Modeling of petroleum products sampling processes

AbstractThis paper describes a holistic approach to operation processes in the domain of petroleum products sampling which is important in validating the performance of custody transfer measurements. The acquisition and process visualization is followed by a detailed analysis of all relevant processes and discussion. In that way, the most important aspects related to sampling, which comply with the most rigorous requirements for custody transfer, will be shown. In order to represent petroleum products sampling, a model has been defined and connected to the defined processes in a BPMN 2.0 notation. Thereafter, the notation was enriched with new elements, representing other complex segments, such as defining selection criteria, sampling handling and operational considerations. In that regard, different situations and factors were integrated and enriched with new details, enabling guidance for the correct selection and smooth running of a sampling system.