Flare Gas Flow Meter Complies with New US MMS Regulation of Offshore Platforms

A recently enacted US Minerals Management Service (MMS) mandate per final rule, 30 CFR Part 250, Subpart K, Section 250, stipulates that all domestic US offshore rigs processing more than an average 2000 bopd must install flare/vent gas flow meters. The Model GF90 Flare Gas Flow Meter from US based Fluid Components International (FCI) complies with this mandate, and FCI is offering priority attention and delivery to its customers affected by this mandate.

“We are pleased to dedicate and align our resources to help our customers meet this US MMS flow meter installation mandate. We recognise that accurate flare and vent gas flow measurement is
important for compliance and the global environment, and we are ready to help FCI’s customers meet this challenge,” said Dan McQueen, President, FCI.

Existing customers and others affected by the mandate can utilise FCI’s special Toll Free MMS Regulation Hotline that is now available at 1-800-863-8704, Ext. 218, to answer flare flow meter questions. The hotline will be answered by the FCI Flow Meter Applications Group, which includes experts in flare and vent gas flow measurement.

After reviewing the new MMS regulation, engineers at FCI have determined that the advanced GF90 Flare Gas Flow Meter complies with its specifications and is well suited to provide a low-cost and effective solution for offshore flare and vent gas flow measurement. The GF90 is a proven flow measurement solution with hundreds of installations in offshore and land-based rig flares.

The advanced GF90 Flare Gas Flow Meter solves the problem of measuring widely varying flare gas flows that can range from very low flow leakage rates to upset event flows at very high flow rates. GF90 can deliver accurate flow measurement to as low as 0.25 SFPS to as high as 1600 SFPS [0.08 to 487.7 NMPS]. Capable of storing flow calibrations for up to three ranges and linking them, GF90 can achieve turndown up to 1000:1. It is available for service in a broad range of application conditions, including temperature service from -100 to 850ºF (-73 to 454ºC) and pressures to 1000 psig [69 bar
(g)]. The GF90 is an insertion-style flow meter that provides the easiest and low installation costs over other accepted flare flow metering technologies. Its small size also means it is easily transported out to and moved about on offshore rigs

The GF90’s transmitter features two independent, field programmable analog signal outputs of 4-20 mA which can be assigned to any combination of flow and/or temperature and digital bus communications are available optionally. It also includes dual alarm points with 2A relay outputs, which are user programmable to alarm at high, low or windowed and which can be assigned to flow and/or temperature readings.

Additionally, the GF90 is available with FCI’s exclusive and patented VeriCal™ in-situ calibration verification system. This optional configuration includes a specially plumbed flow sensor, added bench-marking calibrations and portable flow/pressure regulator kit. The system allows user verification of the flow meter’s calibration on site and while still installed within the pipe. This FCI exclusive feature can save thousands of dollars by avoiding un-necessary meter extraction and recalibration services and meets regulating agency’s preferred in-situ methodology.

A NEMA Type 4X (IP66) rated transmitter enclosure is standard. Optional Class I and II, Division 1 and 2, Groups B, C, D, E, F and G [EEx d IIC] transmitter enclosures and stainless steel enclosures as required by some offshore rigs are also available with agency approvals for Factory Mutual Research, ATEX, CSA. GOST/RTN, IEC, CPA and NEPSI.