UK national standards holder NEL is investing £1 million to create the UK’s only flow meter calibration facility capable of testing at significantly elevated pressures and temperatures.
This new test loop will reduce oil and gas operators’ financial exposure by performing meter calibrations closer to actual service conditions.
By more accurately reflecting the increasing temperatures and pressures at which flow meters must operate, the uncertainty of meters deployed in the field will be minimized significantly.
Douglas Griffin, Head of Petroleum Measurement & Allocation at the newly formed regulator the Oil & Gas Authority, said: “Both equipment manufacturers and operators face significant flow measurement challenges, with elevated temperatures and pressures causing a substantial gap between calibration and actual service conditions.”
The pressure capability of NEL’s high pressure/high operating temperature liquid flow loop will increase from 5 bar maximum capability to 100 bar, with its ability to deal with higher temperatures increasing from 400C maximum capability to 800C. The new facility will be fully operational during Q3.
Dr Phil Mark, Group Manager, NEL said: “NEL’s investment means that the UK is leading the improvement of flow meter performance in ever more challenging operating conditions. NEL’s new high pressure/high operating temperature liquid flow loop fills the gap between calibration and service conditions, allowing manufacturers to prove the performance of their meters, while operators and taxation authorities can be assured of more accurate fiscal measures.
“The findings from a recent Joint Industry Project, co-ordinated by NEL, into the effect of changing temperature and pressure on Coriolis meter performance was a principal driver,” concluded Dr Mark.
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