TECHNIQUES FOR NATURAL GAS SAMPLING
A DISCUSSION OF FIELD METHODS FOR OBTAINING SPOT SAMPLES
Randall Messman
SW Regional Sales Manager
PGI International
16101 Vallen Drive
Houston, TX 77041
Purpose subject of natural gas sampling. The American Gas
Association’s (AGA) Gas Measurement Manual, Part No.
Natural gas sampling is performed for a variety of 11, Section 11.3 is another often referenced reference.
reasons. Sampling is performed to determine total gas
composition, hydrocarbon dew point, specific gravity, and Accurate samples and proper sampling techniques of are
most importantly, the value of the gas. Three techniques of the utmost importance in determining gas composition
are normally used to obtain gas samples; continuous and specific gravity. Specific gravity is utilized in
composite sampling, continuous online sampling, or spot determining the flow formula which determines quantity.
sampling. This paper will discuss the various spot Therefore, any error in sampling equipment or technique
sampling techniques, proper sampling implementation, will not only effect the determination of composition, but
and equipment utilized to obtain spot samples. also of flow and have detrimental effects in determining
the fundamental factors utilized in determining price. In
Introduction short, proper sampling equipment and techniques will
ensure that producers, distributors, and end users are all
Natural gas production, storage, and distribution are on the same page and therefore allows for the proper
increasing at a staggering rate which makes accurate exchange of natural gas from an economic stand point.
testing increasingly important. Determining accurate gas
composition is important from not only an economic Costs associated with equipment, maintenance, and
stand point but also from a treatment standpoint. Natural training directly related to gas sampling is not only
gas is utilized as a feed stock, or raw material, for a necessary, but can prove to be instrumental in accurate
variety of petrochemical products. BTU and gas pricing. Therefore, accurate equipment and highly trained
composition is of vital consideration during the employees will pay dividends in accuracy that will
production of specialized products that contain natural gas translate directly into dollars.
and even slight variations of any number of components
will change production processes to obtain a consistent Gas Sampling
final product.
Sampling of natural gas has been performed in one way or
A gas sampling publication from the Gas Processors another from the advent of the discovery of natural gas
Association (GPA 2166-05) states, “The object of any 2000 years ago in gas vents in China. Sampling
sampling procedure is to obtain a representative sample of techniques varied for various reasons throughout history
the hydrocarbon from the system under investigation. and would be deemed inadequate when compared with
Any subsequent analysis of the sample, regardless of the today’s demands for not only accuracy, but repeatability.
test, is inaccurate unless a representative sample is Several sampling standards have been developed to
obtained.” The International Standards Organization ensure continuity across the industry; the two most widely
(ISO) standard ISO-10715 describes a representative known and popular standards being ISO-10715 and GPA-
sample as “A sample having the same composition as the 2166-05. The API has also revised its standard, MPMS
material sampled, when the latter is considered as a chapter 14.1 which was published in 2006.
homogenous whole.” The American Petroleum Institute
(API) Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards Personnel who will be sampling or collecting samples
(MPMS), Chapter 14.1, states “a representative sample is should be continually trained on proper techniques and
compositionally identical, or as near to identical as handling of any equipment associated with sampling as
possible, to the sample source stream.” This statement is standards and best practices change.
also quoted in the American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) International standard ASTM 5287-97. Poor technique, poorly maintained equipment, dirty
These published standards are the most commonly equipment, and divergence from standard testing
referenced materials in the industry concerning the
procedures are all variables that will negatively impact the area of the process pipe in which turbulence is at a
accuracy of the samples taken. minimum. Turbulence causes contaminants at the bottom
of the pipe to be stirred up and could potentially cause the
Components of a Gas Sampling System contaminants to be included in the sample thereby
providing a sample that is not representative of the gas
Tubing – Gas will be transferred from the process line to being sampled. Turbulence is caused by bends, valves,
the sample chamber via tubing or piping. For the purpose headers and any other items that restrict, change, or
of this paper, the terms tubing and piping will be impact the “normal” flow of gas. Various probe tips are
interchangeable. It is important that tubing utilized to available but testing has verified that different tip
transfer the gas from the process to the collection configurations due not impact or increase sample
chamber be as short in length and small in diameter as accuracy. The most important considerations in regards
possible. The will reduce the amount of time between the to the sample probe/sample probe assembly is that the end
sample point and the collection chamber thereby of the probe be placed in the middle 1/3 of the pipe and
maintaining the sample’s integrity. that the integrated valve in the probe assembly function
properly.
Valves – Isolating different parts of the sample system is
important for obvious reasons during different times in Sample Cylinders – Used primarily in the collection of
the sample procedure, installation, and maintenance of purely gas samples or samples with light liquid
equipment. An important factor to consider when hydrocarbons.
positioning valves is the phenomenon of condensation.
When gas experiences a restriction (partially closed Spun end cylinders are the most common form of sample
valve) a pressure drop ensues causing condensation which cylinders. Care should be taken with the valves used for
causes inaccurate samples. This phenomenon is known as isolation in the sample cylinder. Valves should contain
The Hydrocarbon Dew Point and is explained in greater safety devices or rupture disks in case the cylinder is
detail later in this paper. Valves should also be checked exposed to a heat source. Instances have been noted that
for leaks during installation and normal operation. Leaks cylinders without proper safety devices installed on the
at the sample cylinder are very important because the valves containing gas samples have exploded when
leaks will cause the lighter components of the gas to exposed to extreme amounts of heat.
escape leaving the heavier components (C3, C4, etc.)
overrepresented in the sample and therefore providing a Constant Pressure Cylinders (CP) are an alternative to a
non-representative sample. Larger orifices in valves will single cavity or spun end cylinder. CP cylinders are also
reduce fractionalization of the sample. Experience has known as floating piston cylinders. The cylinder takes the
also determined that soft seats are preferable in valves form of a closed end cylinder with an internal piston. The
utilized in sampling systems. cylinder is prepared for use by pressurizing one end or
side of the cylinder forcing the piston to the cylinder end.
Filters – Proper selection of filter flow capacity and When the spot sample is pulled, the sampled product is
particle size is of significant consideration due to filters collected and stored at whatever pressure that was initially
with insufficient drip pot capacity for gases that have utilized to “charge” the cylinder. Utilizing CP cylinders
entrained water, liquid, or condensate. Filters that have allows a sample to be collected at a pressure which is
insufficient flow capacity and drip pot capacity will above the vapor pressure of the light ends present in the
directly impact accuracy. natural gas. Having the floating piston in the cylinder
eliminates the need for excessive purging. Constant
Heating Elements – To prevent condensation of the pressure cylinders help guarantee that the sample taken is
sample, heating elements maintain a constant temperature composed only of the gas in the system and does not
above the hydrocarbon dew point preventing any part of include any ambient air or other contaminants.
the sample from condensing. Knowledge of ambient
temperatures and dew point levels will determine the Materials used for construction of cylinders should be
necessity of including heating elements in specific considered in reference to various components of the gas
sampling applications. being sampled. For instance, H2S or hydrogen sulfide
can be absorbed into the atomic structure of 316 stainless
Probes – As the part of the sampling system that is steel and thereby contaminate any subsequent tests
directly installed into the process, certain considerations utilizing the same sample cylinders. If H2S is present, a
should be taken in regards to the probe assembly. proper coating should be considered for the interior of the
Installation of the probe is recommended on the top of the sample cylinder.
pipe with the probe extending into the middle 1/3 of the
pipe from which the sample is being gathered. For large Burst pressure disks or relief valves should also be of the
diameter pipes, the probe should extend at least 200 mm utmost consideration when utilizing single cavity or spun
or 8 inches into the pipe if the middle 1/3 of the pipe is end cylinders. Without a method to reduce an over
greater than 8 inches. Probes should also be placed in an pressure scenario serious injury or death can result.
Clean sample cylinders are of the utmost importance. of time or a specific amount of flow. Therefore,
Any residual particles present in the sample cylinder will composite sampling is normally described as either “Flow
cause inaccurate samples. Based” or “Time Based.” Continuous sampling is exactly
like it sounds, continuous. Spot sampling is taking a
Material Selection – Any materials utilized in the sample at a given point in time. This difference is very
equipment used for obtaining samples should be important when considering the definition of a
compatible with the gas being sampled. Normally, 316 representative sample. Therefore, a spot sample may or
stainless steel and Viton elastomeric components are may not necessarily be “representative” of the gas flow
compatible in the vast majority of sampling situations. when considered as a whole.
However, the end user is ultimately responsible for
determining chemical compatibility in regards to their Spot sampling was the primary method for obtaining
specific gas composition. samples prior to the early 1970’s. Spot sampling is still
widely utilized today when one considers that “Time” and
Location of Sample Point “Flow” based composite sampling is simply a series of
very small “Spot” samples over a period of time or flow.
The location of the sample point should be in a section of
the pipeline that includes a positive velocity, minimum Early spot sampling was performed by simply connecting
turbulence, and the sample tap being located on the top of a sample cylinder to the pipe line until the pressure in the
the pipe. sample cylinder reached that of the pipeline. The cylinder
was then removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Hydrocarbon Dew Point Laboratories would test the sample using either a
chromatograph or calorimeter. During this time the BTU
Arguably, the most important factor when performing any value or “quality” of the gas was becoming increasingly
type of gas sampling is the hydrocarbon dew point. In the important for producers, distributors, and end users. The
simplest terms, hydrocarbon dew point is the point at sampling method at the time was suspected of introducing
which the gas components begin to change phase from various contaminants and thereby providing erroneous
gaseous to liquid. When phase change occurs, certain data in regards to the actual gas composition and BTU
components of the gas stream “drop out” and form liquids value. The Fill and Purge method was adopted and after a
thereby making an accurate gas sample impossible to period of time, it was determined that this method was
obtain. The hydrocarbon dew point is a function of gas causing condensation and therefore the GPA method was
composition and pressure. A hydrocarbon dew point adopted. This method utilizes a manifold or a “pig tail”
curve is a reference chart that determines the specific for filling the single cavity cylinder. This method reduced
pressure and temperature at which condensation occurs. the negative effects connected to the “fill only”
No two hydrocarbon dew point curves are alike due to procedure. The manifold allows the gas to be trapped in
differing gas compositions. the cylinder instead of “dead ended” into the cylinder. In
addition, sampling situations with free liquids present in
the pipeline required an additional approach and the GPA
liquid separator was developed and added to the
technique.
Types of Spot Sampling
Standards for spot sampling procedures are contained in
GPA Standard 2166. Eight methods of sampling are
accepted. Sample cylinders should be clean prior to
employing any of these methods. The methods are:
1. Evacuated Container Method.
2. Reduced Pressure Method.
3. Helium Pop Method.
Figure 1 4. Floating Piston Cylinder Method.
Example Hydrocarbon Dew Point Curve 5. Water Displacement Method.
6. Glycol Displacement Method.
Spot Sampling 7. Purging – Fill and Empty Method.
8. Purging – Controlled Rate Method.
Spot sampling, by definition, is different from composite
sampling or constant sampling. Composite sampling is The evacuated container method, reduced pressure
performed when a sample is taken over a specific amount method, and helium pop method all require evacuating the
sample container to 1 mm Hg (1/2” H20) or less, absolute 7. Close the cylinder inlet valve. Open the “pig
pressure. The floating piston cylinder method, glycol tail” line valve and the vent the container
displacement method, and water displacement method are through the “pig tail” to almost atmospheric
constant pressure methods and choices to be considered pressure. Close the “pig tail” extension valve.
when the pressure inside the sample cylinder must remain 8. Open the cylinder inlet valve and allow the
equal to the line pressure during the sample procedure. pressure to build up rapidly to sample supply
Several methods are accepted for obtaining spot samples, pressure.
but the two most widely used are the purging – fill and 9. Repeat step 7 and 8 to comply with Figure 3.
empty method in GPA-2166-05, Section 9.1 and the Table represents the minimum number of cycles
floating piston method in section 9.7. required to effectively purge the container of the
original gas in the cylinder.
Example Procedure for Fill and Empty Method
Fill and Empty Purge Cycles
Maximum Gas Pressure Number of Fill
in container, psig and Purge Cycle
15-29 13
30-59 8
60-89 6
90-149 5
150-500 4
>500 3
# of Purge Cycles = log (x)y
Where:
X = atmospheric pressure + fill pressure (psia)
Y= maximum allowable mole fraction of components
Figure 3
Fill and Empty Purge Cycle Chart
This method will normally yield a “good” spot sample.
Figure 2 However, one must take into consideration that a spot
Purging, Fill and Empty and Purging Controlled Rate sample is not necessarily representative of the overall
Methods Example Sample Setup quality and composition of the gas over a given flow or
time. A spot sample is only representative of the gas
Spot sampling procedures should be obtained from the quality and composition at the time the sample was
publications already referenced or from a company’s taken and should not be used to determine gas quality
standard operating procedure (SOP). This paper is not and composition over a given time or volume of gas
intended to provide an exhaustive reference for spot greater than that of the time and volume experienced
sampling. However, for informational purposes only, a during the spot sample procedure.
description of a typical spot sample procedure follows.
Transportation and Analysis
1. Open valve at sample point and blow out any
accumulated material. Close valve at sample After the sample has been obtained it will be transported
point. to a laboratory for analysis. All samples being
2. Install sample cylinder in the vertical position. transported must meet and comply with The United States
Cylinders installed horizontally will cause Department of Transportation (DOT) certification. CFR –
heavier components of the gas stream to settle in 49 covers the rules and regulations required for
the lower part of the cylinder and cause transporting samples under pressure. Other
inaccurate sample gathering. considerations include:
3. With all valves closed, open the sample valve at
the sampling point to the fully open position. 1. Proper tagging of cylinder for time, date, and
4. Open purge valve at sampling point and blow out location
any accumulated material. Close purge valve. 2. Pressure and temperature of source gas
5. Slowly open the cylinder inlet valve to pressure 3. Technician that obtained sample
up the cylinder. Open the cylinder outlet valve. 4. Method used for obtaining sample
Open the “pig tail” line valve. Purge the line 5. Leak checks
slowly with the gas to displace air. 6. Proper protection of cylinder for transport
6. Close the “pig tail” line valve and allow pressure 7. Ambient temperature concerns during
to build up rapidly to the sample supply pressure. transportation
References
Considerations for analysis include calibration standards
utilized at different laboratories. Ensure that the “Techniques of Natural Gas Spot Sampling,” D.J. Fish,
calibration standard includes elements similar to the gas April 2002
being analyzed. If the calibration standard does not
include all elements of the sample being tested the BTU “Determining Accurate Gas Quality” L. Witt
measurement can be compromised.
“Proper Sampling of Light Hydrocarbons,” O. Broussard,
Conclusion Oil and Gas Journal, September 1977
Accurate samples of gas are vital to determining “Methods for Obtaining Natural Gas Samples for
components and quality of gas. Spot sampling is not Analysis by Gas Chromatography” OPA 2166-68 Gas
always representative of gas quality and components over Processors Association
a given time or volume of gas. Procedures and techniques
should either be derived or followed from the references “Methods, Equipment, and Installation of Composite
mentioned in this paper. Testing methods, techniques, Hydrocarbon Sampling Systems, “ D.J. Fish, Presented at
and equipment can all affect the quality of the sample Belgian Institute for Regulation and Automation,
taken. Great care should be taken when obtaining Brussels, Belgium, 1993
samples in order to ensure that the most accurate sample
is obtained. Accurate samples translate directly to the GPA 2166 2005
bottom line of all companies.
API 14.1
