
_______________________________________________________________
9. Recommendations:
All the necessary resources should be allocated to

implement the Globalization Initiative
requirements such as:
• Participation of Subject Matter Experts in the

International Standard Organizations activities.
• Conducting Value Engineering Studies
Slide # 25
_______________________________________________________________
Summary:
1. Introduction
Initiative
7. Challenges
8. Conclusion
9. Recommendations
Questions?
JISKOOTTM QUALITY SYSTEMS
Real-world proving and maintenance of

sampling/quality measurement system
accuracy using international standards
CMTEM – Saudi Aramco - Nov 2011

Jon Moreau – Cameron Measurement Systems - Jiskoot
Mark Jiskoot – Cameron Measurement Systems – Jiskoot
Change in the last 20 years?
1990s 2011
How much has your quality measurement changed?
Real world sampling accuracy - topics
• International losses
• Quantity – v- quality measurement
• Proving the accuracy of quality measurement
systems
• Proving acceptance criteria
• The performance of different system designs
• Effects on density and OWD measurement
• Maintaining system accuracy
EI HMC4 Measurement committee – crude oil losses
Potential ‘quality’ measurement loss > $300m pa @ 0.16%
$500,000,000
$450,000,000
$400,000,000
$350,000,000
$300,000,000
$250,000,000
Losses
$200,000,000
$150,000,000
$100,000,000
$50,000,000
$0
0.000% 0.040% 0.080% 0.120% 0.160% 0.200% 0.240%
Effect of quality measurement on overall accuracy??
Importance of accuracy
• Crude oil cargo - 300,000 m3
1cc sample grabs taken, 10,000 per batch
10 litre sample taken to lab for analysis
1 – 100ml analysed for water - depending on method
• Volume analysed can be 1 in 300 BILLION
1 in 300,000,000,000
Sampling standards
• 34SAMSS – 525
• SAES–Y-501
• ISO 3171
• API 8.2 – called by above
• IP 6.2 & ASTM 4177
(same as API)
• Under the Phoenix agreement

EI and API are being merged and
it will then be balloted to replace
ISO 3171
• Will include refined products!

Water injection proving – the process
Proving results – criteria – ISO/IP
Proving to IP or ISO standard

Complies with API, ISO and IP!!
Proving to the API complies on with API
Remember planned unification of ISO and API
Proving results – some systems fail!!
Independently certified systems – ISO pass
Proving certificates!!!!!
Different sampling system types
Fast loop sampling system CoJetix sampling system

(External mixing needed if required) (Combined mixing and sampling)
In-line (probe based) sampling system

(External mixing needed if required)
Relative accuracy of crude oil sampling systems
1.40%
In line sampling system with poor
mixing
in-line sampling system with compliant
1.20%
mixing
Fast loop sampling system with
compliant mixing
1.00%
EFFECT
0.80%
OF POOR
Accuracy
MIXING
0.60%
ON WATER
CONTENT
MEASUREMENT
0.40%
0.20%
0.00%
Number of water injection tests

Performance of fast loop sampling systems (inc mixing)
Performance of in-line sampling systems (inc mixing)
Density measurement errors
Density measurement – configuration bias
Reducing uncertainty and maintaining accuracy
• Specify, design, install and commission correctly
• Pipeline mixing – LARGEST EFFECT ON ACCURACY

Step 1
• Representative sampling of the batch

Step 2
• Sample handling and mixing

Step 3
• Laboratory analysis process

Step 4
• Prove the system in accordance with standards

Step 5
Collecting a representative batch sample
• Performance Criteria for “Permanent Sampling System
Installations”
– Grab factor
– Performance factor
– Flow sensor accuracy
– Sampling time factor
– Loop velocity (fast loops)
• Fully automated with the control system monitoring and

controlling the sampler – only informing the operator if a
failure occurs
Sample handling and mixing
• Reduce the number of steps - Portable receivers
reduce uncertainty
L2)
Fixed receivers with

mixing in the field create a
“second” L2 step in an
environment outside lab
control
Maintaining system performance
Prove
installed
system by
water
injection
Confirm
Validate and
mixing
ensure
performance
system
– v – design
reliability
parameters Certified
quality
measurement
system
Validate
Validate
handling,
system
laboratory
performance
process
Summary
1.
Design and
specification
8. 2.
Revalidation Installation
and proving and
as required commission
7. Certified 3.
Confirm accuracy Proving in
operating & accordance
envelope
reduced with
same as
standards
design losses
6. 4.
Validation of Batch
sampling certification
and analysis of
process performance
5.
Maintenance
schedule
So what does your quality measurement look like?
1973 – OR - 2011?
Thank You
Questions?
November 2011
BTU Gas Measurements
Challenges & Optimization
Abdulaziz A. Al-Faraj
Saudi Aramco
© Copyright 2011, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved.

Objective
Share with you our experience and challenges

encountered to accurately measure the BTU for
a widely distributed gas network
Outlines
• Background
• Existing Methods
• Challenges
• Optimization Methods
• Conclusion
Background
Ras Al KhairJubail Royal Commission Pressure : 300 – 1000 PSIG
The MasterBerri
GasPower
System
Plant consists of:
Jubail Royal Commission Flow : around 4.2 BSCFD in
the Eastern Province
1-KGP
Major gas plant producers
Temperature : 70 – 150 ᵒF
2- ComplexBerri
pipelines network Wusta BTU: 900 – 1280
Desalination Plant
Berri Junction
3-BGP
Major junction sites Ghazlan Power Plant 1 & 2
Refinery and Fractionation

Ju’aymah Junction
4- Low pressure distribution system
Azizyiah Desalination Plant
5- Metering skids Dammam/Khobar Area
Qatif Junction Dammam Industrial Plants
SGP,UGP,
HGP, HYGP
Importance of Gas Sampling
Flow On-Line
Computer Analyzer
FT High FCV (A)

FT Low PT TT
SAUDI
ARAMCO CUSTOMER
Class-I
Valve Orifice FCV (B)
Metering Skid Classification
• Secondary
≤ 20 MM SCFD
− Small Gas Metering System
− Composite Sampler
• Primary
200 MM SCFD ≥ Primary ≤ 20 MM SCFD
− Medium Gas Metering System Online GC
− or a representative sample from another GC
• Major
> 200 MM SCFD
− Large Gas Metering System
− Independent Online GC required
SAMPLING METHODS
Automatic (Composite) Sampling Online Sampling

LIMITATIONS
• Is Not Based ON Real-time Value

Composite
Sampling
• “The Process” Labor/Time Intensive
• Laboratory Dependent
Online Analyzer
LIMITATIONS
• High Initial Cost
• Need of Highly Skilled Personnel
• Requires Carrier & Calibration Gas

Challenges
Challenges
1- Continuously Improve the Accuracy in Determining the
Value of BTU In Order to Reduce Uncertainty
Challenges
2- Improve Efficiency
Challenges
3- Gas Composition Variations
Challenges
4- Enhance Coordination Efforts Amongst Involved Parties in
Determining the BTU Value
Engineering
Maintenance
Operation
Laboratory
Challenges
5- Match BTU With That of Our Customers to Eliminate
Potential Claims
• Using different standards
• Using different measurement methods
• Involvement of different parties

Challenges
5- Special Maintenance Requirements
• Periodical PM
• Require Special Crew
• Supply Carrier & Calibration of

Gas
• Secure Resources
Optimization Methods
1- Automate Gas Sampling Processes In Order to Reduce
Manual Activities
2- Network Enhancement
Centralized
Location
Gas Composition
BTU
& other Data to BTU
AIT F.C
Costumer A
Update MMBTU at
Local Flow Computer
Costumer A
Sample line
Costumer C
Sales Gas Header Costumer B Costumer D

Update MMBTU for selected flow
computers at the costumers sites
3- Continuously Improve Workforce Skills and
Competencies
4- Improve Existing Policies and Regulations

Conclusion
• Determining the Most Accurate BTU Value is Highly Critical to any
Sales Organizations.
• Gas Sampling Method Selection Shall be Based on Achieving Best

BTU Results
• Online Gas Chromatographs Are in Most Cases More Cost Effective
• Optimization Shall Be Adopted Continuously

Thank You
Custody and Royalty Metering Skids
Operation and Maintenance Challenges
November 21, 2011
Ahmad I. Al-Shaye
Saudi Aramco
NA Pipelines Department
Outline
• System Overview
• Our Customers
• Duties and Responsibilities
• Challenges
• Optimization Methods
• Conclusion
Overview
Saudi Aramco Pipelines Mission
Transport hydrocarbons throughout

the kingdom safely, reliably and in
an environmentally responsible way
Ras Al-Khair
Jubail
Ras Tanura
Dhahran
Our Customers
Sector # Metering Stations Total #
RC Primary 42
Industries
Sales Gas RC Secondary 20
& Ethane Industries 77
(Custody) Electricity &Water 10
Desalination
Others 5
Crude Oil Refineries 2
(Royalty) Petrochemicals 1 3
The Sales Gas Ring
JUBAIL
KAYAN
SECONDARY
INDUSTRIES
CHEMANOL SEPC 20 Customers
HADEED
ALRAZI
NCP SCP SPC SIPCHEM

JUPC
APPC
Sales Gas Ring

WAHA
Zamil EAP Sahra- SAMAD

KEMYA Tasnee FARABI
Sahra- IBN AL
IBN SINA
SHARQ BAYTAR
PETROKEMYA Maaden EDC
SABIC- IBN ZAHR SAFCO

SASREF SADAF SIPCHEM
The Secondary Ring
GULF
SODA GLASS FIBER MODECOR JANA HASAD
GUARD
BILAD
NAJI
Secondary Ring
INDIPCO
HAMRANI UNI COIL
SFCCL ASLAK LATEX ACICO UGSCL
TAYF JESCO EPTECO

The Ethane Ring
NCP SEPC JUPC KAYAN SHARQ
Ethane Ring
SABIC SIPCHEM
PETROKEMYA KEMYA SADAF
(ABS) Integrated
Typical Metering Station
Flow Computer Bldg.
Central
Dispatch
System
FT High FT Low PT TT FCV (A)

Isolation
Valve
SAUDI ARAMCO CUSTOMER
Flow Meter
FCV (B)
Duties and Responsibilities
• General Requirements
• Measurements Operations
• Metering Skids Maintenance
• Customers Issues
• General Requirements
– Operate and Maintain Safely and Reliably
– Conduct Regular Audits
– Revalidate Lateral Lines
– Replace Obsolete Equipment
– Collect Regular Gas/Crude

Oil Samples and Send to
LAB
– Conduct Periodical Proving

on Royalty Crude Oil System
– Enter BTU, API, S&W Values

to Generate Delivery Tickets
– Collecting The Daily Delivery

Tickets on Weekly Basis
– Generate Monthly Gas

Consumption for Billing
• Metering Skids Maintenance
– Instruments Calibrations
– Meter Inspection / Diagnosis
– Checking Flow Calculations
– Perform Software Back up
– Stroking the Main Valve Yearly

• Customers Issues
– Measurement Discrepancies
– Operational Mode changes
– Expansion or Demolition
– New Projects
Challenges
• Continuously Improve Gas Measurement
Accuracy In Order to Reduce Uncertainty
Challenges
“No. of Metering Stations"
90
• Cope with Continuous
Growth 80
70
– Flexibility 60
– Adaptability 50
40
30
2005
2003
2004
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Challenges
• Special Logistics
Requirements
– Scattered and Restricted
Metering Skids
Challenges
• Meeting Company and Customers’ Demands
– Continuously Improve Efficiency of Processes
– Maintain Optimum Accuracy and Reliability
• Deploy Advanced Technologies
• Automate Manual Activities
• Continue to Perform Regular

Audits by Third Party to Raise
Confidence Level
Optimization Tools
• Build up Metering Skills and Competencies
• Enhance Planning and Coordination with

Customers
Summary
• System Overview
• Our Customers
• Duties and Responsibilities
• Challenges
• Potential Improvement Methods
Thank you
Areas for Improvement in
Hydrocarbon Liquid Metering Systems
Dr Mohammed Salim
Saudi Aramco
1
Partnering for results
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex and

more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of
courage - to move in the opposite direction."
Albert Einstein, scientist
2
Presentation overview
• Presenting the simplest view of hydrocarbon liquid metering systems
• Metering system field components
• Metering Control System Architecture
• System components
• Communication
• Intelligence
• Testing
• Training and certification
• Summary
3
Metering system field components
Inlet Outlet
4
5
• Major field problem component
• Impacts measurement!
• Is there no other way?
6
• Automatic integrity test on double block and bleed valves
• Valves limit switches
• Wiring between field and control room
7
• Labor intensive and tedious
• Can we not improve?
8
Metering control system architecture
MSC A MSC B
NETWORK
FC A FC B PLC
9
Metering control system – flow computer
• Is technology simplifying this critical component?
• Are configuration/programming tools making it simple to use?
• Remote I/Os?
• All skid valves for meters it can handle?
10
Metering control system – PLC
• Simple valve control and interlocks
• Failure modes
• How to reduce wiring between field and control room
11
Metering control system – supervisory computer
• Intelligence • Key areas

– Integration
– Redundancy
– Reports
– Alarms
– Documentations
– Testing
– Training & certification
• Major concern • No major problems

Application
Communication
Operating system
12
Metering control system – integration
• Experience in custody transfer measurement process
• Minimum number of software modules to design system
• Standard off-the-shelf SCADA vs in-house packages
• Proprietary vs open source code
13
Metering control system – redundancy
• SCADA off-the-shelf vs programmed
• Data synchronization in redundant systems
• Failure modes and recovery
14
Metering control system – reports
• Reports synchronization in a redundant system
• Archiving for ease of reviewing
• Historical reports archive management
15
Metering control system – alarms
• Improve alarm segregation e.g. system, process and measurement
• Listing all alarms in provided documentation
• system wide acknowledgment
16
Metering control system – documentation
• Documentation should help in removing ‘black box’ concept
• All documentations should be available online on MSC
• One detailed document providing A-Z on re-building system from scratch
17
Metering control system – testing
• Remote I/Os will resolve wiring issues on skid and control panel at FAT
• The FAT documents must demonstrate all design requirements
• All FAT tests should be at maximum design
18
Metering control system – training & certification
• Technician training
• Engineer training
• Do we have certification programs?
19
Metering control system – intelligence
• Reducing data monitoring updates
• Measurement system performance tracking
• Meter history and performance tracking
• Prover history and performance tracking
20
Metering control system – communication
• Failure and recovery modes
• Standard platform for approved SCADA packages
• Intelligent data monitoring
• In-Built redundancy
21
Summary
• Highlighted areas for improvements
- Metering system field components
- Metering control system architecture
- Components
- Communication
- Intelligence
- Testing
- Training and certification
22
Thank you for listening
Any Questions?
23
An Integral Approach To
Custody Transfer Data Management
Han van Dal

Spirit Innovative Technologies
Statement
With respect to Custody Transfer Data the current

generation of Metering Control Systems is
• dumb
• inaccurate
• time-consuming
Contents
• What is Custody Transfer Data?
• What can be improved?
• Mismeasurement management
• Relation to system uncertainty
• Case study
• Conclusions
Custody Transfer Data
API MPMS 21.1 (Gas) & 21.2 (Liquid)

• Quantity Transaction Records
• Configuration Logs
• HW & SW Versions
• Event Logs
• Field Test Reports
• Corrections with their reason
Why?
To verify correctness of data
To allow for correction of failures
Old situation
Custody Transfer Data = Set of printouts

Current situation
Custody Transfer Data = Set of electronic files

What can be improved?
Metering Control Systems are made for:
• Daily operation
… and not for:

• Technicians
• Metering specialists
• Auditors
• Accounting staff
Purpose #1: Correctness of data
• Are all settings correct?

• Any changes in settings, SW or HW?
• Calibrations performed in time?
• Any maintenance applied?
• Have measurement failures occurred?
• Have tickets been corrected?
• If so, how and why?
Purpose #2: Correction of failures
• How big is the error (financial value)?

• Is correction worth the trouble?
• What is the best guess for the failed input?
• How to accurately recalculate the ticket?
• How to convince the Buyer?
What else can be improved?
• Is the overall system accuracy within spec?

• Why wasn’t the frozen value detected earlier?
• How is my meter doing?
• Is any transmitter drifting?
• What’s the density of water in all flowcomps?
Integral CT Data Management
• Relational data (meter tickets & audit trail)

• IT (data storage, cyber-security, integrity)
• Configuration management (FC, EFM)
• Mismeasurement management
– Detection
– Overview
– Correction
Mismeasurement detection
• Flow computer alarms
But also: 1.5
• Flow meter diagnostics 1
• Smart transmitter diagnostics

0.5
• QMI diagnostics -0.5
• On-line data validation

-1
-1.5
• On-line logical checks

• Control Charts
• CUSUM Charts
Mismeasurement overview
CT data trend
Measurement Alarms
Historical Meter
Ticket Overview .. with
Financial
Correction
Measurement Events
Mismeasurement correction
• Best guess for failed input?

• What was the correct setting?
• How to recalculate the ticket?
• How to convince the buyer?
System uncertainty
• Metering equipment
• Proving
• Sampling
• Laboratory analysis
• Flow computers
• Meter ticket recalculation
– API MPMS 12.2
– Proving (Meter factor)
– Sampling (density, BS&W)
• Meter ticket correction

– Equipment failures
– Faulty data entries
– Failed field calibrations
Meter Ticket Recalculation
1. BATCH NUMBER 050511
2. TYPE OF LIQUID NG
3. METER CLOSING READING (DATE/TIME) 05/06/11 00:00
4. METER OPENING READING (DATE/TIME) 05/05/11 00:00
5. NET DELIVERY TIME 24.001 hours
6. METER CLOSING READING 23208593 bbl
7. METER OPENING READING 23167330 bbl
8. INDICATED VOLUME 41263 bbl
9. AVERAGE FLOW RATE 1705.4 bbl/h
10. GROSS VOLUME 41258.87 bbl
11. AVERAGE METER FACTOR 1.0001
12. OBSERVED RELATIVE DENSITY 0.0000 M
13. OBSERVED TEMPERATURE 0.0 °F M
14. RELATIVE DENSITY AT 60°F 0.6646
15. WEIGHTED AVERAGE TEMPERATURE 94.4 °F
16. TEMPERATURE CORRECTION FACTOR (CTLm) 0.9732
17. WEIGHTED AVERAGE PRESSURE 317.6 psig
18. PRESSURE CORRECTION FACTOR (CPLm) 1.0044
19. COMBINED CORRECTION FACTOR (CCFm) 0.9775
20. NET STD VOL AT 60°F & 14.696 psia (0 psig) 40355.30 bbls
21. NET STD VOL AT 15°C & 101.325 kPa (0 kPa (ga)) 6410.843 m3
22. NET WEIGHT 4185.52 long tons
22. NET WEIGHT 4252.70 metric tons
100000 bbl
65 API60
100000 bbl
76 ᵒF
65 API60
75 ᵒF 205 psi
GSV 99120 bbl
195 psi
GSV 99180 bbl
Up to 0.01% difference
at stable conditions
API MPMS 12.2

200000 bbl
65 API60
75.5 ᵒF
200 psi
GSV 198320 bbl
Significant difference
at highly fluctuating
conditions
For example
Flow computer
GSV = 37942 bbl
API MPMS 12.2

GSV = 37978 bbl
Up to 0.10%
1. METER CLOSING READING (DATE/TIME) 05/06/11 00:00
2. METER OPENING READING (DATE/TIME) 05/05/11 00:00
3. NET DELIVERY TIME 24.001 hours
6. METER CLOSING READING 23388.593 MMSCF
7. METER OPENING READING 23167.330 MMSCF
8. TOTAL VOLUME 221.263 MMSCF
11. AVERAGE FLOW RATE 221.012 MMSCFD
12. AVERAGE DIFF PRESSURE 23.12 inch WC
13. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE 113.3 °F
17. AVERAGE STATIC PRESSURE 1317.6 psig
18. AVERAGE DENSITY 6.45 lb/SCF
Inaccurate for
• Gas
• dP flow meters
• q ≈ √(dP x P)  FWA dP is useless
Meter Ticket Correction
• Case : Temperature fails for 35 minutes
• What is the additional uncertainty of the different

correction methods for liquid and gas ?
• Basic conventional correction method
• Optimal conventional correction method

• New API MPMS Ch21 based correction method
* Patent pending *
Correction Liquid Liquid Gas Gas

Turbine Turbine Orifice Orifice
Steady Fluctuating FWA dP TWA √dPxP
Basic correction 0.06% 0.83% 3.22% 0.30%
Optimal correction 0.02% 0.14% 3.22% 0.22%
API 21 based cor. 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Relative to corrected quantity that would have been calculated at 1 sec resolution
Conclusions
• Accurate correction is currently NOT possible for

many applications
• New API 21 method is accurate for all meter
types, liquid and gas
• Automation of Mismeasurement Management
– makes systems smart
– saves time and resources
– avoids disputes with buyer
dumb  smart
inaccurate  accurate
time-consuming  time-saving
Smart, accurate and highly automated
Metering Control Systems
to achieve comprehensive and integral
Custody Transfer Data Management
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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Technical Proceedings-

November 21-23, 2011

• We are seeking the truth!

• ACCURACY- HIGH CERTAINTY- LOW

• METERING +/- O.1 %

TOTAL COST FOR ASSET OVER LIFE =

Where Y represents life of project, typically 20

– SAMPLER MIXING METHOD

– BLOCK VALVE SIZING

• MOTOR OPERATED VALVES

• PROPER MATERIALS AND COATINGS TO BATTLE

• Duration: 5 years plus 5 x 1

Administration Planning and Operations Consultancy and Engineering

• Client reputation protection

Program Management (1)

• PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DEVICES:

• PROVERS AND MASTER METERS (10” – 36”):

• Complete bespoke management system and infrastructure

• Ongoing costs of operation and

• Operation and maintenance of these

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards are at the

Are the standards aligned with International

2. What is Standards Globalization?

Globalization is a process to enhance the

A result of Benchmarking Exercise conducted in

2. What is Standards Globalization? (Cont’ed)

Exercise showed that Saudi Aramco is in the

Chairmen and Subject Matter Experts are required

Participate in the activities of the international

4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure

Board of Engineers chaired by Engineering

4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure

4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure

More than 2300 standards; from which, more

4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure

More than 2300 standards; from which, more

37 standards committees with members of more

4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure

More than 2300 standards; from which, more

37 standards committees with members of more

Corporate management systems have been

4. Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards Structure

Corporate management systems have been

Standard Review Model

5. Globalization Approach and Strategy

5. Globalization Approach and Strategy

• Developing a snapshot of the current state of

5. Globalization Approach and Strategy

• Developing a snapshot of the current state of

• Performing Value Engineering studies for the

5. Globalization Approach and Strategy

• Developing a snapshot of the current state of

• Performing Value Engineering studies for the

• Participating in International Standards

6. Custody Measurement Standards Globalization

A. Custody Measurement Engineering Documents:

4 SAEPs (Engineering Procedures)

In addition to Standards Drawings, ISSs, &

6. Custody Measurement Standards Globalization

B. Development and Revision Process of Custody

6. Custody Measurement Standards Globalization

B. Development and Revision Process of Custody

6. Custody Measurement Standards Globalization