Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards Chapter 5—Metering

Section 2—Measurement of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Displacement Meters

THIRD EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2005 REAFFIRMED, DECEMBER 2020

Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards Chapter 5—Metering

Section 2—Measurement of Liquid Hydrocarbons by Displacement Meters

Measurement Coordination

THIRD EDITION, SEPTEMBER 2005 REAFFIRMED, DECEMBER 2020

SPECIAL NOTES

API publications necessarily address problems of a general nature. With respect to partic- ular circumstances, local, state, and federal laws and regulations should be reviewed.

Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontractors, consultants, committees, or other assignees make any warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the information contained herein, or assume any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or process disclosed in this publication. Neither API nor any of API’s employees, subcontrac- tors, consultants, or other assignees represent that use of this publication would not infringe upon privately owned rights.

API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been made by the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however, the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publication and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from its use or for the violation of any authorities having jurisdiction with which this publi- cation may conflict.

API publications are published to facilitate the broad availability of proven, sound engi- neering and operating practices. These publications are not intended to obviate the need for applying sound engineering judgment regarding when and where these publications should be utilized. The formulation and publication of API publications is not intended in any way to inhibit anyone from using any other practices.

Any manufacturer marking equipment or materials in conformance with the marking requirements of an API standard is solely responsible for complying with all the applicable requirements of that standard. API does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that such prod- ucts do in fact conform to the applicable API standard.

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the publisher. Contact the Publisher,

API Publishing Services, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Copyright © 2005 American Petroleum Institute

FOREWORD

Chapter 5 of the API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards (API MPMS) pro- vides recommendations, based on best industry practice, for the custody transfer metering of liquid hydrocarbons. The various sections of this Chapter are intended to be used in con- junction with API MPMS Chapter 6 to provide design criteria for custody transfer metering encountered in most aircraft, marine, pipeline, and terminal applications. The information contained in this chapter may also be applied to non-custody transfer metering.

The chapter deals with the principal types of meters currently in use: displacement meters, turbine meters and Coriolis meters. If other types of meters gain wide acceptance for the measurement of liquid hydrocarbon custody transfers, they will be included in subsequent sections of this chapter.

Nothing contained in any API publication is to be construed as granting any right, by impli- cation or otherwise, for the manufacture, sale, or use of any method, apparatus, or product covered by letters patent. Neither should anything contained in the publication be construed as insuring anyone against liability for infringement of letters patent.

This document was produced under API standardization procedures that ensure appropriate notification and participation in the developmental process and is designated as an API stan- dard. Questions concerning the interpretation of the content of this publication or comments and questions concerning the procedures under which this publication was developed should be directed in writing to the Director of Standards, American Petroleum Institute, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001. Requests for permission to reproduce or translate all or any part of the material published herein should also be addressed to the director.

Generally, API standards are reviewed and revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn at least every five years. A one-time extension of up to two years may be added to this review cycle. Status of the publication can be ascertained from the API Standards Department, telephone (202) 682-8000. A catalog of API publications and materials is published annually and updated quarterly by API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001.

Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the Standards and Publications Department, API, 200 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20001, standards@api.org.

iii

CONTENTS

Page

1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. SCOPE 1

3. FIELD OF APPLICATION 1

4. REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS 1

5. METER PERFORMANCE 1

   1. Meter Readout Adjustment Methods 1

   2. Causes of Variations in Meter Factor 2

v