(a) LACT system components. Each LACT system must include all of the equipment listed in API 6.1 (incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3), with the following exceptions:
- (1) The custody transfer meter must be a positive displacement meter or a Coriolis meter. The specific make, models, and sizes of positive displacement or Coriolis meter and associated software that are identified and described at www.blm.gov are approved for use.
- (2) An electronic temperature averaging device must be installed.
- (3) Meter back pressure must be applied by a back pressure valve or other controllable means of applying back pressure to ensure single-phase flow.
(b) LACT system operating requirements. Operation of all LACT system components must meet the requirements of API 6.1 (incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3) and the following:
(1) Sampling must be conducted according to API 8.2 and API 8.3 (both incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3) and the following:
- (i) The sample extractor probe must be inserted within the center half of the flowing stream;
- (ii) The extractor probe must be horizontally oriented; and
- (iii) The external body of the extractor probe must be marked with the direction of the flow.
- (2) Any tests conducted on oil samples extracted from LACT system samplers for determination of oil gravity and S&W content must meet the requirements of either API 9.1, API 9.2, or API 9.3, and API 10.4 (all incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3).
- (3) The composite sample container must be emptied and cleaned upon completion of sample withdrawal.
- (4) The positive displacement or Coriolis meter (see § 3174.10) must be equipped with a non-resettable totalizer. The meter must include or allow for the attachment of a device that generates at least 8,400 pulses per barrel of registered volume.
- (5) The system must have a pressure-indicating device downstream of the meter, but upstream of meter-proving connections. The pressure-indicating device must be capable of providing pressure data to calculate the CPL correction factor.
(6) An electronic temperature averaging device must be installed, operated, and maintained as follows:
- (i) The temperature sensor must be placed in compliance with API 7 (incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3);
- (ii) The electronic temperature averaging device must be volume-weighted and take a temperature reading following API 21.2, Subsection 9.2.8 (incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3);
- (iii) The average temperature for the measurement ticket must be calculated by the volumetric averaging method using API 21.2, Subsection 9.2.13.2a (incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3);
- (iv) The temperature averaging device must have a reference accuracy of ±0.5 °F or better, and have a minimum graduation of 0.1 °F; and
- (v) The temperature averaging device must include a display of instantaneous temperature and the average temperature calculated since the measurement ticket was opened.
- (vi) The average temperature calculated since the measurement ticket was opened must be used to calculate the CTL correction factor.
- (7) Determination of net standard volume: Calculate the net standard volume at the close of each measurement ticket following the guidelines in API 12.2.1 and API 12.2.2 (both incorporated by reference, see § 3174.3).