Measurement Technician

Pipeline Measurement Specialist

Join our clients as a Pipeline Measurement Specialist is responsible for overseeing the accurate measurement, accounting, and reporting of liquid volumes within a pipeline system. This includes monitoring losses and gains, verifying system accuracy, maintaining measurement devices, and supporting the pipeline operations team. The role ensures that all pipeline measurement and accounting systems are compliant with industry standards, and that accurate data is reported both internally and to external stakeholders. The analyst also plays a key role in troubleshooting, maintaining pipeline communication systems, and ensuring the proper functioning of flow meters and other critical devices.

Key Responsibilities

Monitor Pipeline Loss and Gains for Abnormalities

• Continuously track and analyze the pipeline’s liquid balance, including inflows and outflows.
• Identify and investigate any discrepancies or abnormalities in pipeline loss and gain data, investigating potential causes such as leaks, measurement errors, or operational issues.

Calculate Volumes for Tank Movements (When Necessary)

• Accurately calculate volumes related to product movements in and out of storage tanks, especially if volumes are impacted by pipeline operations.
• Ensure that volume calculations are in compliance with relevant industry standards (API, ASTM) and company protocols.

Maintain and Verify Pipeline Liquid Accounting System

• Ensure that the pipeline liquid accounting system is up-to-date, accurate, and aligned with operational and regulatory requirements.
• Regularly verify that the system is capturing and reporting correct data on product flows, losses, and gains, ensuring compliance with inventory management protocols.

Confirm Reporting with Third-Party Companies

• Verify data shared with third-party entities (such as shippers, regulators, and logistics providers) to ensure it is accurate and complete.
• Confirm that the reporting from third parties, such as transportation volumes and product quality data, is consistent with internal data and industry standards.

Oversee the OMNI Flow Computers

• Manage the operation of OMNI flow computers, ensuring accurate measurement of flow rates, pressures, and other critical data points.
• Ensure proper calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of OMNI flow computers, ensuring they operate reliably within operational specifications.

Verify Operations Team Completion of Paperwork Relating to Pipeline Measurement Systems

• Ensure that all documentation related to pipeline measurement (e.g., flow data logs, transfer records, maintenance reports) is completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Conduct regular checks to verify that the pipeline operations team is properly filling out required measurement-related forms and records.

Support the Pipeline Operations Team

Provide technical support to the pipeline operations team, particularly in the areas of measurement, data analysis, and troubleshooting.

Collaborate with the operations team to address any discrepancies, measurement issues, or operational challenges that arise during pipeline operations.

Support Operations as Needed

Offer support in troubleshooting and resolving issues related to pipeline measurement, flow calculations, or liquid accounting.

Assist with any ad hoc measurement or operational tasks that arise to ensure smooth and accurate pipeline operations.

Maintain Pipeline Measurement Equipment

• Oversee the maintenance and calibration of pipeline measurement equipment, including flow meters, gauges, and pressure transducers, ensuring all devices are operating according to manufacturer specifications and industry standards.
• Develop and implement a maintenance schedule to ensure that equipment downtime is minimized, and performance is optimized.

Maintain Pipeline Measurement Policies and Procedures

• Regularly update and maintain pipeline measurement policies and procedures, ensuring they reflect best practices, regulatory requirements, and technological advancements.
• Ensure that staff members are trained on updated policies and that operational teams follow these procedures consistently.

Oversee Calibration of Flow Metering Elements

• Ensure regular calibration of flow metering devices (e.g., turbine meters, ultrasonic meters) according to established procedures and schedules.
• Monitor the performance of flow meters and adjust calibration parameters when necessary to maintain measurement accuracy.

Oversee Flow Measurement Devices

• Ensure that all flow measurement devices are functioning correctly, including turbine meters, ultrasonic meters, and positive displacement meters.
• Perform regular checks on measurement devices to ensure accuracy and reliability, reporting any malfunctions or issues promptly.

Assist Operations with Pipeline Communication Systems

• Work with the operations team to ensure proper operation of pipeline communication systems, including SCADA, telemetry, and other communication networks.
• Help troubleshoot communication-related issues that affect the transmission of measurement data, ensuring reliable data transfer between measurement points and control systems.

1. Assist Operations in DCS Troubleshooting

• Provide assistance in troubleshooting and diagnosing problems with the Distributed Control System (DCS), which monitors and controls pipeline operations.
• Work with the operations and technical teams to identify root causes of DCS issues and implement corrective actions.

1. Liaison with Internal and External Individuals

• Act as a key point of contact between internal teams (e.g., operations, technical, and management) and external stakeholders (e.g., regulatory bodies, third-party contractors, service providers).
• Facilitate communication and coordination between all involved parties, ensuring that measurement data and operational issues are properly addressed.

Key Expectations

• Accuracy and Consistency: Ensuring all pipeline measurement data, from flow rates to volumes and losses/gains, is accurate and consistent across systems, reports, and parties.
• Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to troubleshoot and resolve measurement issues promptly, whether it's related to flow metering equipment, calibration issues, or data anomalies.
• Regulatory Compliance: The analyst must ensure that all measurement and reporting activities are fully compliant with industry regulations and standards, including those related to safety, environmental impact, and data reporting.
• Operational Support: The ability to support the pipeline operations team in managing daily measurement tasks, providing insights or assistance as needed to ensure smooth operations.
• Attention to Detail: Careful attention to detail is critical in ensuring that measurement data is accurately recorded and analyzed, particularly when reconciling pipeline losses and gains.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring clear, timely, and accurate communication regarding pipeline measurement data, issues, and operations.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to respond quickly to emerging issues, whether they involve measurement systems, operational challenges, or technical difficulties.
• Continuous Improvement: Identifying opportunities to enhance pipeline measurement systems, policies, and equipment, and working towards process improvements that enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Tools & Technologies Typically Used

• Flow Meters & Measurement Devices: Turbine meters, ultrasonic meters, and positive displacement meters for measuring liquid flow rates.
• Flow Computers: OMNI flow computers for real-time monitoring and data collection of flow measurement.
• Pipeline SCADA Systems: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems for monitoring pipeline operations.
• DCS (Distributed Control System): For controlling and automating pipeline operations, integrating measurement data, and managing alarms.
• Liquid Accounting Software: Systems for managing and reconciling product volumes and ensuring accurate inventory tracking.
• Data Analysis Tools: Spreadsheet software (Excel) and specialized reporting systems for analyzing measurement data and generating reports.
• Calibration Tools: Equipment for the calibration and testing of flow meters and measurement devices.

Performance Metrics

• Measurement Accuracy: Ensuring that all measurements (volume, flow, and loss/gain calculations) are accurate and consistent with operational requirements.
• Timeliness of Reporting: The speed and accuracy with which reports and data are shared with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Compliance and Audit Results: Adherence to regulatory and internal measurement standards, and the results of internal and external audits.
• Equipment Performance: The uptime and reliability of measurement devices, including flow meters and calibration equipment.
• Loss/Gain Reconciliation: The ability to minimize or resolve discrepancies in pipeline loss and gain calculations.

By maintaining accurate and reliable pipeline measurement systems, the Pipeline Measurement Specialist ensures the operational efficiency of the pipeline, as well as compliance with industry standards and regulations. Their role is critical in minimizing errors, ensuring data integrity, and supporting pipeline operations through accurate measurement and reporting systems.