CARGO CALCULATIONS – ULLAGE SURVEYS

GENERAL
Ullage surveys are the methods used to determine the quantity of liquid cargo loaded or
discharged . The survey are generally split into two sections : 1- the ship , 2-the terminal . The
shore figure tends to take precedence over the ship’s figure and is generally used for the Bill
of Lading but a comparison is made with the ship’s figures and discrepancies accounted for .
A difference of less than 0,2% is usually considered as reasonable and acceptable .
DEFINITIONS :
-TOTAL OBSERVED VOLUME (TOV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids ,
including B.S.&W. and free water if applicable , at observed temperature and pressure.
-TOTAL CALCULATED VOLUME (TCV) = The total measured volume of all cargo
liquids including B.S.&W., if applicable , corrected by the appropriate volume correction
factor (VCF) for the observed temperature and density , API Gravity or Specific Gravity , to a
standard temperature (usually 150C or 600F) and also if necessary corrected by the appropriate
pressure correction factor (Cpl) , to a standard pressure (usually 1.01325 bar) and meter
factor, plus all free water.
-GROSS OBSERVED VOLUME (GOV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids
and B.S.&W., if applicable , but excluding free water , at observed temperatures and pressure.
-GROSS STANDARD VOLUME (GSV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids
and B.S.&W., if applicable , but excluding free water , corrected by the appropriate volume
correction factor (VCF) for the observed temperature and density (API Gravity or Specific
Gravity) to a standard temperature (usually 150C or 600F) and if necessary also corrected by
the appropriate pressure correction factor (Cpl) to a standard pressure (usually 1.01325 bar) ,
and meter factor .
-NET STANDARD VOLUME (NSV) = The total measured volume of all cargo liquids
excluding B.S.&W., if applicable , and free water , corrected by the appropriate VCF , for the
observed temperature and density (API Gravity or Specific Gravity) to a standard temperature
(usually 150C or 600F) and if necessary corrected by the appropriate pressure correction factor
(Cpl) to a standard pressure (usually 1.01325 bar) and meter factor.
-INDICATED VOLUME (IV) = The change in meter readings that occurs during a receipt
of a delivery.
-BASE SEDIMENTS AND WATER (B.S.&W.) = Non hydrocarbon solid material and
water in suspension in crude oil or petroleum liquids.
-FREE WATER (FW) = The calculated volume of water at observed temperature and
pressure , present in the ships tanks , which is not in suspension in the cargo liquid .
-VESSEL’S EXPERIENCE FACTOR (VEF) = The ship’s total calculated volume loaded
(less OBQ) or discharged (less ROB) divided by the total calculated volume pumped or
received from/in the shore tanks .
-ON BOARD QUANTITY (OBQ) / REMAINING ON BOARD (ROB) = The liquid and
non-liquid material found in the ship’s tanks before loading (OBQ) or after discharging
(ROB). The said material consists of (usually) cargo remaining , water , oil , slops , oil-water
emulsion , sludge and sediments .
-LETTER OF PROTEST (LOP) = A letter issued by any participant or nominated agent to a
commercial transaction , related to a discrepancy , condition or action to which issue is taken .
The letter serves as a written record that the particular discrepancy , condition , action or
finding was mentioned at the time of occurrence .
-LOADING ON TOP (LOT) = The loading of additional cargo in a tank where oil and/or
slops are already present .
VESSEL’S EXPERIENCE FACTOR
The ship’s experience factor is the comparison of the sum of ship and shore volumes over a
number of voyages. The various Institutes are unclear whether part cargoes should be used in
the calculations and various conventions have gradually grown up where a minimum 50% or
80% of the vessel’s deadweight has to be loaded/discharged before the figure is used in the
calculation. It should be noted however that the effect of any error in determining quantity or
error in the calculated tank volumes increases inversely as the percentage of cargo to the
deadweight decreases . The VEF is obtained by comparing the sum of total calculated
volumes minus ROB/OBQ with sum of the shore calculated volumes . Preferably only manual
measurements should be used and it is essential that the method of calculation is consistent
throughout .

VEF = [Sum of TCVs – OBQ/ROB]/Sum of total calculated shore volumes

Although ten “qualifying “ voyages is the optimum number for calculating the VEF , it can be
calculated after a minimum of five voyages .

QUALIFYING VOYAGES
There are a number of ways to determine “qualifying “voyages . These are :
1. Those voyages where the vessel’s load/discharge ratio to the ship’s TCV less
OBQ/ROB , divided by the total calculated shore volume for an individual voyage , is
statistically significant at the 95% probability level. (The calculation is long and
laborious but is the most statistically correct.
2. Discard those ratios which are not within 0.3% of the mean value of all voyages used
in the calculations.
3. Discard the two highest and the two lowest ratios used in the calculations . This gives
an answer within acceptable limits .
The following are not qualifying voyages :
1. Voyages prior to any structural modifications which affect the vessel’s cargo capacity
2. Voyages where shore measurements are not available
3. The voyage immediately after a vessel has dry-docked

USE OF THE VEF

The VEF is mainly used (as a divisor) to modify the ship’s figure for comparison with the
shore figure when loading/discharging crude oils or oil products . The modified figure is
obtained from the formula :

Modified ship’s figure = [TCV-ROB/OBQ]/VEF

The modified ship’s figure is sometimes used also as B/L figure ..

NOTE : The ratio between the ship and shore figures is reasonably constant but it can only be
consistent when all (or the same) ship’s tanks are used .

DETERMINING OBQ / ROB

As the quantity of material remaining is usually small and is quite often sludge , it is the
innage that should be measured , and the use of a solid sounding rod for this purpose is
preferable to using a sonic tape , as more accurate results can be obtained . (A graduated 30
cm long round bar is ideal for this purpose , as it is the best shape for the application of oil
and water finding paste , and the length ensures that there are no cuts on ungraduated areas).
It is necessary to record what the remaining is , when sounding a tank for the OBQ /ROB . If
the material , in the surveyor’s opinion , is free flowing , it is recorded as oil or water , or if it
is not free flowing , in the surveyor’s opinion , it is recorded as sludge , sediment or solidified
cargo , the surveyor using his experience to differentiate between them .
NOTES :
1. Even if the liquid is regarded as free flowing and recorded as oil or water , it may not be
possible to completely drain a tank of small quantities of the liquid . Much is dependent
on the capacity of the pumps and the shape of the tank’s bottom . The crew should do
their best in order to strip the tanks with maximum efficiency before recording the OBQ
2. If there is sufficient liquid in the tank , the temperature should be measured , and a
sample of the oil and water , if present , taken. If there is sufficient fluid to obtain a
temperature , any oil is assumed to be at sea water temperature , and the appropriate
volume correction factor applied , while water , sludge/sediment and solid cargo is
assumed to be at standard temperature .
3. Additional measurements will be required for solidified cargo , to determine whether it is
evenly distributed across the bottom or sloped to the after end of the tank.
The ROB form issued by the ship must contain the same figures as in the surveyor’s form (or
as close as possible).
If slops are to be commingled with cargo , they are treated as OBQ . If not , the results are to
be recorded on a separate form (SLOP report)
All compartments should be sounded for OBQ/ROB even if they are not to be loaded into or
discharged from.
All ullages/innages for oil and water , must be corrected for trim and list before entering the
tables , but if the liquid does not cover the bottom of the tank , the tables may not give an
accurate volume , and the wedge formula should be used to obtain the quantity of liquid.
No trim or list correction is to be applied for sludge or sediment or for solidified cargo which
appears to be evenly distributed over the bottom. If the solidified cargo is sloped , trim and list
correction or the wedge formula is applied as appropriate.

THE WEDGE FORMULA

The wedge formula is used to determine the amount of oil left in the bottom of a tank , when
the quantity remaining does not cover the bottom . It cannot be used if the ship is not upright ,
or if the tank has a V shaped bottom and makes the assumption that the liquid is free flowing .
The formula is : V = (P x W x i2)/2T where :
V is the volume of liquid in the wedge
P is the distance between the perpendiculars
T is the ship’s trim
i is the corrected innage . i is obtained from the formula :
i = [Scosecθ + (y- d tanθ)]tanθ where
i is the corrected innage
S is the measured innage
Z is the distance the innage is measured from the bulkheads
d is the height of the tank
θ is the trim angle and is obtained from the formula tanθ=T/P where T is the ship’s apparent
trim and P is the distance between perpendiculars .

As the ratio for cotangent are nearly equal for small angles , the formula for the corrected
innage can be re-written without much loss of accuracy as :
Corrected innage =measured innage x LBP x Z - measured innage x trim x trim
Trim LBP LBP
Where LBP = the distance between perpendiculars
Z is the distance of the ullage point from the after bulkhead of the tank

The wedge formula should be applied only if the corrected innage is less then X (which is the
minimum innage necessary for liquid to cover tank bottom ,at the vessel’s current trim)
L is the length of the tank . X= Ltanθ which can be written as Lxtrim/LBP

TANK MEASUREMENTS
Before and after the loading /discharging , the ship’s tanks must be measured . The
ullages/innages taken should be compared with the automatic gauges of the tanks and if there
is a significant difference , this should be recorded and further investigated if necessary .
Before recording the ullages/innages , there should be obtained three measurements that
agree within 0.003 meters each other . This margin may be increased to 0.005 meters if
ullaging is done in winds over force 4 .
Ideally a minimum of one or two hours should be allowed before dipping a tank which has
been in use , to allow the liquid time to settle and reach equilibrium conditions and any
accumulation of static electricity to leak to earth . It is generally preferable to use a sonic tape
to record ullages , as a more accurate result can obtained than measuring the ullages with a
standard tape . If in addition the instrument has the capacity to measure temperature and
oil/water interface , the time saved can be considerable . The main disadvantage is that they
are usually bulky and sometimes difficult to carry up .
Should the tank be empty or nearly empty and there is little or no sludge built up , the best
result is obtained by innaging the remaining quantity with a solid rod , as this gives a more
accurate result rather than a tape which may bow .
Where oil or water finding paste has been used , any cut obtained should be sharp , well
defined and at right angles to the tape/rod edge . If it is not , the result must be discarded and
the dip repeated . Ideally - in order to minimise the effect of bottom movement in a tank ,
when measurement are made the depth of liquid should not be less than 1.5 meters ; to reduce
the effect of any measurement e44rors , the change in liquid level in any one tank should not
be less than 3 meters .
When taking an oil dip with a solid rod or bob in a heavy viscous liquid , the tape should be
allowed to remain in the product for about ten seconds so as to allow the indentation , made
by the tape in the surface of the liquid when entering the product , to level out .
With light products , the tape must be removed as soon as possible after the wanted depth is
reached , as there is a tendency for the surface liquid to creep up the rod .

WATER DIPS
Water dips should be done as a matter of course . For bottom water , a thin layer of water-
finding paste is applied to the rod or bob , which is then lowered into the tank until it just
touches the bottom . The rod/bob is left in this position for about 20 seconds and then
withdrawn . The water cut should show up as straight or nearly straight line between the two
colours , but when taking dips on viscous or black products , it may be necessary to wash the
rod with kerosene in order to see water paste and it is possible only spots of colour change
will be found.

MEASURING TEMPERATURES
The number of temperature readings required depends largely on the depth of the liquid in
the tank and whether or not the surveyor expects any layering .
NOTE : In addition to the vertical temperature gradient , a horizontally gradient may also
exist . It is usually difficult to measure this latter gradient due to the lack of suitable access
points but it can be significant .
The temperature should be measured at levels corresponding to 5/6, ½ and 1/6 of the total
depth of the liquid . As a rough guide , if the temperature of the middle level is within 0.5 0C
of the average of the three levels , this average may be taken as the temperature of the tank
contents.
If the difference is greater then 0.50C , additional temperature must be measured at 9/10, 7/10,
3/10 and 1/10 of the liquid depth . If the average of these four temperatures is within 0.5 0C of
the middle temperature previously obtained , this average may be taken as the temperature of
the tank content .
NOTE : If the surveyor is of the opinion that layering has occurred , the temperature must be
measured every metre above through the depth and the results averaged .

THERMOMETERS
Using an electronic digital thermometer is the easiest way to obtain temperatures and a lot of
time is saved if this is coupled with a sounding tape . If normal thermometers are used , there
some recommended lengths of time for the thermometer immersion in the liquid , depending
on the product in which the temperature is being measured . Thus for :
- Light crude and white oils – immersion time of 5 min
- Medium crude fuel and lubricating oils – immersion time of 15 min
- Heavy crude and heavy oil - immersion time of 30 min
NOTE : Digital thermometers should be regularly checked against a master thermometer to
ensure that the readings obtained are within +0.50C . If the difference found is greater than
this , the instrument should be adjusted . The results of the test and any adjustment made must
be recorded .
Mercury thermometers should be checked against a master thermometer before being used for
the first time and the result recorded . If the difference is greater than 0.5 0C , the thermometer
should be discarded .
A Master Thermometer is one which meets ASTM/IP standards and is by a recognized
outside authority . It is used solely for testing purposes .

SOME PARAMETERS TESTED IN THE LABORATORY

DENSITY – The density is the mass per unit volume of a product . It is usually expressed in
Kg/l at standard temperature (usually 150C)
B.S.&W. – Non hydrocarbon solid material and water in suspension in oil can be determined
in a number of ways , two of which are :
1. By centrifuge , after the sample test has been diluted , usually with benzene and heated to
about 500C . The water and sediments separates to the bottom of a specially graduated tube
where the percentage can be easily measured .
2. By distillation . The percentage of suspended water can be determined after a measured
portion of oil is mixed with a suitable solvent and the mixture is distilled in an approved water
determination apparatus . The distillatory discharges into a graduated trap and as the water is
heavier , it collects at the bottom .
SULPHUR – There are several test methods to determine the quantity of sulphur , which is
the major source of corrosion and smell in the oil . The selected is usually part of the
specification .
REID VAPOUR PRESSURE – This is a measure of the volatility of the oil . A sample of oil
is placed in a pressure chamber to which a pressure gauge is attached and placed in a water
bath at 380C . The increase in pressure caused by the evaporation of the oil is then measured .
COLOUR – Colour is a degree of transparency , and the sample is usually compared against a
chart .
FLASH POINT – The flash point is the lowest temperature at which a combustible material
will give off enough vapour to form a flammable mixture with air . The sample is heated in an
open or closed can at a uniform rate and a test flame introduced at regular intervals . The
lowest temperature at which a distinct flash occurs inside the cup is the flash point .
CLOUD POINT – This is the temperature at which solid substances begin to separate from
solution when the sample is cooled under standard conditions .
POUR POINT – This the lowest temperature at which oils flows when cooled under standard
conditions .
VISCOSITY – The viscosity of a liquid is a measure of its resistance to flow , but as it is
dependent on temperature , this must be given when stating the viscosity of a liquid . The
usual method to determine viscosity is to measure the time taken for a specific volume of
liquid to flow through a standard orifice .
DISTILLATION – Oil is a complex compound with each component having its own boiling
point . Products are thus classified according to their distillation range . The test sample is
heated an a flask and the vapours condensed and recorded in a measuring cylinder . The
temperature at which the first drop of condensed vapour falls into the measuring cylinder is
called the initial boiling point (IBP) and the temperature at the end of the distillation process
is the final boiling point . The temperature at which each 10% of the sample condenses is also
recorded .
CORROSION - This is normally determined by the copper strip test . A clean strip is placed
in a sample of oil and the combination is heated . The discoloration of the strip is compared
with a standard , to determine the corrosion number .
OCTANE NUMBER – The octane number of a fuel is an indication of its knock
characteristics . The determination is made in a single cylinder engine with a variable
compression ratio (CFR engine) . The compression ratio is increased until knocking occurs ,
which is then measured by a detonation meter .
CETANE NUMBER – The determination of the ignition quality , which is basically the delay
between the injection of the fuel and ignition, is tested in a CFR engine . It can also be
calculated , as a correlation exists between the aromatic content of the fuel and the cetane
number.
GUM – The stability of the oil is determined by the amount of the existent and potential gum
in the oil . The tendency of the oil to deposit gum immediately (existent gum) is determined
by passing air over the sample in a heated dish , and evaporating the sample completely . The
residue then is weighed and expressed in milligrams per 100 ml of existent gum . To
determine the gum is likely to be formed on long storage (potential gum) the sample is heated
in a chamber at 1000C with oxygen under pressure for a specified period of time . The sample
is then cooled and evaporated by passing air over it . The residue is then weighed and
expressed in milligrams per 100 ml of existent gum .

DETERMINING THE DENSITY

a. Using the hydrometer – The hydrometer should be made of glass and to conform to
ASTM or Australian/British standards . The beaker in which the oil to be measured is
poured should have an inside diameter at least 25 mm bigger than the outside diameter
of the hydrometer cylinder to be used , and should be of sufficient height that there is a
minimum of 25 mm clearance between the bottom of the hydrometer and the bottom
of the beaker . The oil should be poured into the beaker without splashing , to avoid
the formation of air bubbles and to reduce the evaporation of the light ends .
 b. Measurement – Stir the sample continuously with the thermometer ensuring the
mercury thread is kept fully immersed . As soon as a steady reading is obtained ,
record the thermometer reading to the nearest 0.25 of a degree and then remove the
thermometer . Lower the hydrometer gently into the liquid , releasing it on reaching
the expected reading . After it has settled , depress the hydrometer about 2 scale
divisions and then release it , imparting a slight spin while doing so . This will assist
in bringing it to the rest , while floating freely away from the walls of the beaker .
When the hydrometer has come to rest and any air bubbles formed are removed ,
record the reading . For transparent liquids , take the reading by placing the eye below
the level of the liquid , and slowly raising it until the surface seen initially as a
distorted ellipse appears to become a straight line cutting the hydrometer scale . For
opaque liquids take the reading at the top of the meniscus and apply the correction for
the meniscus. For an hydrometer with a graduation interval of 0.0005 , this will be
+0.0007 , and for a hydrometer with an interval of 0.001 , the corrfection will be
+0.0014 .
Immediately after reading the hydrometer , again stir the sample and read the
temperature . If this second reading reading differs from the first by more than 0.5 0C ,
the test must be repeated until the temperature stabilises.
The density obtained is then converted from density at observed temperature to
density at 150C , specific gravity at 60/600F or API gravity at 600F , using the
appropriate table .

CALCULATIONS

VOLUME CORRECTION FACTOR

The VCF is obtained from the appropriate table (6 or 54) using the arguments density at 15C
or API gravity at 60F , and the observed temperature . Care must be taken to use the correct
table as the correction factors are not the same :
Table A Crude Oil
Table B Products
Table D Lube Oil
The GOV is then multiplied by the VCF to obtain GSV . Strictly speaking a further correction
factor for pressure may also be necessary , but this , except when using meters , is rarely
applied.

BS&W
Basic sediments and water – To be deducted from the GSV resulting NSV . This , when
multiplied by density at 15C gives the weight in vacuo.

WEIGHT IN AIR
This is the final figure required for the Bill of Lading and it is obtained by multiplying the
Gross Standard or Net Standard volume by the weight correction factor. The weight
correction factor , if the calculation has been in cubmeters , is obtained from Table 7
(basically the density at 15C minus 0.0011 for the range of densities and temperature usual
involved . The answer obtained is in metric tons.
If the calculation has been made in barrels , Tables 11 or 13 must be used to obtain the
multiplier , depending on whether the answer is required in long or metric tonnes.
LINE CLEARANCE (FOR SURVEYORS ONLY !)
Should the line be used for cargo operation be empty on commencement and full on
completion , or if the line is already full and the contents are replaced with a different grade ,
it is necessary to make allowance for this volume in determining the total calculated volume .
In the first case above , it is necessary to determine the volume of the pipe line , and to deduct
this from the tank volume , and in the second case above to ascertain the change in volume of
the tank containing the different product and add this to the volume of the product being
loaded or discharged .
Ther is some argument as to the density that should be used , but probably the least
contentious is to use the B/L density of the product if coming from the ship , and the
composite desity of the product being loaded if from the shore , for both the initial and final
dips.

TIME SHEET
It is necessary to be kept a full record of all the events such as : Pilot on board , first line
ashore , custom clearance , free pratique granted , surveyor on board , commencement of the
tank inspection , completion of the tank inspection , hose connected , commencement of the
loading or of the discharging , all times used for other operation than the loading/discharging
(even if the operation is ceased at terminal’s request or if it is ceased by the ship) , completion
of the operation , final tank inspection , hose disconnected , documents on board . NOTE to
the above times may be added other significant times as well . It is highly recommended to
keep a detailed time log (eventually on a scrap book) , detailing times of all events such as
tank changes , starting various pumps (cargo and/or ballast) starting the IG plant , opening
various valves etc .

CONVERSION FACTORS AND FORMULAE

The most frequently used conversion factors and formulae are :
- Long Tons = Metric Tons / 1.016047
- Cubic Meters at 150C = Barrels at 600F / 6.293 (where the density at 150C is
between 0.779 and 0.901)
- Temperature 0C = Temperature 0F -32 x 5/9
- API Gravity = (141.5/S.G. at 60/600F) – 131.5

RATIO BLEND DENSITY

Where the product from different tanks with slightly different densities are mixed , a
composite density can be obtained from the formula :
dc = d1 x Vr1 + d2 x Vr2 + …+ dn x Vrn
where dc = the composite density ; d1 , d2 , d3 …dn are the tank densities ; Vr are the ratios of
the volume of product from the tanks to the total volume .

If a product is added to another already in tank , the composite density can be calculated from
the formula :
dc = [d1 + Vi(di-d1)]/ Vf
where dc = composite density ; d1 is the density of the incoming product ; d i is the density of
the product in the tank initially ; Vi is the initial volume of the product in the tank ; Vf is the
final volume of the product in the tank .
NOTE : the densities must all be at the same temperature ; the formula may also be used to
obtain the composite temperature .
METERS (FOR SURVEYORS ONLY !)
When meters are used to determine the quantity of cargo loaded , it is essential not only to
monitor the performance of the meter and proving system , but also to check that the
associated instrumentation functions correctly . The proving of each meter used during
loading must be witnessed and the surveyor should ensure that this process is carried out as
soon as the average throughput and stable conditions are reached . The readings obtained
should be within :
1. 0.05% for consecutive pulse counts , in a sequence of five proving runs
2. 0.20C temperature difference between each proving run for the meter and prover
3. 0.2% difference between the calculated meter factor and the previous meter factor , at
the equivalent operating conditions.
NOTES :
1. Changes in meter factor can occur with significant differences in flow rate ,
temperature and viscosity
2. The prover base volume must be calculated every two years for the computation to
be valid .
METER FACTOR
The meter factor (F) is obtained from the formula :
F = Vb x Cts x Cps x Citl x Cipl (expressed to 5 significant figures)
Vm x Ciitl x Ciipl
Where :
Vb = the prover base volume at standard temperature and pressure
Vm= the meter volume and is obtained by dividing the average pulses per cubic meter for
barrel by the K factor
Cts = the correction for the temperature on steel of pipe prover
Cps = the correction for the pressure on steel of pipe prover
Citl = the correction for temperature on liquid of pipe prover
Ciitl = the correction for temperature on liquid at meter
Cipl = the correction for pressure on liquid of pipe prover
Ciipl = the correction for pressure on liquid at meter
The Gross Standard Volume put through a meter is obtained from the formula :
GSV = indicated volume x F x Ciitl x Ciipl

The K factor
The object of proving a turbine meter is to establish the relationship between a train of electric
pulses collecting in an electronic counter and the volume passed by the meter , which must be
obtained simultaneously . This ratio is known as the K factor and is expressed as :
K= n/Vb where n= the number of pulses ; Vb=the prover base volume
K is then divided into the number of pulses emitted by the meter to determine the volume
delivered . Alternatively the number of pulses can be multiplied by the reciprocal of K to
obtain the volume . This reciprocal is known as the “one pulse volume” and is expressed as :
g = 1/K = Vb/n
It is common practice in many terminals for a constant K factor to be set into the meter and
the reading obtained corrected to obtain the true volume delivered. The volume correction
factor in this case is given by the formula :L
VCF = K factor (set in) /K factor (obtained during proving)

FORMULAE
Pressure 1 bar = 0.0689476 lb/in2
Correction for pressure on steel (Cps) = 1 + pressure on prover inbar x internal diameter of
prover/ (Elastic modules x wall thickness of prover)

Correction for temperature on steel (Cts) = 1 + (temperature – 150C) x volumetric coefficient

of thermal expansion

Correction for pressure on liquid = 1+ compressibility factor x pressure in bar