Summary
Crude Oil Quality Association
Water Measurement Implementation Task Force
Houston, TX
September 27, 2001

Tariff Language – Harry Giles shared a slide on water measurement specifications gleaned from published tariffs and expert advice.  It was decided to recommend that tariff language be kept general.  References to specific tests like “centrifuge” should be eliminated in favor of phrases such as “agreed upon test” or “ASTM / API procedures”.  This would allow the best possible water measurement (Karl Fischer, centrifuge, distillation, something new, etc.) to be agreed upon for any given situation.

 Water Measurement - Tariffs - View this Document****
**(Requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Solvent Disposal for Karl Fischer - The solvent used in the field and lab for Karl Fischer (KF) is hazardous and must be disposed of properly.  This is not an issue with centrifuge, which uses Toluene.  Toluene is a natural component of crude oil and may be slopped to the crude.  One option for the KF solvent is to store it at the field location for consolidation and disposal of a later time.  This is viable but will add costs.  The COQA will do further research with equipment manufacturers and solvent suppliers.

Karl Fisher versus Centrifuge Results - Patti Edens of Equilon Pipeline noted that Equilon is gathering data on crudes shipped via Capline.  There is not yet sufficient data to make assumptions about statistical trends or crude types.  Clifford Mills of Conoco also shared data on centrifuge versus KF. Similar data was graphed by Marathon Ashland and used as an attachment to the COQA Water Measurement Discussion Paper.  The number of reference points used for each crude type has been added. 

Other

• Clifford Mills of Conoco, who is heading this task force, indicated that Conoco is initiating steps to put KF measurement in place at their field pipeline locations.

• The question came up about the field equipment for Karl Fischer and whether or not it is explosion proof for those areas requiring that designation.  The facilitator will investigate with the equipment manufacturers.
• Wayne Kriel of ITS Caleb Brett mentioned a prototype sampler they have developed, a presentation possibility for a future meeting.
• The issue of high-level mercaptans and high H2S causing interference with Karl Fischer readings may be significant and should be addressed.
• Doing a separate test for sediment will obviously add to the cost of a Karl Fischer program.  Jim Roche of Dyn McDermott volunteered to investigate doing a presentation on sediment, what it is and how it is measured, for a future meeting.

Harry Giles
COQA Facilitator
(216) 521-9213