Ralph A. Morgen, Black, Sivalls & Bryson, Inc.
Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) is the name given to the systems which automatically perform the functions of measuring and recording of temperature compensated oil quantity; sampling for subsequent determination of quality; and the running of the oil from the lease into the pipeline in accordance with preset schedules on an unattended basis. Automatic monitoring of oil quality with shut-in of unit on sensing of unmerchantable oil is used in conjunction with LACT. There are two basic types of LACT metering in use in the industry today. These units are (A) positive volume dump meters and (B) positive displacement meters. Each of these units is designed to perform the functions described above but each utilizes different methods. A third unit (C) is a special adaptation of (A) for use on small volumes.