Publication of the proposal to review the Technical Regulation for Measurement of Oil and Natural Gas (RTM) of ANP and Inmetro

The Joint Resolution ANP/INMETRO 001/2013, with a proposal to review the Technical Regulation for Measurement of Oil and Natural Gas (RTM) is now available for public consultation. The document aims to establish the requirements and conditions to be observed by the oil and natural gas measurement systems, ensuring the reliability of the measurement results.

The objective of this review of the RTM is to obtain subsidies and contributions from interested parties to prepare the Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) regarding the most relevant points of the resolution to be reviewed. To access the document, click on this link.

The main points in the review of the Regulation

The National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), in partnership with Inmetro, prepared the Technical Regulation for  Measurement, which sets out the requirements applicable to the measurement systems of oil and natural gas production and transport facilities. These measurement systems have a direct impact on the collection of royalties, on the operational control of equipment, on the management of reservoirs and on contracts for the transport of natural gas.

According to the ANP itself, “the objective of the review is to improve the balance of the regulatory cost, required of companies by the measurement requirements, by reducing or eliminating determinations, in a way that does not generate a metrological risk”.

The main change is the creation of flow categories according to the production characteristics of the field, and according to the reality of the companies. In this way, low-flow measurement systems will have more flexibility in requirements, lowering the regulatory costs of low-production fields and increasing the attractiveness of investments in the sector.

On the other hand, high-flow measurement systems, such as the pre-salt fields, will have extra requirements, in order to guarantee better measurement quality over large volumes and reduce the unavailability of these systems, as well as the occurrence of failures. This is because the RTM that was in effect did not make a significant difference between the requirements required of regulated companies, even with different production characteristics or even the reality in which the companies were inserted.

The main motivation is the adaptation to the new reality of the companies

In addition to this change, other improvements were made, based on the experience of authorization and inspection of the more than three thousand measuring points existing in the country. Some of these changes derive from the consolidated claims of the companies involved, and others are motivated by the technological and metrological evolution of the sector.

Marcelo Morais, technician at Inmetro’s Legal Metrology Board, commented: “The initiative reinforces the transparency of joint acts between the ANP and Inmetro, and aims to simplify regulatory acts and adapt the requirements to the levels of demand that the activity needs” .

In the meantime, the review of the RTM contemplated several important points that will benefit the companies involved, so that there are no burdens for some and bonuses for others. Regulation becomes fairer and more assertive, fostering a competitive market and support from regulatory agencies.

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