© 2019 Department of Petroleum Resources. All rights reserved Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) PROCEDURE GUIDE

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(e) Name of tanker, if sampling is in respect of a shipment.
(f) Average tank temperature.

2.4.7.2.6 Sample containers shall either be clear or brown bottles or cans which have been
properly cleaned in the same manner as specified for sample cans.
2.4.7.2.7 Containers made of plastic materials shall not be used to store petroleum and
petroleum product samples. Such containers shall only be acceptable for sample transfers.
For every shipment, the facility operator shall obtain four samples of two- liter for the
following uses:
(a) One (two-liter) sample, shall be used for laboratory determination of the petroleum or
petroleum product cargo qualities at the facility.
(b) One (two –liter) sample shall be retained at the facility for a maximum of 90 days after
the departure of the tanker for any later confirmatory test in case of a dispute.
(c) The remaining two (two-liter) samples shall be handed over to the tanker master for any
desirable test by the consignee at the port of discharge. Container covers shall be of cork,
glass stoppers or screw-cap types only. Rubber stoppers shall not be used.

2.5 Automatic Sampling at Production and Custody Transfer Points
2.5.1 Definition
2.5.1.1 An automatic sampler is a device which, when correctly installed and actuated
enables a representative sample of the fluid flowing in a pipeline to be obtained.

2.5.2 Application
2.5.2.1 Automatic sampler shall be the approved device for obtaining samples of petroleum
or petroleum product when fiscal quantity is being determined with the use of meters
(Dynamic measurement method). It shall also be approved as standard equipment for
sampling tanks during fiscal quantity determination by static method.

2.5.3 Design of Automatic Sampling System
2.5.3.1 Design Principle
2.5.3.1.1 Liquid to be sampled is not homogenous, hence there is always a tendency of phase
segregation along the pipeline. Also, production/flowstation and especially custody transfer
processes are in batches, therefore sample collection shall be proportional to flow quantity.
2.5.3.2 Applicable Standards
2.5.3.2.1 The design, installation, operation and maintenance of the automatic sampling
device shall be generally in accordance with ASTM D4177/API MPMS Chapter 8 section 2
(8.2)/ISO 3171.
2.5.3.3 Sampler Probe
2.5.3.3.1 The probe shall be the in-line-grab type or any other type as approved by the
Director of Petroleum Resources.