Fiscal Flow Metering Systems

About the Course

The fiscal flow metering system is a liquid and gas flow measurement supervisory system. The system may communicate with flow computers. Fiscal measurement is also referred to as custody transfer measurement.  By definition, custody transfer refers to the fiscal measurement used to determine the quantity and financial value of a petroleum product transaction (delivery). So, the fiscal metering units (or the sales gas custody transfer units) are concerned with accurately measuring the products at the delivery point from the producer to the customer (or the gathering grid). It also translates the delivered quantities into BTU values, which will be translated to financial values in USD.

The accuracy of the fiscal flow metering systems must be at the highest level, as even a small measurement error can result in a large financial difference. Because of the critical nature of these measurements, many standards have been developed and adopted by the petroleum standardisation authorities worldwide to meet the industry’s needs. American Petroleum Industry (API), International Standards Organisation (ISO), American Gas Association (AGA), Petroleum Measurement Standards, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American National Standard Institute (ANSI), API Manual of Petroleum Measurement (API MPMS), etc. are some of the standards followed by industries.

This 5-day Fiscal Flow Metering Systems training course will follow the standards and all details governing the custody transfer process and fiscal metering units, along with sizing and validation tools. It will discuss all aspects of Flow Fiscal Systems, including design basis, inspection, revision, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Core Objectives

The delegates will achieve the following objectives: 

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles and theories behind various flow measurement technologies
• Learn about different types of flow meters, including differential pressure, ultrasonic, turbine, and coriolis meters, and their specific applications
• Acquire knowledge of the calibration methods and best practices for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of flow measurement instruments
• Understand the critical elements of fiscal systems processes, including the legal, contractual, and regulatory aspects
• Learn how to design and implement flow measurement systems that meet industry standards (like AGA 3, AGA8, and API MPMS) and optimise operational efficiency
• Develop skills in interpreting and analysing flow measurement data to ensure accurate reporting and decision-making
• Gain practical knowledge in troubleshooting common issues and performing routine maintenance on flow measurement and fiscal metering equipment
• Familiarise yourself with the relevant industry standards, guidelines, and regulatory requirements governing flow measurement and custody transfer

Training Approach

Our training approach combines theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on experience to comprehensively understand flow measurement and fiscal metering. This training course begins with foundational lectures on the principles and technologies of flow measurement, providing delegates with a solid grounding in the subject. Interactive discussions and case studies will illustrate real-world applications and challenges, encouraging active participation and knowledge sharing among attendees. It will also cover industry standards, calibration techniques, and system design principles to equip participants with the tools for effective measurement and transfer practices.

It incorporates practical demonstrations and software simulation exercises using actual flow measurement equipment to reinforce learning. Delegates will engage in calibration procedures, system troubleshooting, and data analysis tasks to apply the concepts learned in the classroom. This blended approach ensures that delegates understand the theoretical aspects and gain practical skills that can be directly applied to their roles. They will thoroughly understand best practices in flow measurement and fiscal metering, enabling them to enhance operational accuracy and efficiency within their organisations.

The Attendees

This training course is tailored to professionals in flow metering, industrial automation, instrumentation, and control systems. It is ideal for those looking to deepen their technical expertise and apply advanced automation technologies within their organisations, especially for individuals responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining fiscal flow metering stations and custody transfer systems.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following: 

• Automation Engineers
• Flow Metering Engineers & Technicians
• Fiscal Flow Metering Systems Engineers
• Control System Technicians
• Industrial Engineers
• Maintenance Technicians
• Process Engineers
• Instrumentation Engineers
• Instrumentation Technicians
• Calibration Engineers and Technicians

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: FUNDAMENTALS OF FISCAL FLOW METERING SYSTEMS

• Basic Fiscal Metering
• Definition of Fiscal Metering and the Glossary of Terms Associated with Fiscal Metering
• Flow Measurement
• Standards for Fiscal Metering
• Flow Measurement Instruments
• Gas Chromatographs
• The Laws of Physics Behind Measuring Fluid Flow in Pipes
• Standards for Measurement Integrity
• Instruments Used for Flow Measurements and Operation of Gas Chromatographs

DAY TWO: BASIC AND ADVANCED FLOW MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

• Flow Meters
• Pressure Meters
• Temperature Meters
• Flow Computers
• Operation and Characteristics of Various Fluid Flow Meters such as:
  •  Ultrasonic
  • Orifice Plate
  • Ventruri
  • Turbine
  • Coriolis Mass Flow Meters
  • Magnetic Low Meters
• Flow Meters Selection Criteria
• Flow Meter Sizing
• Liquid Measurement Principles
• API Gravity of Liquids

DAY THREE: FISCAL FLOW METERING SYSTEMS BASICS

• Definition and Importance of Fiscal Flow Metering Systems
• Legal and Commercial Implications
• Industry Standards for Fiscal Flow Metering Systems (e.g., API, AGA, OIML)
• Key Components of a Fiscal Flow Metering System
• Flow Metering in Fiscal Flow Metering Systems: Requirements and Challenges
• Coriolis Flow Meters in Fiscal Flow Metering Systems and Custody Transfer
• Algorithms Used by Flow Computers to Compensate Raw Flow Signals
• Temperature and Pressure Measurements used in the Algorithms to Accurately Calculate Volumetric Flow Rates
• Definition of Relevant International Standards Related to Fiscal Metering and Custody Transfer
• Fiscal Metering Analyzers
• Documentation Requirements for Fiscal Flow Metering Systems
• Metering Agreements and Contracts
• Data Logging and Reporting
• Verification and Auditing Procedures
• Legal Considerations and Compliance

DAY FOUR: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS AND TROUBLESHOOTING

• Applications in Chemical Processing
• Applications in Water and Wastewater Management
• Common Issues in Flow Measurement Systems and Their Causes
• Diagnostic Tools and Techniques
• AGA3 and AGA8 Standards in detail, and relating them to API MPMS Standard
• Practical Experiment of AGA3 Sizing Software
• Metering Calibration and Validation
• Calibration of Flow Computer Input Channels
• Practical Application of One of the Famous Flow Computers Configuration Software
• Conversion of Volumetric Flow Rates to BTU Values

DAY FIVE: ADVANCED FISCAL FLOW METERING TECHNIQUES AND SAFETY

• Meter Provers
• Operating Procedures
• Measuring Quality of Petroleum Products using Analyzers in Fiscal Metering Station
• Online Gas Chromatograph (GC)
• Typical Flow Meter Provers
• Operation and Maintenance Carried out in Typical Fiscal Metering Stations
• Integration with SCADA Systems
• Advanced Proving and Calibration Methods
• Innovations and Future Trends in Fiscal Metering Systems
• Industry Safety Standards for Flow Measurement and Fiscal Metering Systems
• Risk Assessment and Management
• Ensuring Compliance with Regulatory Requirements
• Safety Protocols and Best Practices
• Conducting Safety Audits and Inspections