Feature

How to ensure flow measurement accuracy in oil and gas

In the oil and gas industry, accuracy in flow measurement equals money. This is why meter provers are an essential quality assurance (QA) step in the sector, as any discrepancies can lead to severe financial losses or, in extreme scenarios, have legal ramifications.

03/11/2025 15:46:33

Here, Ian Loudon, International Sales and Marketing Manager at Omniflex, discusses the importance of meter proving. He shares an example of a recent meter proving project the company delivered for Kalibra OGC Services to use at various facilities in Angola and Nigeria.

A meter prover is used to calibrate and verify the accuracy of flow meters, which measure the volume or mass of fluids, typically hydrocarbons, passing through a pipeline. Because even small measurement errors can lead to substantial financial losses, especially in the oil and gas sector, regularly proving meters is an important QA step.

Meter provers establish a traceable standard against which a flow meter’s performance can be judged. They are used to confirm that a meter’s readings fall within acceptable tolerance of a known reference volume, ensuring the reliability of custody transfer and fiscal metering systems.

Read the full article in DPA's November 2025 issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.