2013 - ONGOING
Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline Assurance Programme
BTC Pipeline Company
Published by
Gordon Inglis
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline Company, as part of their annual assurance programme, has independent audits conducted on the BTC pipeline system.
This programme, examining all activities affecting the hydrocarbon accounts and Shippers’ entitlement to crude oil, has been delivered for several years by Accord's technical auditors.
CHALLENGES AND SUCCESS FACTORS
Operator’s Contractual Obligations
The BTC pipeline, transporting hydrocarbons from the BP-operated Sangachal terminal to Ceyhan terminal on the Mediterranean, is a one of the world's largest oil pipelines. It receives, processes, stores, and transports crude oil from BP assets, and third-party Shippers, in the Caspian basin. The pipeline operator has a contractual obligation to source independent auditing services to examine the following activities which affect the Hydrocarbon Accounts
Metering
Sampling
Lab Analysis
Quality Bank analysis
Hydrocarbon Accounting System
Accord’s auditors, having extensive experience of these activities, assess compliance with Commercial Rules, International Standards, and good industry practice.
BTC Pipeline Audits
The audits involve a measurement auditor visiting sites in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Accord’s Hydrocarbon Accounts and Lab auditors visit BP and third party-operated sites in Baku during their audits. Audits are conducted against the requirements of the BTC Pipeline General Terms and Conditions.
Deliverables
Each year, our client receives an independent technical review from qualified and experienced industry recognised auditors. The audit reports identify issues and proactively propose solutions to ensure continued compliance with commercial and technical requirements and to mitigate potential financial exposure.
Accord’s audit reports provide the BTC pipeline operator with a comprehensive list of findings and recommendations, ranked by financial exposure, highlighting areas of strength and those for improvement. This enables the pipeline operator to demonstrate to stakeholders and Shippers the effectiveness of their systems of work and their level of compliance with commercial and technical requirements.
Sites Visited
Metering Audits
- Sangachal terminal, Azerbaijan
- Pump Station No. 1, Georgia
- Ceyhan terminal, Turkey
HVR and Lab Audits
- BP HVR department, Baku
- Third-party laboratory, Baku
Reference Standards
Metering Audits
- API MPMS Chapter 5 – Metering
- ISO 3171 – Petroleum Liquids, Automatic Pipeline Sampling
- ISO 3170 – Petroleum Liquids, Manual Sampling
- ISO 17025 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
HVR and Lab Audits
- ISO 17025 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
Lab Test Methods
- IP 601 - Determination of boiling range distribution by gas chromatography
- ASTM D5002 - Standard Test Method for Density and Relative Density of Crude Oils by Digital Density Analyzer
- ASTM D4052 - Standard Test Method for Density, Relative Density, and API Gravity of Liquids by Digital Density Meter
- ASTM D2892 - Standard Test Method for Distillation of Crude Petroleum (15-Theoretical Plate Column)
- ASTM D4294 - Standard Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum and Petroleum Products by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
- ASTM D4928 - Standard Test Method for Water in Crude Oils by Coulometric Karl Fischer Titration
- ASTM D445 - Standard Test Method for Kinematic Viscosity of Transparent and Opaque Liquids
- ASTM D473 - Standard Test Method for Sediment in Crude Oils and Fuel Oils by the Extraction Method
"Accord’s audit reports provide the BTC pipeline operator with a comprehensive list of findings and recommendations, ranked by financial exposure, highlighting areas of strength and those for improvement."
MEASUREMENT
Full Service Consultancy for Metering & Measurement
Accord’s measurement consultants support all aspects of measurement activity, providing solutions from conception through to operation. This can range from uncertainty studies and cost-benefit analysis to support the measurement selection process,providing advice and guidance on the most appropriate technology to use, system installation, operation, maintenance, calibration and audit.
Our independent, experienced team have worked directly on both the consultancy and operator side of metering and measurement processes — we know the regulatory requirements, we understand the key challenges and we 'speak your language’.
