Optimize Crude Oil Transfers with KPS Automatic Sampling Systems

In the oil and gas industry, accurate measurement of the quality and composition of hydrocarbons during custody transfer is critical for both buyers and sellers. KPS systems are used for both custody transfer as well as quality measurement purposes.

Custody transfer is the point where the ownership of the product changes hands. At this juncture, seemingly minor inaccuracies can result in very significant financial discrepancies (millions up to billions). Imagine paying for paying the price of oil for the 0,1-5% of water in your batch. KPS systems are world renowned on their accuracy to representative sampling and their operation performance thereby paying back their investment within months or weeks. Help set up your claim department up for success in all instances.

With an installed base of >10.000 globally KPSNL.com is a leader in providing advanced automatic sampling systems tailored specifically for the oil and gas industry. This introduction provides an overview of how automatic sampling systems function, why they are essential for custody transfer, and the benefits they offer to businesses operating in the highly competitive energy sector.

What Are Automatic Sampling Systems?

Automatic sampling systems are devices engineered to capture and analyze fluid or gas samples from a pipeline, storage tank, or transfer line in a consistent and precise manner. In the context of oil and gas custody transfer, these systems are installed closest to the point of ownership transfer, where hydrocarbons are moved between parties, such as the offloading station of FPSO, jetty or terminal inlet.

These systems ensure that the sample is representative over the entire volume being transferred. By continuously extracting samples during the transfer process, automatic sampling systems provide a composite sample that accurately reflects the product’s quality and characteristics, such as density, water content, and other impurities. This information is crucial for determining the product’s commercial value and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Importance of Accurate Sampling in Custody Transfer

During oil and gas custody transfer, the product’s value is calculated based on its volume and quality. Any misrepresentation in the product’s composition can result in significant financial losses or disputes between the involved parties. Traditional manual sampling methods, while still used in some cases, can be prone to errors due to human intervention, inconsistent sample sizes, and potential contamination.

Automatic sampling systems, by contrast, offer precision and reliability that manual methods cannot match. By integrating seamlessly into the flow of hydrocarbons, they provide real-time data on the product’s quality without interrupting the transfer process. This real-time analysis helps to minimize potential disputes and ensures that both the buyer and seller have a transparent understanding of the product’s value.

Key Features of KPS Automatic Sampling Systems

KPSNL offers cutting-edge automatic sampling systems designed to meet the most stringent demands of the oil and gas industry. Our systems include several key features that make them highly effective for custody transfer applications:

1. Precision and Accuracy: Our systems are engineered to capture representative samples with unparalleled accuracy (using computational fluid dynamics and C1/C2 modelling), ensuring that the sample reflects the true composition of the entire batch of hydrocarbons being transferred. KPS has had over 30 years of experience in designing and delivering these system globally and a proven track record of independently tested (water test) and lab tested accuracy.  
2. Real-Time Monitoring: With integrated real-time monitoring capabilities, users can continuously assess the quality of the product being transferred. This data is essential for identifying any discrepancies or issues that may arise during the transfer process.
3. Compliance with Industry Standards: KPS’s automatic sampling systems are designed to meet international standards such as ISO 3171 and API MPMS Chapter 8.2, ensuring that they are compliant with the best practices and regulatory requirements of the oil and gas industry.
4. Seamless Integration: Our systems can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure with minimal disruption, making it possible to retrofit older facilities with modern sampling technologies.
5. Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand the harsh conditions often encountered in oil and gas operations, KPS automatic sampling systems are robust, durable, and require minimal maintenance.
6. Customizable Solutions: We understand that no two operations are the same. That’s why we offer customizable automatic sampling solutions that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each client, whether they are transferring crude oil, natural gas, or refined products.

Benefits of Automatic Sampling Systems for Custody Transfer

Improved Accuracy and Reduced Disputes: Automatic sampling systems ensure that samples taken during custody transfer are highly representative of the entire product volume, leading to more accurate measurement of the product’s quality. This helps to reduce disputes between the buyer and seller, fostering trust and transparency in commercial transactions.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Accurate sampling is a key component of regulatory compliance in the oil and gas industry. Many regions have strict guidelines governing custody transfer, and failure to comply can result in penalties, fines, or other legal challenges. KPS’s automatic sampling systems ensure that your operations meet or exceed these standards, providing peace of mind during critical transfer operations.

Cost Savings: By minimizing the risk of errors and disputes during custody transfer, automatic sampling systems can lead to significant cost savings for both buyers and sellers. The precise measurement of product quality and volume ensures that financial settlements are fair, preventing potential financial losses due to inaccurate data.

Operational Efficiency: Automatic sampling systems are designed to operate continuously without interrupting the flow of hydrocarbons. This not only ensures that the sampling process is non-intrusive but also enhances overall operational efficiency. Operators can obtain high-quality samples without slowing down or stopping the transfer process, which is particularly beneficial for large-scale operations.

Enhanced Data Collection: Modern automatic sampling systems from KPSNL provide detailed data on various quality parameters of the hydrocarbons being transferred. This data is valuable not only for ensuring fair transactions but also for optimizing operational performance, predicting maintenance needs, and improving decision-making.

Conclusion

In the fast-paced and competitive world of oil and gas, accurate custody transfer is crucial to ensuring fair and transparent transactions. Automatic sampling systems play an essential role in this process, providing precise, real-time data that is critical for determining the value of transferred hydrocarbons. KPSNL.com is at the forefront of delivering high-performance automatic sampling systems designed to meet the specific needs of the industry.

With our cutting-edge technology, you can ensure regulatory compliance, improve operational efficiency, and protect your financial interests during every custody transfer. Contact us today to learn how our solutions can enhance your oil and gas operations.