Engineering Procedure

SAEP-36 12 December 2013

Proving Systems Calibration Requirements
Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 Applicable Documents.................................... 2
4 Definitions and Acronyms............................... 3
5 Instructions..................................................... 5
6 Responsibilities.............................................. 7
7 Activity Matrix............................................... 11

Attachment I – Required Information

on the Prover Certificate....................... 14
Attachment II – Qualifications of the
Third Party Inspection Agency.............. 16
Attachment III – Approval Criteria....................... 17

Previous Issue: 2 January 2012 Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 17
Primary contacts: Kassi, Kouakou Lazare on +966-13-8801302
Torairi, Mohammed Saleh on +966-13-8801368

Copyright©Saudi Aramco 2013. All rights reserved.

Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

1 Scope

This procedure establishes the instructions and responsibilities for the calibration of the
following Proving Systems used in Saudi Aramco Royalty/Custody Metering Systems:
(1) Conventional Pipe Prover
(2) Master Meter
(3) Small Volume Prover (SVP)
(4) Atmospheric Portable Tank Prover

This procedure delineates the responsibilities of the following Organizations:

 The Proponent Organization
 Saudi Aramco Project Management Team (SAPMT)
 Process & Control Systems Department (P&CSD)

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this procedure and other applicable Saudi Aramco
Engineering Standards (SAES’s), Materials System Specifications (SAMSS’s),
Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings (SASD’s), or industry standards, codes, and
forms shall be resolved in writing by the Manager, Process & Control Systems
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this procedure in writing in accordance with
SAEP-302 to the Manager, Process & Control Systems Department of Saudi
Aramco, Dhahran.

2.3 Direct all requests for interpretation of this procedure in writing to the chairman,
Custody Measurement Standards Committee for resolution. The Chairman,
Custody Measurement Standards Committee shall be solely responsible for
determining whether a proposed request meets the requirements of this procedure.

3 Applicable Documents

The procedures covered by this document shall comply with the latest edition of the
references listed below, unless otherwise noted:

3.1 Saudi Aramco References

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-21 Project Execution Requirements for Saudi Aramco
Royalty/Custody Metering Systems

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

SAEP-50 Project Execution for Third Party Royalty/Custody

Metering Systems
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a Mandatory
Saudi Aramco Engineering Requirement

3.2 Industry Codes and Standards

American Petroleum Institute (API) Manual of Petroleum Measurement

Standards (MPMS)
Chapter 4.2 Proving Systems-Displacement Prover
Chapter 4.3 Proving Systems-Small Volume Prover
Chapter 4.4 Proving Systems-Tank Prover
Chapter 4.5 Proving Systems-Master-Meter Prover
Chapter 4.8 Proving Systems-Operations of Proving Systems
Chapter 4.9.2 Determination of the Volume of Displacement and
Tank Provers by Waterdraw Method of Calibration
Chapter 4.9.3 Determination of the Volume of Displacement and
Tank Provers by Master Meter Method of
Calibration
Chapter 11.4.1 Density of Water and Water Correction Factors for
Water Calibration of Volumetric Proving
Chapter 12.2 Calculation of Petroleum Quantities using
Dynamics Measurements Methods and
Volumetric Correction Factors
Chapter 13.2 Methods of Evaluating Meter Proving Data

4 Definitions and Acronyms

4.1 Definitions

Approve: Review and formal acceptance characterized by the signature of a

final authorizing individual or organization.

Atmospheric Portable Tank Prover: An open volumetric measure that

generally has a graduated top neck and may have a graduated bottom neck.

Conventional Pipe Prover: A displacement meter Prover having a volume

between detectors that yields a minimum accumulation of 10,000 direct
(unaltered) pulses from the meter. Conventional pipe Prover may be of either
the Bi-directional or Uni-directional type.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

Custody Transfer Measurement: A specialized form of measurement that

provides quantity and quality information used for the physical and fiscal
documentation of a change in ownership and/or responsibility of hydrocarbon
commodities. This includes measurement of hydrocarbon liquid movements
(deliveries or receipts) between Saudi Aramco and its customers, suppliers, joint
ventures and transport contractors including VELA ships.

Customer: The outside party that takes ownership or responsibility of a

hydrocarbon commodity from Saudi Aramco.

Master Meter: A meter used as a reference for the proving of another meter.

Proving System: A device used to generate a meter factor. Meters are proved
by passing a known volume of fluid through them at a known rate and
comparing this volume with a reference volume.

Royalty Measurement: A specialized form of measurement that is used as the

basis for paying Royalty to the Saudi Arabian Government.

Small Volume Prover: A displacement meter Prover having a volume between

two detectors that does not yield a minimum accumulation of 10,000 direct
(unaltered) pulses from the meter.

Third Party Inspection Agency: An independent inspection agency whose

function is to conduct an unbiased inspection of certain Systems, equipment,
materials, etc., against a set of standards, guidelines or procedures. For purposes
of this SAEP, the Third Party Inspector has particular knowledge of and
experience in conducting proving Systems calibration in accordance with
industry custody measurement standards and procedures.

4.2 Abbreviations
API American Petroleum Institute
BPV Base Prover Volume
CMU Custody Measurement Unit of Process & Control Systems
Department
CPV Calibrated Prover Volume
MINPET Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
MPMS Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards
MM Master Meter
P&CSD Process & Control Systems Department

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

SA Saudi Aramco
SAEP Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure
SAES Saudi Aramco Engineering Standard
SAMSS Saudi Aramco Material Specification System
SAPMT Saudi Aramco Project Management Team
SASD Saudi Aramco Standard Drawing
SVP Small Volume Prover
TPIA Third Party Inspection Agency

5 Instructions

5.1 General

This procedure shall be used in conjunction with existing international standards

and is not intended to replace the standards referred to in Section 3 above.

5.2 Reference Conditions

Item Metric (SI) U.S. Customary (USC)

Reference Temperature 15°C 60°F
Reference Pressure 101.325 kPa (abs) [0 kPa (ga)] 14.696 psia (0 psig)

Depending upon the facility and the application, either the U.S. Customary
(USC) or metric (SI) System of units shall be used.

Item Metric (SI) U.S. Customary (USC)

Mass Kilograms, Metric Tons Long Tons
Volume Cubic Meters, Liters Barrels, U.S. Gallons
Temperature Degrees Celsius (°C) Degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
Pressure Kilopascals Gauge [kPa (ga)] Pounds per Square Inch Gauge (psig)
Kilograms per Liter, Degrees API, Relative Density
Density
Kilograms per Cubic Meter (Specific Gravity)

5.2.1 Pipelines Originating at Gas Plants

All liquid hydrocarbons shall be measured using equipment registering

in U.S. Customary (USC) units.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

All volumes shall be expressed in barrels.

5.2.2 Refineries, Terminals & Fractionating Centers

All liquid hydrocarbons shall be measured using equipment registering

in U.S. Customary (USC) units.

All volumes except that of bunker fuel shall be expressed in barrels.

Bunker fuel volumes shall be expressed in barrels or gallons. Volumes
shall also be expressed in cubic meters when transfers are to be made to
Distribution Operations.

5.2.3 Distribution Bulk Plants & Air Fueling Units

Crude oil volumes shall be measured using equipment registering in the

U.S. Customary (USC) units and shall be expressed in barrels.

All refined products (e.g., gasoline, diesel, kerosene, Jet A1, JP4, JP5,
JP8, and fuel oil) shall be measured using equipment registering in
metric (SI) units.

Refined product volumes shall be expressed in liters, dekaliters or cubic

meters. Jet A1 and JP4 sales volumes may also be expressed in kilograms.

5.3 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

A Proving System shall be calibrated under the following circumstances:

a) Prior to shipment of a newly fabricated Proving System from a vendor’s
shop.
b) Following any modification or disassembly, reassembly of calibrated
section.
c) After replacement or adjustment of detector switches or neck scale.
d) Prior to initial use on site as specified in SAEP-21 or SAEP-50 as
applicable.
e) A permanently installed Proving System is relocated to another location.
f) Following repair or replacement of a SVP (piston or shaft).

5.4 Calibration Methods

Proving Systems used for Royalty/Custody Transfer metering systems shall be

calibrated either by the waterdraw or master meter method.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

The calibration of the displacement and volumetric Tank Provers using Waterdraw
method shall be performed in accordance with API MPMS Chapter 4.9.2.

The calibration of Master Meter using Tank Prover or Conventional Pipe Prover
method shall be performed in accordance with API MPMS Chapter 4.9.2.

The calibration of the displacement using Master Meter method shall be

performed in accordance with API MPMS Chapter 4.9.3.

5.5 Calibration/re-Calibration Frequencies

All new Proving Systems must undergo a calibration prior to being put in service.

All Proving System in service must be subsequently re-calibration following the

validity period depending on the calibration method used as indicated in the
table below.

Proving System Type Calibration Method Validity Period

(1)
Water Draw 5 years
Conventional Pipe Prover
Master Meter 3 years
Small Volume Prover: Stationary
Water Draw 3 years
and Portable
Atmospheric Portable Tank Prover Water Draw 3 years
Tank Prover or
Master Meter 6 months
Conventional Pipe Prover
(1)
Note : The initial calibration for new Proving System shall be by Waterdraw as per SAEP-21 &
SAEP-50.

5.6 Approval Criteria

The approval criteria for the Proving System calibration results are shown in
Attachment I. If the Proving System was not accepted, the operating
organization and Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIA) shall inspect the
Proving System, rectify the problem, and recalibrate the System.

6 Responsibilities

Saudi Aramco organizations with Proving System calibration responsibilities shall

ensure that their personnel become familiar with this SAEP.

6.1 Saudi Aramco Project Management Team (SAPMT)

SAPMT responsibility is limited to newly fabricated Proving Systems only.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

a) Request a list of Approved TPIA from CMU.

b) Initiate request to the approved TPIA for calibrating the new Proving
System at the site in accordance with SAEP-21 or SAEP-50, as applicable.
c) In case of Royalty Measurement, inform CMU of the new Proving System
calibration at least a month in advance to invite MINPET to witness the
calibration process.
d) Provide Proving System data (type, capacity, material, pipe diameter, wall
thickness, etc.) to TPIA.
e) Inform the Proponent to witness the calibration process for new Proving
System.
f) Submit the new calibration certificate with Proving System Base Volume
Calculation to Proponent for review and to CMU, in case of Royalty
Measurement to obtain MINPET approval.
g) Provide paper and electronic copy of the final calibration certificate to
Proponent & CMU in case of Royalty measurement.
h) Upon CMU notification, inform the proponent of MINPET approval of the
Base Proving System Volume for Proving System used in Royalty
measurement.

6.2 The Proponent Organization

The Proponent organization is responsible for the calibration of existing Proving

System, however, when the Proponent intends to assume responsibility for
project management (e.g., BI-1900 projects), then the Proponent shall be
responsible for the requirements specified in Section 6.1 above.
a) Request list of the approved TPIA from CMU.
b) Initiate requests to TPIA for in-service Proving System when the
calibration is required in according to Section 5.3. This request must be
initiated as early as possible to allow sufficient time for preparation before
the calibration due time.
c) In case of Royalty measurement of new and existing Proving System,
inform CMU of the calibration date at least a month in advance in order to
invite MINPET to witness the calibration activity.
d) Select the method of calibration according to Section 5.5 of this procedure,
except Conventional Pipe Prover, consult with CMU if there is concern on
selecting the method for Conventional Pipe Prover.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

e) Provide Proving System data (material, meter capacity, pipe diameter, wall
thickness, etc.) to TPIA.
f) Ensure all equipment used for calibration process have been currently
certified to traceable National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST)
or other internationally recognized metrology institution such as NMi.
g) The proponent should ensure that Saudi Aramco operation safety be
adhered to through the calibration process.
h) Ensure that all the necessary preparation of the site and minimum but not
limited Proving System verification as follows:
 Prover cleaning.
 4-way valve is in good working condition.
 The displacer should be removed from the Proving System and
examined before Proving.
 Piston Prover displacer may be subjected to a leak test as prescribed by
MPMS Chapter 4.8.
 The seals should be inspected and replaced if there is any sign of
mechanical damage or of softening by chemical action.
 Spheres should also be inspected for roundness and proper inflation as
per MPMS Chapter 4.8.
i) Witness the field calibration process and ensure that the TPIA is
performing the Proving System calibration in accordance API MPMS
Chapter 4.8 and others related Saudi Aramco procedures and sign on the
raw calibration data.
j) Consult with CMU if a technical inquiry about the calibration and/or
documentation process cannot be resolved in-house,
k) Ensure that the TPIA is performing the Proving System calibration
calculation in accordance API MPMS Chapter 12.2.
l) Review the draft calibration certificate.
m) For Proving System used in Royalty measurement, submit a new
calibration certificate with Proving System Base Volume calculation to
CMU for review and to obtain MINPET approval.
n) Update Flow Computer with the new approved Proving System Base
Volume.
o) Inform SAPMT of the completion of the new Proving System calibration.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

p) Put the Proving System back in service.

6.3 Custody Measurement Unit (CMU), Process & Control Systems Department
(P&CSD)

The Process & Control Systems Department/Custody Measurement Unit (CMU)

is responsible for providing technical assistance to the Proponent(s) & SAPMT
on matters pertaining to Proving System calibrations. Specific responsibilities
of CMU are summarized below:
a) Review the qualifications of the TPIA and make sure they meet all of the
requirements as per Attachment II.
b) Maintain the list of Approved TPIA.
c) For Proving System associated with Royalty measurement, inform the
Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources (MINPET) of the calibration
date.
d) Upon request from the Proponent, submit list of Approved TPIA.
e) If requested by the Proponent, provide assistance in selecting the method
of calibration for Conventional Pipe Prover.
f) Upon request from the Proponent, provide consultation if a technical
inquiry about the calibration and/or documentation process cannot be
resolved in-house.
g) Upon request from Proponent, review the Proving System calibration draft
calculation & certificate and make sure they comply to all the requirements
as per Section 3 and Attachment III of this procedure.
h) In case of calibrating Proving Systems in Royalty measurement, obtain the
approval of the Proving System certificate from Ministry of Petroleum &
Mineral Resources (MINPET).
i) For Proving System used in Royalty measurement, inform the Proponent
or SAPMT of MINPET approval of the Base Proving System Volume.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

7 Activity Matrix

The following matrix summarizes the general sequence of activities and corresponding
responsible organizations for calibrating Proving System. Detailed requirements for
each organization are specified in Section 6.

STEP ACTIVITY/WORK ITEM PERFORM

Review the qualifications of the Third Party Inspection Agencies and make
1 CMU
sure they meet all of the requirements as per Attachment II.

2 Maintain the list of Approved Third Party Inspection Agencies. CMU

SAPMT /
3 Request a list of Approved TPIA from CMU.
Proponent
4 Upon request from the Proponent or SAPMT, submit list of Approved TPIA. CMU

Initiate request to the approved TPIA for calibrating the new Proving System
5 SAPMT(1)
at the site in accordance with SAEP-21 or SAEP-50, as applicable.
Initiate requests to TPIA for in-service Proving System when the calibration is
required in according to Section 5.3. This request must be initiated as early as
6 Proponent
possible to allow sufficient time for preparation before the calibration due
time.
Select the method of calibration according to Section 5.5 of this procedure,
7 except Conventional Pipe Prover, consult with CMU if there is concern on Proponent
selecting the method for Conventional Pipe Prover.
If requested by the Proponent, provide assistance in selecting the method of
8 CMU
calibration for Conventional Pipe Prover.
In case of Royalty measurement of new and existing Proving System, inform
CMU of the calibration date at least a month in advance in order to invite the Proponent(2) /
9
Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources (MINPET) to witness the SAPMT
calibration activity.
For Proving System associated with Royalty measurement, inform the Ministry
10 CMU(2)
of Petroleum & Mineral Resources (MINPET) of the calibration date.
Provide Proving System data (material, pipe diameter, wall thickness, etc.) SAPMT /
11
and station flow rate to TPIA. Proponent
Inform the Proponent to witness the calibration process for new Proving
12 SAPMT
System.
Ensure all equipment used for calibration process have been currently certified
13 to traceable National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) or other Proponent
internationally recognized metrology institution.
The proponent should ensure that Saudi Aramco operation safety be adhered
14 Proponent
to through the calibration process.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
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Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

STEP ACTIVITY/WORK ITEM PERFORM

Ensure that all the necessary preparation of the site and minimum but not
limited Proving System verification as follows:
 Prover cleaning.
 4-way valve is in good working condition.
 The displacer should be removed from the Proving System and examined
before Proving.
15 Proponent
 Piston Prover displacer may be subjected to a leak test as prescribed by
API MPMS Chapter 4.8.
 The seals should be inspected and replaced if there is any sign of
mechanical damage or of softening by chemical action.
 Spheres should also be inspected for roundness and proper inflation as
per API MPMS Chapter 4.8.
Witness the field calibration process and ensure that the TPIA is performing
Proponent /
16 the Proving System calibration in accordance API MPMS Chapter 4.8 and
MINPET(2)
others related Saudi Aramco procedures.
Ensure that the TPIA is performing the Proving System calibration calculation
17 Proponent
in accordance API MPMS Chapter 12.2.
Consult with CMU if a technical inquiry about the calibration and/or
18 Proponent
documentation process cannot be resolved in-house.
Upon request from the Proponent, provide consultation if a technical inquiry
19 CMU
about the calibration and/or documentation process cannot be resolved in-house.
Upon request from Proponent, review the Proving System calibration draft
20 calculation & certificate and make sure they comply with all the requirements CMU
as per Section 3 and Attachment III of this procedure.
Submit the new calibration certificate with Proving System Base Volume
21 Calculation to Proponent for review and to CMU, in case of Royalty SAPMT(2)
Measurement, for review and to obtain MINPET approval.
Provide paper and electronic copy of the final calibration certificate to
22 SAPMT(2)
Proponent & CMU in case of Royalty measurement.

23 Review the draft calibration certificate. Proponent

For Proving System used in Royalty measurement application, submit new

Proponent(2) /
24 calibration certificate with Proving System Base Volume calculation to CMU
SAPMT
for review and to obtain MINPET approval.
In case of calibrating Royalty Proving Systems, obtain the approval of the
25 CMU(2)
Proving System certificate from MINPET.
Upon CMU notification, inform the proponent of MINPET approval of the Base
26 SAPMT (2)
Proving System Volume for Proving System used in Royalty measurement.
Inform SAPMT of the completion of the Proving System calibration for new
27 Proponent
Prover.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

STEP ACTIVITY/WORK ITEM PERFORM

For Proving System used in Royalty measurement application, inform the
28 CMU(2)
Proponent or SAPMT of MINPET approval of the Base Proving System Volume.

29 Update Flow Computer with the new approved Proving System Base Volume. Proponent

30 Put the Proving System back in service. Proponent

Notes:
1) SAPMT initiates calibration request for new Proving System. The Proponent initiates calibration
Request for Proving System in-service as per the frequency requirements set forth in Section 5 above.
For BI-1900, the Proponent will assume the responsibilities of SAPMT.
2) MINPET involvement is only required for calibration of Royalty Measurement Proving System.

Revision Summary
2 January 2012 New Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedure.
12 December 2013 Editorial revision to change the primary contact.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
Issue Date: 12 December 2013
Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

Attachment I – Required Information on the Prover Certificate

The final Proving System certificate should contain the following minimum details as per
API MPMS Chapter 4.8. Units of calibration should be as per Section 5.2.

1) Prover Identification

a) The site or installation Prover Serial number

b) The type of Prover in service

c) The name of the owner or operator

d) The name and address of the calibration authority or company which carried out the
calibration.

2) Product Information

The product name and density of the liquid flowing in the Prover when in service shall be
used in the computation of the Prover Base Volume.

3) Operational Details

a) The standard temperature (60ºF for U.S. Customary, or 15ºC for metric tables) for
which the Base Volume has been calculated.

b) Operating temperature and pressure

4) Traceability and Tracking Details

a) The date a new Prover was first calibrated

b) The date an existing Prover was recalibrated

c) Deviation of new Base Volume to previous volume if existing Prover

d) Method of Calibration

e) The date of issue of the certificate

f) Reference to the standard and procedure on which the calibration is based

g) The Third Party Inspection Agency shall sign each page of the certificate.

h) Prover serial number should be shown on each page of the certificate.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
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5) Prover Dimensions

a) The nominal diameter of the Prover

b) Description of the Prover material

c) Prover wall thickness

d) Prover coefficient of expansion

e) Prover previous Base Volume to new Prover Base volume to meet 0.05% deviation

f) Type of sphere, sphere size, color & type of fluid used to fill sphere in a case of
conventional pipe Prover

g) In a case of multi-volume displacement Provers:

● A clear identification of the detectors.

● The physical location of each detector

h) A copy of the final calculation and summary documentation.

i) A copy of the handwritten observation documentation signed by all parties as

witness to the original observation data.

j) Copies of the NIST or other internationally recognized metrology institution reports

of calibration for all the field standards test measures used.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
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Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

Attachment II – Qualifications of the Third Party Inspection Agency

The Third Party Inspection Agency shall meet all of the following requirements:

a) The agency has provided similar services for a minimum of 3 years. It shall submit a list of
companies for which it has provided similar calibration services over the preceding 3 years.

b) The agency's personnel performing the field measurements and calculations must have a
minimum of one year experience with the application of the API Prover calibration
standards. Experience shall be documented by submittal of resume and verifiable work
histories.

c) The agency shall have written procedures which meet the requirements of MPMS API
Chapter 4: Prover. It shall submit the written procedures for review.

d) The agency shall have equipment as specified in API MPMS Chapters 4.2; 4.3; 4.4; 4.5 &
4.8. It shall submit a list of the equipment it intends to use along with corresponding valid
calibration certificates.

e) The agency shall demonstrate it is ISO-certified and that it is actively administering a

quality assurance program. It shall submit a copy of its ISO certification and his quality
assurance program details for review.

f) The agency shall demonstrate that it is capable of performing the Prover calibration
calculations as per API Chapter 12.2 & Chapter 13.2. It shall provide a minimum of two
samples of previous calibration results, including field data and all calculations.

g) The agency shall provide financial and insurance documentations as deemed necessary by
the Contracting Unit to ensure he has adequate liability coverage for damages done to Saudi
Aramco facilities.

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Document Responsibility: Custody Measurement Standards Committee SAEP-36
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Next Planned Update: 2 January 2017 Proving Systems Calibration Requirements

Attachment III – Approval Criteria

The approval criteria for Proving Systems calibration results are as follows:

Calibration Acceptable Base Prover

Prover Type Number of Runs Volume / MF
Method Tolerance
Water Draw 2 at Normal Flow ±0.020%. Average of the
1 at 25% Change to Normal Flow ±0.020%. three runs
Calibration set I

5 consecutive meter factors by Proving the MM with the master Prover.

±0.020%.

CPV1
3 consecutive run volumes established by MM. Ave is CBV1
±0.020%.
Uni/Bi-Directional Conventional

Average of CPV1, CPV2 and CPV3

5 consecutive meter factors shall be determined after the runs ±0.020%.

Change Flow by 25%

Master Meter (MM)

Calibration set II

5 consecutive meter factors by Proving the Master Meter with the

±0.020%.
master Prover.

CPV2
3 consecutive run volumes established by MM. Ave is CBV2 ±0.020%.

5 consecutive meter factors shall be determined after the runs ±0.020%.

Change Flow by 25%

5 consecutive meter factors by Proving the Master Meter with the
Calibration set III

±0.020%.
Master Prover.

CPV3
3 consecutive run volumes established by MM. Ave is CBV3 ±0.020%.

5 consecutive meter factors shall be determined after the runs

±0.020%.

Small Volume Water Draw 2 at Normal Flow ±0.020%. Average of the

Prover 1 at 25% Change to Normal Flow ±0.020%. three runs

Tank Prover Water Draw(1) 2 runs ±0.020%. ** see note below

Adjust scale according to new volume

1 run ±0.010%.

Master Conventional 5 meter runs. MF shall be repeatable ±0.02%. Ave of 5 runs

Meter/Master Pipe Prover;
Prover

Notes:
For brevity of this procedure, only the standard Master Meter calibration method is illustrated. Refer to others acceptable
calibration method for Master Meter as per API MPMS Chapter 4.9.3.
For all types of Proving System, the deviation between the previous BPV to the new BPV should not exceed 0.05%, otherwise
refer to Section 5.6 of this procedure.
1) For neck verification, follow steps in API Chapter 4.9.2
2) Following the adjustment of scale, if final calibration run is within 0.010% of the target volume (e.g., 500 gallons,
1000 gallons, etc.), the Base Prover Volume (BPV) is considered to be equal to the target volume. If no adjustments are
made to scale, then BPV is the average value of three or more consecutive corrected volumes. The corrected volumes for
three or more consecutive calibration runs shall agree within a range of 0.020%.

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