Question 1

What is custody transfer measurement in the petroleum industry?

Accepted Answer

Custody transfer is the process of measuring liquid volume when ownership changes hands — at a pipeline takeoff, terminal loading arm, or tanker truck filling point. The measurement must be traceable to a recognized standard (API MPMS, OIML R117) and certified by an accredited laboratory. Lonetti prover tanks and test measures are the reference instruments used to prove that custody transfer meters are accurate.

Question 2

Which Lonetti products are used in oil refineries and petroleum terminals?

Accepted Answer

The most common configuration at a petroleum terminal is a Lonetti prover tank (50L–5,000L) for proving loading rack meters, combined with a water draw system for pipe prover base-volume determination. Tanker truck calibration towers are installed at terminals with large road tanker fleets. MINILAB® vans serve remote pipeline stations where meters cannot be removed from service.

Question 3

What API MPMS standards do Lonetti products comply with?

Accepted Answer

Lonetti prover tanks and water draw systems are designed and manufactured to API MPMS Chapter 4.4 (Tank Provers) and Chapter 4.9 (Calibration of Provers by Water Draw). Test measures comply with NIST Handbook 105-3. All products carry INTI calibration certificates traceable to international metrology standards.

Question 4

How do you calibrate a flow meter at a petroleum terminal?

Accepted Answer

A flow meter is calibrated by passing a known volume of liquid through it and comparing the meter's reading to the certified volume of a prover tank or test measure. At a petroleum terminal, a Lonetti prover tank is connected downstream of the meter under test; product flows through the meter and fills the prover to its certified mark. The difference between the meter reading and the tank volume gives the meter factor.

Prover Tanks & Calibration Equipment for Oil & Gas

What calibration equipment does the oil and gas industry need?

What standards apply to petroleum custody transfer measurement?

Contact