SKZh stands for liquid quantity meter. It is a specialised measuring instrument developed for oil production conditions and used to meter the volume of fluid coming from oil wells. In the oil industry the abbreviation SKZh is the accepted standard designation for this class of equipment.

History of use in the oil industry

SKZh-type liquid meters have been used in oil production since the Soviet era and remain one of the main instruments for primary metering at wells to this day. Over decades of service the design has been improved repeatedly, but the operating principle and the field of application have stayed the same. Today the SKZh is part of the standard equipment of automated group metering units at oilfield facilities in Kazakhstan, Russia and other CIS countries.

How the SKZh differs from other meters

The main difference between the SKZh and ordinary flow meters is its ability to work with oil-gas-water mixture. Standard meters are designed for homogeneous media: clean water, oil or gas separately. The SKZh measures the total volume of a multi-component mixture directly at the well outlet, before it is separated into fractions.

The SKZh is also notable for its simple design, low maintenance requirements and high field repairability, which matters particularly at sites far from service centres.

Where the SKZh is used

Oilfield wells — the main application. An SKZh is installed at each well or for a group of wells to monitor daily production.

Automated group metering units (AGZU) — the SKZh is a mandatory part of «Sputnik»-type AGZUs and similar units. It provides automatic sequential measurement of the flow rate of each connected well.

Individual metering units — used on high-yield wells or where there are special accuracy requirements.

Oil gathering points and booster pumping stations — for monitoring liquid volumes at nodal points of the gathering system.

SKZh documentation

In the oil industry the SKZh is classed as a measuring instrument subject to mandatory metrological calibration. The instrument’s documentation includes:

  • The meter passport stating the serial number and technical data
  • The calibration certificate with the date of the last and next calibration
  • The operating manual
  • A logbook with records of maintenance and repairs

SKZh calibration is carried out in line with the established calibration interval — as a rule, once a year. Operating an instrument whose calibration has expired breaches the requirements for the commercial metering of hydrocarbons.

Go to the SKZh product page for technical specifications and a quotation. Read more about the design and operating principle in the article «Design and operating principle of the SKZh liquid meter».