Flow Measurement: The Lifeline of Oil & Gas Industry
Flow measurement is very critical to business economics of operation and survival of oil and gas industry sector as it ensures accurate monitoring and regulation of petroleum, natural gas, and other hydrocarbon fluids across upstream, midstream, downstream segments.
From exploration to production management to refining and processing to transportation and distribution / marketing, the entire spectrum of oil and gas operations depend on accuracy of fluid metering.
Besides custody transfer business profitability, there are no two opinions that accurate flow measurement and control drives process efficiency, safety, regulatory compliance, and profitability.
As global energy demands surge and India pursues ambitious targets for accomplishing Viksit Bharat vision for 2047, parameters such as quality, world class infrastructure and standardization play key roles to push the engine through economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability.
Fluid flow measurement and control technologies are the primary driver in the oil and gas sector for achieving the above objectives.
Adoption of emerging flow measurement and control technologies for custody transfer, reduction in fugitive emissions, focus on validation and certification, integrating diagnostics and new process automation protocols, smart and intelligent digital transformation (with AI/ML) for OT-IT infrastructure, etc., all define the current trends in the domain.
Fluid Control Research Institute (FCRI)in India is a globally recognized center of excellence serving various sectors such as oil & gas, power, water, process and manufacturing industries, besides space & aerospace, automotive, food and pharmaceuticals, etc.
As a Research Institute with Flow Calibration Standards that complement the fluid flow measurement systems at National Physical Laboratory India, FCRI has been providing technical services to the Industry in India and other countries for past more than 37 years.
FCRI endeavours to maintain its operational capabilities and standards at par with some of the best international facilities in the fluid flow domain.
Specific to the Oil & Gas sector, FCRI facilities serve a broad range of needs including:
- Model approval testing of fluid flow products ranging from custody transfer flowmeters to batch-controllers, retail outlet dispensers to valves, etc.
- Auditing of custody transfer metering skids onshore and offshore (API & AGA standards)
- Proving of pipe provers for crude oil (API standards)
- Calibration / Testing of custody transfer flowmeters including Orifice meters, Cone meters, Coriolis mass flowmeters, turbine meters, ultrasonic flowmeters, etc.
- Design development, testing and evaluation of multiphase flow metering subsystems
- Consulting on metering uncertainty and diagnostics
- Flow and mass balance assessments in City Gas Distribution Networks
- Third-party arbitration of custody transfer metering issues
- Flow measurement system assessment and Pipeline flow assurance programs
Coriolis mass flowmeter under calibration at the State-of-the-art Liquid Flow Calibration facility
Training for Tomorrow’s Energy Workforce
Technology is only as effective as the professionals who operate it. FCRI delivers standard and custom training in flow measurement, flow control & valves, custody transfer metering & validation, and emerging trends/standards in flow metering.
These programs have been helping the industry personnel update their competency levels, reskill and confidently continue their evolving professional demands to stay ever relevant in the challenging times.
Through scientific services in precision measurement, innovation, and skill development, Fluid Control Research Institute, FCRI, stands as a trusted partner in advancing the nation’s energy goals.