Metering systems are used throughout the entire oil & gas value chain, from allocation measurement during oil production up to truck and train loading of refined products at the refinery to guarantee an exact measurement.

A Measurement Skid is an automated system for measuring crude or natural gas comprising several measurement instruments assembled on a steel frame. It is used to determine the financial transaction during custody transfer metering. Metering skids can consist of several flow meters (Coriolis flow meters, turbine or positive displacement flow meters) for metering fluid flow, sampling/sample collection, analytical equipment for measuring product quality or BS&W (Basic Sediment & Water), a flow computer, densitometer, back pressure / thermal relief valves, air eliminator, prover connections, and a PLC control system.

Another term used for Liquid metering is LACT. A “LACT” is an acronym for Lease Automatic Custody Transfer. “Custody transfer” refers to the transportation of the crude oil or petroleum product from one entity’s possession or custody to another’s possession. The “automatic” aspect refers to the automated nature of this transfers, and the “lease” references the legal arrangement that is in place between the two entities. Essentially a Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) Unit is a piece of equipment which facilitates accurate measuring of the volume and quality of a petroleum product as it is transferred by automated means from the custody of one legal entity to another.

Depending on the selected technology and on the Client Specifications, the measured flowrate can be a mass flowrate or a volumetric flowrate. The metering skid often performs additional treatments, such as pressure-reduction by means of valves, filtration (depending on fluid cleanliness requirements for measurement), and flow control by means of flow control valves. Fiscal metering skids often include a calibration system (Prover) as well.

EPI&C Systems can help with the initial design, engineering, fabrication and on-site commissioning.