Oilphase

OP 019 SURFACE SAMPLING GUIDELINES

1.0 GENERAL GUIDELINES

1.1 Before sampling commences, the Client's Test Engineer must verbally confirm that separator conditions are
stable and suitable for sampling.

1.2 Chemical injection upstream of the separator must be stopped to avoid sample contamination (delay between
cessation of chemical injection and commencement of sampling must be of sufficient length to ensure the
separator has been purged). If flowing conditions dictate that chemical injection must continue during sampling,
injection rates, injection points and injected chemicals must be recorded on the sample data sheets.

1.3 The well test Service Company's Shift Supervisor must be aware of the sampling operation before sampling
commences.

1.4 Sample datasheets must be completed with the correct data. The Client's Test Engineer should confirm verbally
that the correct information has been used.

1.5 Pressurised samples should be labelled as follows:-

- The box should have a plasticised label attached to the RHS handle.
- The bottle should have a plasticised label attached to the top protector.
- The green status tag should be removed.
- A completed sample datasheet should be placed inside the box in a poly self-seal bag.
- The correct hazard diamo nd labels should be stuck on the top of the box and on the sample bottle.

1.6 Atmospheric samples should be labelled as follows:-

- The container should be marked up with sample details (sample no, sample nature, sample point, well, test
number, date/time, Client, installation) using a paint marker or similar indelible pen.
- A completed self adhesive sample label should be stuck on the container, and if the container has a handle, a
plasticised label should be attached.
- Drums, which are likely to be stored in the open, should have sample and well number scratched on.
- The correct hazard diamond labels should be stuck on the sample container.

The triplication of details is necessary as labels, paint, etc can all come off, rendering the sample unidentifiable
and useless.

1.7 When filling atmospheric containers with crude, leave a 10% space for expansion inside the container. Allow
the sample to de-gas for as long as possible before screwing the lid on, as agitation during shipping causes
evolution of gas which can rupture the container. Do not allow rainwater, spray, etc to contaminate the sample
while it is de-gassing.

1.8 Generally, atmospheric oil samples should be taken in metal containers and atmospheric water samples into
plastic or glass containers. Metal containers should be IATA approved. (UN number on the can).

1.9 Do not use third party gauges for sampling as they may have been used for mercury displacement sampling and
may contaminate the sample (in the case of gas sampling the introduction of mercury will damage the sample
cylinder).

1.10 Separator oil sampling point should be midstream on the oil line, upstream of the meters. The oil level sight
glass should be used only if there are no suitable sampling points on the oil line. The sight glass must be purged
and refilled several times and the check valve set in the "open" position. Avoid emptying the sight glass while
sampling (which allows the sample bottle to fill with gas).

1.11 Separator gas sampling point should be the highest available point on the separator gas outlet line, upstream of
the orifice meter. A sampling point on the underside of the gas outlet line should be avoided however, as liquid
carry over may if present be taken into the gas sample bottle.

1.12 Separator pressurised oil and gas sampling should be carried out at the same time where the samples are to be
used for recombination. This ensures that both samples are taken under the same separator conditions and can be
matched with each other.
 Oilphase
2.0 LIQUID SURFACE SAMPLING using the Oilphase Conventional Bottle

2.1 Place sample bottle in stand (Item 9) using bottle collar (Item 7). Fit top oil manifold (item 5), bottom manifold
(item 4) and connect pump (Item 11) to the bottom manifold bleed valve V4. Open CSB V3, CSB V1 and V4
and pressure up bottle to oil line pressure ie separator pressure. See Figure 1.

2.2 Close V4 and disconnect pump.

2.3 Connect liner (item 3) between top manifold and sampling point valve V1.

2.4 Ensure all valves are closed.

2.5 Pressure up liner by opening valve V1.

2.6 Open V2 and purge liner by opening V3. Purge at least five liner volumes. Close V3.

2.7 Open CSB V2 and gently open CSB V1. Purge 2 to 3 liner volumes across piston in sample bottle through 1/4"
slimline autoclave elbow (Item 6) to CSB V1 port.

2.8 Close CSB V1. Remove 1/4" slimline autoclave elbow and plug CSB V1 port. Proceed to take sample by gently
opening V4 and allowing sample to displace the water/glycol mixture into the measuring cylinder. Record time
for commencing sampling. Observe sight glass level to avoid drawing gas into the sample bottle.

2.9 Maintain separator pressure on bottom manifold gauge at all times and to avoid sample "flash". Use V4 to
control water/glycol displacement and bottle pressure.

2.10 After displacement of 600 cc of water/glycol V4 should be closed followed by CSB V2. Check that CSB V1 and
V4 are closed, CSB V3 is open.

2.11 Open V4 and remove a further 60 cc of water/glycol to create a 10% gas cap for shipping. CAUTION: Care
should be taken not to allow the piston to bottom out as it will become unbalanced.

2.12 Record the final pressure, the ambient temperature and the end time of sampling. Close CSB V3 and open V4 to
bleed bottom manifold. Close V1, open V3 and bleed down liner pressure.

2.13 Disconnect the liner and both manifolds. Plug CSB V1, CSB V2 and CSB V3 ports. Check bottle for leaks,
label the bottle and box and complete a surface sample datasheet. When the sampling report is printed, print an
additional copy of the datasheets to accompany the sample.
 Oilphase
Figure 1. Liquid Surface Sampling using the Conventional Sample Bottle (CSB)

Index

Item Description Reference Qty

1
1 /2 " NPT (m) x 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter QR 900 1
1
2 /4 " NPT (m) x 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter QR 899 1
3 100K 1 /4 " JIC synflex liner (8 ft) QR 989 2
4 Oil manifold (bottom) AR 886 1
5 Oil manifold (top) AR 887 1
1
6 /4 " SL autoclave 90 purge nipple AR 892 1
7 Sample bottle collar QR 501 1
8 19 mm box spanner AT 157 1
9 Bottle stand QR 893 1
10 Test gauge (1,500 psig) QR 904 1
11 Enerpac hand pump QT 113 1
12 Measuring cylinder (1 Litre) QT 143 1
13 Conventional sample bottle (CSB) PR 767 1
 Oilphase
3.0 LIQUID SURFACE SAMPLING using the Oilphase Single-phase Sample Bottle

3.1 Check Sample Bottle Status Form (F-153) Under normal circumstances bottle will be shipped full of 50/50
glycol/water mix.

3.2 Place sample bottle in stand. See Figure 2.

Figure 2. Monophasic Liquid Surface Sampling using the Single-phase Sample Bottle (SSB)

Item Description Reference Qty

1
1 /2 " NPT (m) x 1 /4 " SL Autoclave (m) adapter QR 906 1
1
2 /4 " NPT (m) x 1 /4 " SL Autoclave (m) adapter QR 526 1
3 10K 1 /4 " JIC synflex liner (8 ft) QR 898 1
4 Oil manifold (bottom) AR 888 1
5 Oil manifold (top) AR 889 1
1
6 /4 " SL autoclave 90 purge nipple AR 892 1
7 Sample bottle collar QR 501 2
8 19 mm box spanner AT 157 2
9 Bottle stand QR 893 2
10 Test gauge (10,000 psig) QR 902 1
11 Air operated glycol/water pump N/A 1
12 Measuring cylinder (1 Litre) QT 143 1
13 Conventional sample bottle (CSB) PR 767 1
14 Single-phase sample bottle (SSB) PR 768 1
1
15 /4 " SL autoclave polyflex liner 8 ft QR 897 3
1
16 /4 " SL Autoclave (m) x 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter QR 131 4
1
17 /4 " SL autoclave (m) x 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter AR 901 1
18 OFN regulator c/w 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter QT 138 1
19 OFN bottle spanner QT 174 1
 Oilphase
3.3 Fit upper Item 5 and lower item 4 manifolds. Note Sample bottle valves are operated using 19 mm box spanner.
(Item 8).

3.4 Connect glycol/water pump to the lower manifold bleed valve V4. Flush manifold with glycol/water prior to
tightening connection to bottle.

3.5 Open V4, SSB V3, SSB V1 and pressure up lower manifold and below bottle piston to wellhead pressure.

3.6 Close V4 and remove pump.

3.7 Connect liner (Item 15) between upper manifold and sampling point V1.

3.8 Ensure all valves are closed (except for SSB V3).

3.9 Pressure up liner by opening valve on sampling point V1.

3.10 Purge line through bleed valve V3, then open SSB V2 and purge across sample bottle piston by opening SSB
V1.

3.11 Close SSB V1. Note: If oil is extremely viscous glycol/water pressure below piston may have to be reduced in
order to allow flow across the top of the piston.

3.12 Proceed to take sample by gently opening lower bleed valve and allowing sample to displace water into
measuring cylinder.

3.13 Maintain wellhead pressure on gauge at all times to avoid sample "flash" using V4 to control pressure and water
flow.

3.14 A 600 cc sample should be taken then V4 should be closed, followed by SSB V2.

3.15 Bleed off line between upper manifold and sample point, disconnect liner.

3.16 Connect regulated oxygen free nitrogen (OFN) supply to valve CSB V1.

3.17 Connect glycol/water pump to valve CSB V3.

3.18 Connect OFN liner (Item 15) between CSB V2 and SSB V4 (port marked N).

3.19 Purge OFN line by opening valves CSB V1, CSB V2, SSB V4 and loosening liner connection at SSB V4.
Tighten liner connection to SSB V4.

3.20 Regulate OFN supply to 200 psig and fill booster bottle slowly by opening valve CSB V3 and glycol/water
pump bleed valve.

3.21 Increase OFN pressure to maximum bottle pressure (max pressure of full cylinder is 2,000 - 3,000 psig).

3.22 Close CSB V1. Bleed OFN and rig down liner.

3.23 Ensure valve SSB V4 is open, boost OFN pressure using glycol/water pump to sample pressure.

3.24 Using glycol/water pump regulator set at least 500 psi above sample pressure, slowly open valve V4 and remove
a further 60 cc of glycol/water in order to create a nitrogen gas cap for shipping.

3.25 Close all sample bottle valves, bleed off pressure in manifolds prior to removing. Plug all valves.

3.26 Label the sample bottle and box, and complete a sample datasheet. A copy of the datasheet must accompany the
bottle.
 Oilphase
4.0 GAS SAMPLING

4.1 Check bottle has been evacuated to less than 1.0 mbar or less than 10 mmHg.

4.2 Connect gas manifold (Item 4) to top valve on bottle, GSB V1 with suitable test gauge (separator pressure >33%,
<75% of full scale.)

4.3 Connect liner (Item 3) to V1 on separator gas sampling point and to V2 on gas manifold. See Figure 3.

Figure 3

Item Description Reference Qty

1
1 /2 " NPT (m) x 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter QR 900 1
1
2 /4 " NPT (m) x 1 /4 " JIC (m) adapter QR 899 1
3 10K 1 /4 " JIC synflex liner (8 ft) QR 898 2
4 Gas sampling manifold AR 890 1
5 Secondary gas sampling manifold AR 891 1
6 Test gauge (1,500 psig) QR 904 1
1
7 /4 " NPT (m) x Gerzat adapter AR 706 1
1
8 /4 " JIC (m) x Gerzat adapter AR 894 1
9 Gerzat PTFE bush QT 705 1
10 20 litre Luxfer gas sample bottle 1
11 20 litre Gerzat gas sample bottle 1
 Oilphase
4.4 Check V1 and GSB V1 are closed . Open V2 and V3. Open V1 and purge at least five liner volumes of gas
through the gas manifold.

4.5 Close V3. The gas manifold gauge should now read separator pressure.

4.6 Crack open bottle valve GSB V1, avoiding pressure drop on gauge. Record time for commencing sampling.

4.7 Set GSB V1 so gas is bleeding as slowly as possible into bottle (this can be heard through bottle wall).

4.8 Sampling time for 20 litre cylinder should be 20-30 mins - periodically check bottle is filling by cycling GSB V1
again avoiding pressure drops on gauge.

4.9 When bottle is full close valves V2 and GSB V1.

4.10 Reduce gas manifold pressure by carefully opening and closing valve V3. (Drop pressure by minimum
registerable on test gauge).

4.11 Open cylinder GSB V1 and confirm gas manifold gauge pressure rises to original sampling pressure. (This
confirms cylinder is full of gas and did not plug during sampling).

4.12 Open V2 to restore separator pressure to bottle.

4.13 Close GSB V1. Record the final pressure, ambient temperature and the time for the completion of sampling.

4.14 Close V1, open V3 and bleed down liner and gas manifold pressure.

4.15 Disconnect the liner and gas manifold. Plug GSB V1 and GSB V2 and attach red FULL tags to GSB V1 and
GSB V2 valve bodies.

4.16 Check bottle for leaks, label the bottle and box (refer to step 1.4) and complete a surface sample datasheet.
When the sampling report is printed, print an additional copy of the datasheet to accompany the sample.

4.17 It is not advisable to install a test gauge on bottle valve GSB V2 to monitor pressure, as condensate which forms
in the bottle during sampling will be lost when the gauge is removed, thus changing the sample composition.

4.18 If multiple gas samples are to be collected simultaneously connect second liner (Item 3) from manifold valve V3
to secondary manifold valve (Item 5) valve V4 and continue from Step 4.3.

5.0 PRODUCED WATER SAMPLING (For general chemical analysis, not for dissolved organics)

5.1 Use new, clean glass or polyethylene bottles, one litre is preferable. The caps should have a plastic not paper or
foil liners.

5.2 Collect the sample using a small tube or hose inserted into the bottle to the bottom. Let the water overflow the
bottle for a half bottle volume. The idea of the tube is to minimise aeration. Once the bottle is full, dump a little
(50 ml) out to allow for expansion.

5.3 If possible, measure and record the pH and temperature of the sample.

5.4 Seal the bottle, check for leaks, label the bottle (refer to step 1.6) and complete a Surface Sampling Data Sheet.

5.5 Collect a second sample of the same water in a new bottle using the technique described above. Add 5 ml of
10% HNO3 (nitric acid) to the bottle. NOTE: HCl can be used but the added Cl can confuse analysis. This will
prevent iron and calcium from precipitating as the samples cool and oxidise. The second sample is not critical,
but very useful when it comes time to look at corrosion.

5.6 It is recommended to repeat this process several times during the well test. This is the only way to know if all
the drilling fluids have been flushed out of the system
 Oilphase
6.0 PRODUCED WATER SAMPLING (for dissol ved organics)

6.12 Use clean glass bottles, not polyethylene.

6.2 Fill through a tube as above but do not overflow.

6.3 Seal the bottle with a cap using telfon liner. Check for leaks, label the bottle. Refer to Step 1.6 and complete a
Surface Sampling Datasheet.

7.0 ATMOSPHERIC OIL SAMPLING

7.1 When dead oil sampling is to be undertaken, ensure that the separator or sample flowline is suitably earthed.

7.2 Only rated pressure equipment is to be used for this task. Ensure that all valves, adapters and hoses are suitable
for the pressure, temperature and service involved

7.3 Only metal IATA approved cans are to be used. They can be identified by the UN logo marked in white near the
can or drum base.

7.4 The earthing cable with clips MUST be fitted between the sampling hose end outlet and the sample can and also
from the IATA can to the separator earth point . These earthing cables MUST be fitted prior to and during
sampling.

7.5 Personnel must ensure that metal buckets/drip trays are used for the collection and gathering of hydrocarbon
samples or waste.

7.6 This earthing connection to the bucket/drip tray must be directly to the bucket/drip tray body and not the bucket
handle, it is not acceptable to consider the bucket/drip tray sufficiently earthed by way of its physical contact
with the separator skid or the rigs decks.

7.7 All operational personnel must ensure that no plastic containers, buckets, sampling cylinders, drip trays and
associated vessels that may be used, or have the potential to be used for the collection or storage of
hydrocarbons, are present in the well test area, workshop or laboratory.

7.8 The only exception to this will be during the taking of a sample of hydrocarbon for the measurement of liquid
specific gravity or a BS&W. In this case the sample may be collected in the supplied glass measuring cylinders
that will now replace the previous used plastic versions.

7.9 If the client requires a dead oil sample to be taken from the separator oil line or the surge tank, then an earthing
cable must be fitted between the valve at which the sample will be emitted, or the fitted flying lead on the
separator, and the sample container ensuring that a metal to metal contact exists between the earthing cable clip
and sample container.

7.10 If it is necessary to purge hydrocarbons from any valve or sampling point to atmosphere via a metal bucket or
drip tray, the following procedure must be followed.

7.11 Place an empty metal bucket/drip tray on the separator skid or rig deck immediately below the point of
hydrocarbon release and connect the earthing flying lead directly to the bucket body so that the bucket is
grounded to the pipe or vessel containing the hydrocarbons.

7.12 Slowly open the valve to release the hydrocarbons in a controlled manner so as to reduce as far as practicable the
potential to create fluid friction and any resultant static.

NOTE: Any static that is produced will dissipate to earth via the earthing cable from the metal bucket/drip tray to
the rig structure, this prevents a potential difference between the hydrocarbon source and receptor and the
resultant chance of a static charge being released.
 Oilphase
7.13 Always use an empty bucket/drip tray before commencing operations of this nature and once the operation is
complete or if the bucket becomes half full, empty the bucket before continuing the operation.

NOTE: It is critical that the inventory of hydrocarbons contained in open buckets or drip trays is kept to a
minimum in the well test area, this would be crucial in the event of a fire.

7.14 Once the operation is complete close the sampling/purging valve and then remove the earthing cable from the
container and remove it from the area to the waste oil drum. Empty the contents from the waste container to the
drum and then replace the drum cap.

7.15 If replacing the bucket/drip tray to the site of hydrocarbon discharge the earthing cable must be reconnected
before leaving the area.

7.16 Never hang a bucket from any point on the well test equipment by its handle, all buckets or drip trays must be in
physical contact with the equipment’s skid or rigs deck and an earthing lead connected.

7.17 Leave at least a 10 - 20% space for expansion inside the container. Allow the sample to de-gas for as long as
possible before screwing on the lid as agitation during shipping causes evolution of gas which could cause the
vessel to rupture. Do not allow rainwater, spray, etc to contaminate the sample while it is de-gassing.

7.18 The sample should be labelled as per Section 1.6 of this procedure.