Natural gas is primarily measured by volume, specifically in cubic feet, under standardized conditions.
Standard Conditions for Measurement
- Temperature: Gas is often measured at a standard temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pressure: The standard atmospheric pressure for measurement is 14.7 pounds per square inch.
These standardized conditions ensure consistent and comparable measurements across different locations and times.
Common Units of Measurement
Cubic Feet (cf)
The base unit for measuring natural gas is the cubic foot. This represents the volume of gas that would fill a cube, one foot on each side.
Thousands of Cubic Feet (Mcf)
- Natural gas production from wells is often discussed in thousands of cubic feet (Mcf).
- Example: A well might produce 100 Mcf per day.
Millions of Cubic Feet (MMcf)
- Larger volumes, such as daily or monthly production, are frequently measured in millions of cubic feet (MMcf).
- Example: A natural gas field might produce 50 MMcf per day.
Trillions of Cubic Feet (Tcf)
- Resource and reserve estimations are quantified in trillions of cubic feet (Tcf).
- Example: A proven natural gas reserve might hold 10 Tcf.
How Measurement is Done
Natural gas measurement involves sophisticated systems and processes, primarily using flow meters. These meters are placed in pipelines to record the volume of gas passing through them. Here's a generalized approach:
- Flow Meter Installation: Flow meters are installed at strategic points in the pipeline system.
- Volume Measurement: The meters measure the actual volume of gas passing through them.
- Correction for Standard Conditions: Since actual gas flow conditions (temperature and pressure) can fluctuate, measurements are adjusted to standard conditions (60°F and 14.7 psi) to get accurate measurements for billing and reporting.
- Data Collection: Meter data is collected and used for accounting and analysis of gas consumption.
Key Points to Remember
- Measurement is always converted to standardized conditions to ensure accuracy.
- Different scales like Mcf, MMcf and Tcf are used based on the quantity of the gas.
