Oil measurement techniques and operation of an offshore loading terminal, Dubai United Emirates, Arabian Gulf, Middle East

Fifty-eight nautical miles offshore from Dubai in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai Petroleum Co. operates the Fateh terminal, including two completely self-contained production gathering centers with common fill/export lines, plus a terminal-export facility consisting of two Single-Point Mooring Buoys (SPM), one of which (SPM 2) can handle 100,000 bbl/hr, a floating storage vessel, a fully manned and operational infield storage tanker, and two metering and pumping installations. The dynamic measurement system and ancillary equipment are installed atop the Khazzan 3 storage tank. Each of the four 16 inch turbine meters can handle 7,500-25,000 bbl/hr. The meter operation is computerized, but can be switched to manual during computer malfunction. A visual scanner-logger unit displays data on each 16 inch meter run, including flow rate, actual throughput, meter temperature, and the specific gravity of the oil being transported. Each meter's performance is continuously assessed with a 36 inch diameter prover.