INTERTANKO

International Association of Independent Tanker Owners

Safe Transport, Cleaner Seas, Free Competition

A Final Report
upon
Crude Oil Cargo Measurement
Control
(CRUMECON) Project

CRUMECON Project
Objectives and Deliverables
Analise the Cargo quantity figures in the
CRUCOGSA database to establish the
extent of intransit losses.
Examine and correlate the extent of intransit
loss with the average True Vapour Pressure
of the cargo for the voyage and its Reid
Vapour Pressure.
Establish, if available, a cause for the transit
loss with reference to the volatility of the
cargo (an inherent vice)

CRUMECON Project
Developed Dilemma
An analysis of the CRUCOGSA cargo
figures revealed no loss of cargo from
the load and discharge port comparison
An intransit gain was found - very
similar to the average reported by the
PM-L4A statistic of + 0.03%.
Nearly every voyage reported vapour
releases during the voyage.

CRUMECON Project
Developed Cargo Calc. Procedure
Instead of using the conventional tables for
TCV/GSV calculations, a calculation
procedure to MASS with correction to
TCV/GSV was selected.
Procedure required the modeling of the
Density profile for each crude oil type for
application of Observed Temperature to
calculate MASS from TOV.

CRUMECON Project
Density Data available
CRUCOGSA Database
Approx 330 Crude Oil Voyages
with approx 330 Crude Oil Samples from both
the load and discharge ports
representing 67 crude oil types
each sample analysis supplies a density profile
of 10 data points over the observed carriage
temperature range

CRUMECON Project
The Perceived Problem
An error caused by a systematic error in the
cargo calculation method
The 1980 Volume Correction Factor Tables
derived from a data base of 124 samples and
690 data points
The sample was chilled to 50 deg F, settled
and the upper portioned siphoned off. This step
removed any wax that formed at 50 deg F and
the assorted solids in the original sample

CRUMECON Project
The Perceived Problem
Background -the Basis Equations for the
Crude Oil Tables
Alpha - the calculated expansion coefficient
K0 - a Constant/function used to calculate
Alpha - 613.9723 (kg/m3)/deg C
Where: a = K0/rt2
The VCF Equation VCF = EXP(-a*Dt*(1.0 + 0.8(a*Dt))

CRUMECON Project
Findings from Density Modeling
The Behaviour of Density over the Carriage Temperature Range
Arab Super Light
800

Initial Boiling
Point = 26.33 deg C

795

Cloud Point = 7.5

deg C

Density kg/m3

790

785

Water Corr. Density

780

Poly. (Water Corr. Density)

775

770

765
0

10

15

20

Temperature Deg C

25

30

35

CRUMECON Project
Findings from Density Modeling
The Behaviour of Density over the Carriage Temperature Range
Arab Super Light Compared with its Table 53A
800

795

Density kg/m3

790

785

Water Corr. Density

Density temp

780

Poly. (Water Corr. Density)

775

770

765
0

10

15

20

Te mpe rature De g C

25

30

35

CRUMECON Project
Findings
Assumption - The Cargo temperature on
loading is significantly above 15 deg C
(standard temperature) and approximated to
30 deg C
Given this assumption the Cargo figures at
loading port are understated by approx
0.25% - i.e. more cargo onboard than
calculated

CRUMECON Project
Findings
Assumption - During the voyage the Cargo
temperature cools and approaches 15 deg C
- Zero Error at 15 deg C - VCF = 1.00
Given the foregoing assumption, there is an
average intransit loss of approx 0.2% rather
than an intransit gain of 0.03%
0.2% of VLCC cargo = 580 m3 = 3650 bbls
= US $ 91,200 @ US$ 25/bbl

CRUMECON Project
Findings
A statistical review of the recalculated
in-transit difference population derived
a standard deviation of +/- 0.21%.
The derived standard deviation is the value
attributed in literature for the scope of
measurement error for two independent
measurements.

CRUMECON Project
Findings
After application of the Ideal Gas Law
relationship, the equation best modelling the
data population is:
Predicted % VOC Loss
= 0.4367 * Ln(1/TVP) + 1.0111
No VOC Loss will occur when the TVP is
below approx. 10 psia.

CRUMECON Project
Findings
Based upon the % VOC Loss Equation and the
mean Crude Oil TVP quoted in the CRUCOGSA
report 14.7 psia the annual loss of VOC to
atmosphere is calculated to be 4.973 million
tonnes.
Using the UKOOA loading loss percentage
(0.1%), the total VOC loss per annum from the
transportation of crude oil is estimated to be
8.686 million tonnes

CRUMECON Project
Interim Conclusion
As a result of reports from vessels operating
using either the VOCON procedure or valve
the in-transit releases are nearly eliminated.
It is also believed that the use of the
VOCON valve will reduce the extent of
losses of VOC gases during loading