The Importance of Calibration to a Traceable Standard in Custody Transfer Measurement Systems Onboard LNG Carriers

It is critically important that custody transfer should be measured with absolute precision on-board LNG carriers. A lack of measurement accuracy can lead to uncertainty in terms of product value, which then causes error in the financial transaction between buyer and seller. Global LNG trade reached over 372 million tons in 2022, and even the slightest error in all these transactions has a considerable impact. Conversely, accurate and reliable measurement ensures LNG will be billed correctly and thus avoids disputes and creates trust between stakeholders in the supply chain. 
Radar technology provides highly accurate level measurements in compliance with marine regulations as part of a CTMS on board gas carriers. However, the measurement accuracy of instrumentation can drift over time because of environmental influences such as extreme temperatures or humidity, as well as accidental damage. To counteract any deviations that might occur, it is essential to calibrate instruments periodically to see if they have drifted. Based on the calibration result the instruments can then be adjusted as necessary to return them to the required accuracy.