Overview of API Standards for

Multiphase Flow Measurement

Lars Farestvedt
FMC Technologies

24 – 25 February 2016 Houston, TX

 Presentation Outline
• API Standards for Multiphase Metering

• Documents Scope – Highlights and Comparison

• Shall – Should Strategy

• Documents Structure

• Suggested Document Use Strategy

• CFR Title 30

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API Standards for Multiphase Metering

• API MPMS 20.3: Measurement of Multiphase Flow (COPM)

– First edition, Jan 2013

• API RP 17S: Recommended Practice for the Design, Testing and Operation of Subsea
Multiphase Flow Meters (CSOEM, SC17)
– First Edition, June 2015

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 Documents Scope
• API MPMS 20.3: Measurement of Multiphase Flow
– Surface and Subsea
– Multiphase (including wetgas)
– Allocation quality measurement
– Multiphase flow measurement principles, types and classifications
– Calibration, flow loop testing, in-situ verification
– For Measurement Engineers

• API RP 17S: Recommended Practice for the Design, Testing and

Operation of Subsea Multiphase Flow Meters
– Subsea only
– Recommendations for specification, sizing, system integration, testing
– Points to other API standards for qualifications testing and reliability
– For Delivery Engineers

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 Key Word Statistics
Word API MPMS 20.3 API RP 17S
# of Pages 90 42
Accuracy 19 18
Allocation 26 6
Availability 1 26
Calibration 46 11
Electrical 5 27
Failure 5 18
FAT 23 18
FMECA 0 7
Fiscal 6 5
GOR 6 2
Validation 2 9
Verification 48+ 16*
Reliability 18 56

• Verification+ – the process of confirming the accuracy of a meter (20.3)

• Verification* – the process that determines the extent to which a … product conforms to its
specifications (17S)

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 Shall – Should Strategy
• API puts this language in every published document:
– Shall: As used in a standard, “shall” denotes a minimum requirement in order
to conform to the specification
– Should: As used in a standard, “should” denotes a recommendation or that
which is advised but not required in order to conform to the specification

• MPMS 20.3
– Shall and Should used according to API language
– 71 Shall and 162 Should

• API 17S
– Shall referencing published API standard (E.g.: API 6A, API 17D, API 17F, API
17N)
– Should for all recommendations
– 33 Shall and 276 Should

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 MPMS 20.3 API RP 17S

SECTION 3 SECTION 4 SECTION 8

MULTIPHASE AND WET GAS CONCEPTS MULTIPHASE METER APPLICATIONS TEST REQUIREMENTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Teaching 1. Design Validation
Sections SECTION 4 SECTION 5 2. Qualification Testing
MULTIPHASE MEASUREMENT DESIGN CRITERIA 3. Factory Acceptance Testing
TECHNIQUES 1. Functional Specifications 4. Performance Tests
2. Governing Specifications 5. Integration and Installation
SECTION 5 3. Design Parameters Assurance
CALIRATION AND PERFORMANCE 4. Meter Sizing
TESTING 5. Performance SECTION 9
6. Mechanical Design COMMISSIONING
SECTION 6 7. Thermal Management 1. Commissioning Documentation
MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY 8. Subsea Architecture Interface a. System schematic
9. Electrical Connectivity b. Functional specs
SECTION 7 c. Installation manual
RADIATION SOURCE SECTION 6 d. Operations manual
SAFETY, HANDLING AND RADIATION BASED DEVICES e. FAT, EFAT results
TRANSPORTATION f. SIT data book
SECTION 7 g. Meter configuration files
SECTION 8 RELIABILITY I. Meter serial
METER SELECTION, SIZING AND 1. Reliability Strategy number
INSTALLATION 2. Design File II. Software rev
3. FMECA 2. Power Up
SECTION 9 4. System Analysis; Reliability a. Power load levels
INTEGRATION TESTING, INSTALLATION, Assurance Plan b. Comms check
COMMISSIONING AND 5. Qualification c. Local diagnostics
DECOMMISSIOING 6. Control System and Software 3. ICSS HMI Interface
4. Initial Flow Test
SECTION 10 5. Fluid Sampling
CALIBRATION, PERFORMANCE TESTING 6. Ops Handover documents
AND VERIFICATION
SECTION 10
SECTION 11 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
OPERATION 1. Field tracking of Performance
2. Configuration Parameters Audit
Trail
3. Maintenance
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 Suggested Document Use Strategy

MPMS 20.3 API RP 17S

Measurement Delivery
SMEs Lead

Subsea, Controls and

MPFM Delivery in Projects/Ops Reliability Engineers

• Collaborative multidisciplinary approach ensures successful deployment

• So we have done all of this --- What about sustainability in operation???

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The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Title 30: Mineral Resources
• Chapter II: Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement, Department of the Interior
– Subchapter B: Offshore
• Part 250: Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the outer
Continental Shelf
– Subpart L: Oil and Gas Production Measurement, Surface
Commingling, and Security
» Sections 1200 – 1205

• Definitions: API MPMS—the American Petroleum Institute's

Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards, chapters 1,
20, and 21
• References API RP 86

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THANK YOU

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Copyright 2016, Letton Hall Group. This presentation was
developed for the UPM Forum, 24 – 25 February 2016,
Houston, Texas, U.S.A., and is subject to correction by the
author(s). The contents of the presentation may not
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or administrator. Reproduction, distribution, or storage of
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made. For more information, see www.upmforum.com.

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