A HAND BOOK FOR VALIDATION OF FISCAL GAS METERING

EQUIPMENT

BY

KENNETH OGHENEOCHUKO
TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 Introduction 3

1.0 List of Equipment and Tools 4

2.0 Validation Procedure 5

3.0 Applicable Standard and Code 15

4.0 Reporting Template 16

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This handbook contains List of Equipment, Validation Procedures, Applicable Standards and

Codes and Reporting Format for Fiscal Gas Metering System. It is hoped that it will aid young

engineers as well as support experienced once in performing Gas metering validation exercise

In this handbook we have covered the following instruments;

1. Pressure Transmitter

2. Differential Pressure Transmitter

3. Temperature Transmitter

4. Orifice Plate Inspection

5. Densitometer Validation

6. Due Point Analyser

7. Gas Chromatograph

8. Flow computer validation

9. Specific Gravity

2.0 LIST OF EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS

 S/N EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

1 STIKO DEAD WEIGHT TESTER

2 GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR PR200D.

3 PISTON CYLINDER.

4 MASS SET.

5 BLOCK CALIBRATOR.

6 TEMPERATURE PROBE/READOUT.

7 VACUUM GUAGE

8 2 POINT DIGITAL VERNIER CALIPER

9 DECADE VARIABLE RESISTANCE BOX.

10 STRAIGHT EDGE

11 FILLER GUAGE.

12 HART COMMUNICATOR

13 MULTIMETER

14 TOOL BOX

15 KELTON FLOCALC SOFTWARE

3.0 VALIDATION PROCEDURES

INTRODUCTION

The quaterly validation of fiscal metering equipment is a statutory obligation in the oil and Gas
industry. This document, details the procedure to safely and professionally carry out the excercie in
line with DPR regulation.

1. PRESSURE TRANSMITTER
Equipment Required: Dead weight Tester

 The pressure transmitter shall be validated using a calibrated dead weight tester. The
validation shall be initiated manually, and the readings taken from the Validation
workstation or from instruments in situation where there is no validation work station.
 The pressure transmitter will be connected to the dead weight tester.
 By using the dead weight tester pressure will be simulated and value in “bar”.
 The pressure validation in the transmitter makes use of the reference sample method
 The reading, directly derived from the pressure transmitter under validation, is compared
with the value as indicated by the calibrated dead weight tester.
 The result of this comparison shall be within defined error limits. If outside the result shall
be “BAD”.
 This will be performed at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 110%, 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0 % of
the transmitter range.

NOTE: The overshoot step is not applicable to determine the validation result.
If “BAD” the transmitter shall be calibrated, then re-validated following the steps below. If “BAD”
again the transmitter is recommended to be replaced.

The following steps need to be performed before the validation procedure will be initiated.
1) Check that all the instruments to be use are available and ready.
2) Make sure that the applicable transmitter is operating normally.

COMMENCE VALIDATION

1) Shut the isolation valves from the process line.

2) Vent the transmitter by opening the vent valve slowly wait until the transmitter is de-
pressurized.
3) Close the vent valve.
4) Open the validation pressure valve.
5) Connect the Dead Weight Tester to the Validation points in the Analyser house
6) Ensure High side outlet of the Pressure Regulator is connected to high side of the tubings
leading to the Transmitter
7) The system is now ready to take the readings
 8) Using the pressure transmitter range, put the masses on the piston in the following sequence
0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 110%, 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0 %.
9) If at the end of the exercise the Validation is GOOD proceed to step 12
10) If at the end of the excercise the Validation is BAD, the Transmitter will be Calibretaed
11) After calibration repeat Step 8, if GOOD proceed to step 12, otherwise descard Transmitter
and replace with a new one. The new transmitter will also need to undergo Validation.
12) Disconnect the calibrated dead weight tester.
13) Close the validation pressure valve of the transmitter.
14) Open the isolation valve of the process (line valve).
15) Open the isolation valve on the manifold block.

The decision whether a validation is accepted or not, is based on the calculated Error% Span.
The calculated error will be compared with the validation error limit in every validation step
(except the Overshoot step).
Acceptance limit +/- 0.25% span.
Frequency of Validation: Quaterly
Note: 1kg Mass = 5 Bar

2. DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE TRANSMITTER

Equipment Required: Dead Weight Tester

 The differential pressure transmitter shall be validated using a certified dead weight tester.
The validation shall be initiated manually, and the readings retrieved from the instruments.
 The differential pressure transmitter will be connected to a dead weight tester.
 Known differential pressure shall be simulated in the transmitter.
 The differential pressure validation makes use of the reference sample method
 The reading, directly derived from the differential pressure transmitter under validation, is
compared with the value of the dead weight.
 The result of this comparison shall be within defined error limits. If outside the result shall
be “BAD”.
 This will be performed at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 110%, 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0 % of
the transmitter range.

NOTE: The overshoot step is not applicable to determine the validation result.

If “BAD” the transmitter shall be calibrated, then re-validated following the steps above. If “BAD”
again the transmitter is recommended to be replaced.

The following steps need to be performed before the validation procedure will be initiated.
1) Check that all the instruments to be use are all available and ready.
2) Make sure that the applicable transmitter is operating normally.

COMMENCE VALIDATION
 1) Shut the isolation valves from the line; shut also the isolation valve on the manifold for both
high and low side.
2) Open the equalizer between the high and low pressure side.
3) Vent the transmitter by opening the vent valves slowly wait until the transmitter is de-
pressurized.
4) Take 0% reading.
5) Close equalizer valve.
6) Close low and high vent valve
7) Open high and low validation differential pressure input.
8) Connect the Dead Weight Tester to the Validation points in the Analyser house
9) Ensure High side outlet of the Pressure Regulator is connected to high side of tubing leading
to DPT and Low side Pressure regulator is connected to the Low side of tubing leading to to
the DPT
10) On the calibrated and non calibreted piston, put masses equivalent to the line pressure and
blance both masses using fractional non calibreted masses.
11) The system is now ready to take the readings
12) Using the Differential Pressure Transmitter range, put the masses on the calibrated piston in
the following sequence
0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 110%, 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0 %.
13) Accetp/Take the reading.
14) If at the end of the exercise the Validation is GOOD proceed to step 15
15) If at the end of the excercise the Validation is BAD, the Transmitter should be Calibrated
16) After calibration repeat Step 8, if GOOD proceed to step 15, otherwise discard Transmitter
and replace with a new one. The new transmitter will also need to undergo Validation.
17) Vent the Transmitter from the pressure regulator
18) Disconnect the dead weight tester
19) Open the isolation valve of the process (line valve).
20) Open the isolation valve on the manifold block.

The decision whether a validation is accepted or not, is based on the calculated Error% Span
The calculated error will be compared with the validation error limit in every validation step
(except the Overshoot step).
Acceptance limit +/- 0.10% span.
Frequency of Validation: Quaterly Note:
1g = 5 mBar

3. TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER
Equipment Required: Temperature Bath, Temperature Probe/Read Out

 The temperature transmitter shall be validated using a block calibrator. The validation shall
be initiated manually, and the readings accepted from the work station or retrieved from the
instruments.
 The element will be removed from the process and connected to temperature block calibrator
and electronics indicator.
  The element and a reference temperature probe will be placed together into the block
calibrator
 This block calibrator can be heated or cooled to obtain homogeneous temperature for both
elements
 The reading of the reference probe shall be filled in validation script.
 The temperature transmitter validation makes use of the reference sample method
 The value entered is compared with the read-out of the temperature transmitter.
 The result of this comparison shall be within defined error limits. If not the result shall be
“BAD”
 This will be performed at low, spot and high temperature (0%, 50% and 100%).

The following steps need to be performed before the validation procedure will be initiated.
1) Remove knife edge of Temperature Transmitter from Marshalling cabinet
2) Remove the applicable element and connect it to the validation terminals.
3) Check if the reconnected transmitter is operating normally
4) Insert the element and the reference probe into the metal block and power up the metal
block
5) Insulate the element and probe.

COMMENCE VALIDATION

1) Adjust the set-point on the reference bath to the Low reference value.
2) Wait until the temperature has stabilized.
3) Record the reading from the reference meter.
4) Repeat 1 – 3 for medium and high validation set-point.
5) Click to Finish Validation if result is GOOD
6) If result is BAD, calibrate the Transmitter. If result is still BAD, consider change of the
Temperature Element.
7) If Element or Transmitter is change, Repeat the Validation process
8) Remove the thermal insulation from the temperature elements.
9) Remove the reference temperature element from the pocket of the calibrator.
10) Remove the validated temperature transmitter from the calibrator.
11) Disconnect the temperature transmitter from the validation connection.
12) Re-install the validated temperature transmitter.
13) Close the knife edge in the marshalling cabinet
14) Ensure the transmitter is functional.
Acceptance limit+/- 0.15% Ref K.
Frequncy of Validation: Quaterly

4. DENSITY TRANSDUCER
Equipment required: Vacuum Pump, Vacuum Gauge
Density transducer calibration is very specialized and is best performed at the factory where
accuracy and traceability to international standards is guaranteed.
Also is processed with factory approved algorithms to produce the best accuracy.
However if units cannot be returned for regular calibration/validation, there are some checks that
can be completed on site, these steps are:

1) AIR CHECKS
With the instrument clean and dry, check the reading of the sensor time period on aid (Tair).
Connect the instrument to a power supply and a timer counter to the signal terminal, read the
periodic time the display will read the time in micro-seconds.
Tair should correspond closely to the Tair value documented on the calibration certificate for that
unit.

2) LIQUID CHECKS
Pour a sample of clean distilled water into a bucket and deep the Density meter inside. Check
reading from output and compare with value on equipment certificate.

COMMENCE VALIDATION
The procedure for the calibration of density transducer is as follows:

1) Isolate the density transducer from the manifold block.

2) Vent the density transducer via the vent valve of the manifold block.
3) Close vent after 30 seconds.
4) Open vacuum valve on the valve.
5) Vent the vacuum system.
6) Close the vent after 30 seconds.
7) Start the vacuum pump and wait until vacuum is reached.
8) Take the reading and compare with reference indicated by the certificate of the density
transducer.
9) Stop the vacuum pump.
10) Verify on the vacuum gauge that the pressure has equalized to the environmental condition
(0 bar).
11) Close the vacuum valve.
12) De-isolate the density transducer to the process.
Acceptance limit+/- 0.015µs( +/-0.1kg/m3), 0.1 (%Ref)
Frequency Of Validation: Quaterly

5. ORIFICE PLATE INSPECTION

Equipment required: Filler Gauge, Three/Two Piont Caliper, Stell Rule,
Striaght Edge
The Orifice Inspection validation standard will be used to visually check an orifice plate, measure
the orifice diameter, and compare the measured diameter with the certified diameter.

Validation of the Orifice plate shall be carried out by using the two point micrometer instrument digital venire
caliper or three point caliper, straight edge and filler gauge test equipment.

The following validation steps will be performed:

1) Isolate and de-pressurized the line.

2) Extract the orifice plate from the meter.
3) Clean the plate thoroughly.
4) Take the plate into a stable environment.

COMMENCED VALIDATION
1) Inspect the plate and record the following
 Orifice Diameter
 Ambient Temperature
 General condition
 Condition of seal
 Upstream surface condition
 Edge condition
 Flatness
 Serial number
2) Compare the result with that which is stipulated in the certificate.
3) Change existing Seal
4) Re-install plate into the meter.
5) De-isolate the line.
Acceptance limit+/- 0.0005inch or +/-0.127mm of OEM stated value.
Frequncy of Validation: Yearly

6. SPECTRA SENSOR MOISTURE ANALYZER

Equipment Required: Hydrometer

The spectra sensor moisture analyzer validation will be done manually, Validation of the analyzer
using an appropriate gas standard can be done on systems equipped with a check gas or validation
gas port.

COMMENCE VALIDATION

1) Connect a bottle of validation gas to the check sample port (at the specified supply pressure).
2) Press # (Mode) 7 to set the validation measurement mode for
Channel A or # (Mode) 8 to set the validation measurement mode for Channel B.

NOTE: When the validation mode is enabled through Mode 7 or Mode 8,

“(V)” will be displayed to the right of the designated analyte type on the LCD.

3) Close the upstream measurement cell isolation valve.

4) Open the check gas valve.
5) Adjust the sample flowmeter metering valve to the specified flow for the measurement cell.

NOTE: The adjustment set-points of the analyzer flowmeters and pressure regulators will be interactive and
may require readjustment multiple times until the final set-points are obtained.

The analyzer system has been designed for the sample flow rate specified. A lower than specified sample flow
rate may adversely affect system performance. If you are unable to attain the specified sample flow rate,
contact your factory sales representative.

6) Make a measurement after the gas flows for approximately five minutes or when the values on
the LCDs settle.
7) After validation, press # (Mode) 1 to return to normal mode.
8) Close the check gas or validation gas shut-off valve.
9) Open the upstream measurement cell isolation valve.
10) Adjust the sample flowmeter metering valve to the specified flow for the measurement cell, and
to return to normal operation.
Acceptance limit: +/- 50oC

Spectra Sensors recommends validating the analyzer using only the analyte mixed in the validation gas
specified on the analyzer calibration report. Bottles of test gas with certified concentrations of approximately
20% and 80% of full scale are recommended for two point validation. For single point validation, a bottle
with a certified concentration of approximately 50% of full scale should be used.

When procuring a gas standard, make sure the background gas is that specified or a mix that closely
resembles the contents of the process stream and have the gas standard certified to better than the specified
precision of the analyzer, if possible.

Note: Calibrating the analyzer is typically not required under normal circumstances. Spectra Sensors
calibrates each analyzer to a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) traceable standard before
shipping the unit to the end user. Because Spectra Sensors analyzers use a non-contact form of measurement,
they are relatively insensitive to contamination, are quite rugged and virtually maintenance free ensuring
years of reliable service.

7. GAS CHROMATOGRAPH
Equipment required: Calibration Gas

The gas chromatograph validation is based on the following:

 The inlet stream for the gas chromatograph will be switched from process gas to reference
gas bottle.
  The GC will be flushed a number of times and these readings will be ignored.
 After the flushes, a number of 4 validation readings will be taken.
 During an As Left validation it is possible to take 6 readings (after the flushes), in case one of
the deviation checks is violated.
 The gas chromatograph validation makes use of the reference sample method
 The following evaluations will be performed:

1) For each component, the deviation between average of the last 4 readings and the reference value
shall not exceed deviation limit.
2) For each component, the repeatability of the last 4 readings shall not exceed the deviation limit.
3) For the sum of the components, the absolute deviation between the average of the 4 totals and
the actual total shall not exceed the deviation limit.
The validation result will be "GOOD" when all three conditions are met. If not the result shall be
“BAD”.

COMMENCE VALIDATION

1) Check that the bottle is connected to the gas chromatograph and is opened.
2) Check the pressure of the reference bottle.
3) Check if the GC is operating normally.
4) Check that the calibration bottle is hooked up correctly for validation.
5) Make sure that the GC is free of any alarm.
6) Please verify that the reference values correspond to the values in the certificate of the in-use
calibration bottle.
7) If the values are correct proceed, but if the values are not please abort.
8) Switch the GC from the process gas to reference gas.
9) Four validation reading will be taken and the GC will be switched back to process gas.
10) Wait until validation complete

Note: After the GC validation using the Calibration gas, the result sholud be 100% percent
representing the total percentages of the various componet that makes up the calibretaion gas. If
this value is not 100% it means there is an error from the GC.

8. Flow computer validation

Equipment Required: Kelton Software
Validation of the flow computer is done using the Kelton Flo CALC.NET software on the validation
workstation. The following is a step by step process for the validation;
1. On the validation workstation CLICK on the Kelton software Icon
2. It opens a page showing FLOCALC.NET, double click on the FLOVALC.NET
3. It opens a page showing Home, Workbook, and Calculation. Ensure it is on Home, Click on
Calculation form library to show different packages.

Validation of Flow rate (using ISO 5167:1991 Oriifice Flow Calculation)

 1. On the left-hand side of the system under group, Click on ISO
2. On the display page double click on ISO5167:1991 Orifice Flow Rate
3. It opens a page showing General, Options, Input, Intermediates, Output, Report
4. Click on General and fill in the necessary information
5. Click on option and Highlight the following as shown below:
a. Solve for = Flow rate
b. Fluid = Gas
c. Tapping Type = D/D2
d. Drain Hole = None
e. Calculate for = Mass
f. Expansibility factor = Calculated
g. Temperature = Downstream (T3)
h. Density Downstream = (ρ2)
6. Click on inputs and fill in the necessary Information from flow computer printout
7. Click on the Output to see the flow rate of the system. NOTE: the unit of the flow rate can be
changed by clicking on the flow rate unit
8. Click on report to show the result of the validation
9. On the top side of the result of validation
10. From the outcome of (step 9) above click on the PDF
11. Save the result on the desktop

9 SPECIFIC GRAVITY

The following is the procedure for specific garvity evaluation;

1 Close the SG Valve
2 Introduce methane gas by opening the valve to the analyser at a pressure of 8-9 Psi
3 When Methane has been accepted, close methane valve and open Nitrogen Valve
4 The nitrogen Gas is sent to the SG analyser at a pressure of 15Psi
5 When nitrogen has been accepted, close the valve
6 Open the SG valve

On the work station, do the following;

7 On the validation Workstation, click on Relative Density
8 Input the Cal Gas low and high value and serial number. Low= 0.5539, high= 0.9723
9 Wait for field calibration to be carried out
10 Click save As Found when the field simulation has been carried out(it will display IN if in
Tolerance and OUT if not in tolerance)
11 If tolerance is OUT, you click cancel to re-simulate in case of human error
 12 When all simulation has been carried out with no need for calibration, Click EXIT with No
calibration, then click OK on the pop up dialog box
13 The result sheet with automatically print out, otherwise click PRINT
14 Click Exit

4.0 APPLICABLE CODES, STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

S/N CHAPTER DESCRIPTION
AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE (API)
1 API MPMS Ch. 1 -Definition & Terms
2 API MPMS Ch. 5 -Metering
3 API MPMS 14.1 -Natural Gas Fluids Measurements
API 14.1 -Collecting and Handling of Natural Gas Samples for Custody
Transfer
API 14.5 -Calculation of Gross Heating Value, Relative Density,
Compressibility and Theoretical Hydrocarbon Liquid Content for
Natural Gas Mixtures for Custody Transfer
API MPMS 14.3 -Natural Gas Fluids Measurements: Concentric, Square
Part 2
4 API MPMS 21.1 -Flow Measurement Using Electronic Metering System – Electronic
Gas Measurement
5 API MPMS 20.1 -Allocation Measurements
AMERICA GAS ASSOCIATION (AGA)
1 AGA-3 -Orifice Metering of Natural Gas Parts 1,2,3 & 4
2 AGA-7 -Measurement of Natural Gas by Turbine Meter (2006)
3 AGA-8, -Compressibility factor of Natural Gas and Related Hydrocarbon Gas
4 AGA No. 9 – Measurement of Gas by Ultrasonic Multipath Meters
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO) & BRITISH
STANDARDS (BS)
1 ISO 5167-1 - Measurement of Fluid Flow by Means of Pressure Differential
Devices
 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD INSTITUTE (ANSI)

1 ANSI-2530, Gas : Orifice Meters Natural Gas Fluids Measurement - Concentric,

Measurement Square-Edged Orifice Meters
Manuals - Part 3
ISA, THE INSTRUMENTATION, SYSTEMS, AND AUTOMATION SOCIETY
1 ISA S20 -Specification Forms for Process Measurement and Control
Instruments
GAS PROCESSORS ASSOCIATION (GPA)
1 GPA 2145-09 -Table of Physical Constants for Hydrocarbons and Other
Compounds of Interest to the Natural Gas Industry

2 GPA 2166-05 -Obtaining Natural Gas Samples for Analysis by Gas

Chromatography
3 GPA 2198-03 -Selection, Preparation, Validation, Care and Storage of Natural Gas
and Natural Gas Liquids Reference Standard Blends
4 GPA 2261-13 -Analysis for Natural Gas and Similar Gaseous Mixtures by Gas
Chromatography
5 GPA-8182-03 -Standard for Mass Measurement of Natural Gas Liquids

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS

1 IEC 62382 -Electrical & Instrumentation loop checks