Production Measurement Team

The BLM formed the Production Measurement Team (PMT) through the promulgation of new measurement regulations under 43 CFR 3170 - Onshore Oil and Gas Production: General, 43 CFR 3174 – Measurement of Oil, and 43 CFR 3175 – Measurement of Gas. The PMT operates under guidance from these rules and other Regulations and Policy.

The primary purpose of the PMT, as defined under 43 CFR 3170.3, is to act as a central advisory body for reviewing measurement technology, equipment, and processes. The PMT will recommend that the BLM approve those technologies, equipment, and processes that are capable of meeting the performance goals of 43 CFR 3174.4 and 43 CFR 3175.31.  The performance goals in these sections consist of:

  • Defined levels of overall measurement uncertainty:
    • This is the combined uncertainty of all the individual measurement components. The PMT quantifies the uncertainty of each measurement component, and defines the operating limits for which that uncertainty is valid;
  • Measurement that is free of statistically significant bias; and,
  • Equipment and processes that are independently verifiable by the BLM.

Once the BLM approves a new device or method through the PMT Review Process, any operator of a Federal or Indian lease, CA, or unit PA can use that device or process without any further review by the BLM.

Truck-Mounted Coriolis measurement systems

The Bureau of Land Management announced a rule clarification in Aug. 2021 that will provide better environmental protection, help oil industry stakeholders transport and deliver oil more efficiently, and provide better accountability for oil removed from federally leased lands.  The clarification allows oil transporters to use truck-mounted Coriolis measurement systems instead of traditional tank gauging methods.

In 2016, BLM brought forth a new rule, Onshore Oil and Gas Operations; Federal and Indian Oil and Gas Leases; Measurement of Oil, to allow development of new technology and to address concerns about accountability of oil transport and storage after a number of reviews and audits. Currently, BLM and the industry depends on truckers to use tank gauges to measure oil produced from on federal leases.

Truck-mounted Coriolis measurement systems provides major advantages over traditional tank gauging methods. The Coriolis meter provides a much higher degree of measurement accountability and can handle the rigors of transportation. The system also provides several benefits to oil producers and transporters. In many cases the system will allow only one person to transport the oil instead of two often required for tank gauging; the time spent at each stop is greatly reduced, so the driver can move more oil per day; and proper measurement ensures oil transports can be filled to the legal maximum, reducing waste and inefficiency.

The clarification of the rule appeared in the Federal Register. Transporters will have the option of using truck-mounted Coriolis systems in the field.