Enterprise-level Uncertainty Management

Uncertainty™ is an enterprise-level uncertainty management system that combines data from multiple applications in the Metrology™ suite to streamline the uncertainty process.

Uncertainty Management Uncertainty exists in every measurement. Values obtained are simply best estimates; the actual values could be greater or less due to a variety of factors, including instrument limitations, environmental conditions, and inherent variability.

Fiscal regulations require measurement uncertainty for custody transfer oil and gas systems to stay within limits of ±0.25%. Historically, demonstrating compliance with the regulations was a complicated process. Individual spreadsheets with complex bespoke calculations needed to be created for every metering station, and collating all the required data was an expensive, labor-intensive process.

By defining a baseline uncertainty and measuring deviations in real-time process data and equipment calibration data, it now becomes possible to derive a good estimate of the overall uncertainty of the measurement station in real time.

Uncertainty™ automatically combines data from multiple applications in the Metrology™ suite to streamline the uncertainty process. It can track installed equipment, schedule and perform calibrations and proves, and monitor real-time data, all with minimal input from the operator to ensure accurate and up-to-date uncertainty results.

By combining the uncertainty associated with each station with the real-time production totals and applying up-to-date market values, Uncertainty™ can identify potential losses and gains in terms of volume and dollar pricing. The result of these combined uncertainties can help with predictive maintenance and determining potential mismeasurements. This allows management to effectively deploy resources to address the areas with the most significant impact.

Uncertainty™ provides a clear view of system uncertainty, enabling organizations to manage and mitigate their overall measurement risk.

Seamlessly aggregate uncertainty data from multiple sources

Uncertainty™ takes manually entered values and measurement data captured from other applications within the Metrology™ suite to calculate the uncertainty in real time based on definitive calculations and methodologies outlined in ISO5168:2005.

Process Data Uncertainty – System stability is key to reducing measurement uncertainty. Profile™ receives and monitors real-time process data from a wide range of flow computers to ensure the process conditions remain stable and consistent.

Equipment Uncertainty – To produce a meaningful uncertainty value, all key equipment on a station must be taken into account. Inventory™ keeps track of each piece of equipment, allowing uncertainty to be calculated from a single manually entered value or, for a more comprehensive result, by combining manual data with data automatically acquired from other applications.

Calibration Uncertainty – Equipment must be regularly calibrated to ensure it remains as accurate as possible; otherwise, readings may drift from the actual values, introducing uncertainty. Calibrate™ provides a rigorous calibration program to ensure that all equipment performs optimally and stays within its designated error range.

Meter Prove Uncertainty – Approve™ calculates uncertainty by monitoring the prove results taken from the flow computer. This confirms that each meter is functioning within its operational boundaries and consistently produces accurate readings.

Uncertainty™ Features

ISO5168:2005

Uncertainty™ is based on definitive calculations and methodologies outlined in ISO5168:2005, capturing measurement data from many different sources to calculate the uncertainty in real time.

Enterprise Access

Users on the enterprise network can easily access uncertainty data without requiring access to the lower-level SCADA systems.

Issue Detection & Notifications

Profile™ monitors incoming data for anomalies. Uncertainty issues can be sent immediately by email, flagged in a daily summary email, and are archived for auditing purposes.

Uncertainty Reports

The uncertainty results for each meter are automatially calculated and collated into a multi-page PDF document which is stored in the database against the meter.

Exposure Charts

The daily uncertainty for each meter is plotted to show the historical performance. The uncertainty value is multiplied by the current oil and gas price to show potential losses and gains in dollar terms.

Dashboard

Measurement stations are ranked by risk level. Those with the highest level of risk are flagged on the dashboard, highlighting which stations require immediate attention.