Custody Transfer Metering Solutions for the Distribution of Oil Products

In this article:

• What is Custody Transfer Metering and why it is essential
• Advantages of Custody Transfer Metering Skids
• ISOIL's Skid-Based Solution for Custody Transfer Metering – a Case Study

What is Custody Transfer Metering and Why it is Essential

Custody transfer metering is a critical process in the oil and gas industry, involving the accurate measurement of hydrocarbons (such as crude oil and natural gas) when ownership is transferred from one party to another.

This process typically occurs at points of sale, transport, or storage, ensuring both buyer and seller agree on the quantity of product exchanged.

Accurate custody transfer metering is essential for several reasons:

• Financial Accuracy: Ensures that the monetary value of the transferred product is precisely determined.

• Regulatory Compliance: Adheres to strict industry standards and regulations to avoid legal issues.

• Operational Efficiency: Minimizes disputes between parties and ensures smooth operations.

• Quality Control: Monitors the quality of the transferred product to maintain standards and meet contractual obligations

The precision in custody transfer metering is paramount because even minor inaccuracies can lead to significant financial losses or disputes. Therefore, factors such as temperature, pressure, and flow rates must be meticulously controlled and measured to maintain accuracy.

Need more information about Custody Transfer Metering skids and solutions?

Advantages of Custody Transfer Metering Skids

A skid is a pre-assembled, modular system that includes all necessary components for custody transfer metering.

The use of skids offers several advantages:

• Measurement Accuracy: Skids are designed to provide highly accurate measurements, critical for financial transactions. They incorporate advanced metering technologies that ensure the precision required for custody transfer.

• Operational Efficiency: Being pre-assembled and tested, skids reduce installation time and costs. Their modular design allows for easy maintenance and upgrades, ensuring minimal downtime.

• Compliance with Regulations: Skids are built to comply with industry standards and regulations, such as the PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) and ATEX (Explosive Atmospheres Directive). This compliance ensures the safety of operations.

• Enhanced Reliability: The integration of degassing units, filters, and advanced electronics within the skid ensures the reliability of measurements, reducing the risk of errors caused by gases or impurities in the product.

ISOIL's Skid-Based Solution for Custody Transfer Metering – A Case Study

ISOIL Impianti has developed an advanced skid-based solution tailored to the needs of a customer, a major operator in the Italian oil logistics sector.

The products unloaded from ships in Genoa are then delivered through a complex network of pipelines to various storage depots in Northern Italy. There, they are stored and subsequently loaded onto tanker trucks for distribution to service stations.

Therefore, the system had to address the need for precise volume measurement during pipeline transfers from ships to storage facilities.

• Multi-Product Capability: The skid is designed to measure various products, including diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel, ensuring versatility.

• High Flow Rate and Pressure Handling: The system operates with a 10-inch pipeline, handling a maximum flow rate of 500 m³/h at a design pressure of 18.3 bar and temperature of 70°C.

• Key Components:
  
  

• • • Trunnion Ball Valve: Ensures safe and reliable flow control.
    • FA 3000 Filter: Protects the meter by removing impurities from the product.
    • DV-200-02 Centrifugal air separator: Eliminates air/gas from the product, enhancing measurement accuracy.
    • LBM 3000 Meter: Provides precise measurement for diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel and it is equipped with EM6422 pulse emitter for accurate data transmission.
    • LBM 3000 Master Meter: Allows calibration of the skid. It is connected to the main line and mounted on a removable structure to ease handling and transport operations.
    • VEGA 3 Electronic Flow Computer: Manages quantity calculations, temperature and pressure compensation, and data logging, ensuring comprehensive control and documentation of the metering process. The VEGA 3 is connected via Modbus to the customer’s DCS to enable and control operations.

• Compliance and Safety: The skid system is built and certified according to MID, PED, and ATEX directives, ensuring adherence to strict safety and regulatory standards.

Custody transfer metering is a vital component in the oil and gas industry, requiring utmost accuracy and reliability.

ISOIL's skid-based solutions offer significant advantages in terms of precision, operational efficiency, and compliance with industry standards.

By offering advanced technologies and robust components, ISOIL ensures that its custody transfer metering systems meet the demanding requirements of the industry, facilitating smooth and accurate product transfers.

For more information about our skid solutions and other metering technologies