Start Date
December 2017

Background
In December 2016, the issue of proper water measurement in crude surfaced and was discussed at all subsequent Open Forum meetings during 2017. The capabilities and limitations of available methods were discussed suggesting a need to provide some direction to industry on fit-for-purpose testing and the potential use of a referee method.

Milestones as of February 2024

• The project group will prepare and publish a “White Paper” on the subject of water testing in crude oil. The work scope will include reviewing previously published work, collecting available data from members, and providing recommendations for test method selection, based on a fit for purpose review.
  
• Nova Analytics and Validere conducted studies using visible and UV quantification of centrifuge method sediment and water layers to compare with Karl Fisher titration results. Study results were presented in December 2018 and updated at the March 2019 meetings.
  
• White paper titled “Water in Crude – Factors Affecting Water Content Measurement” was published in December 2019.
  
• Interlaboratory Study to incorporate an evaporative method into ASTM D4928 is complete and results were presented at the September 2020 project meeting (see meeting minutes).
  
• Project was moved to “Project Maintenance Activities” as opposed to a stand-alone project. 2021
  
• Revision to ASTM D4928 / API MPMS Chp 10.9 test method ballot failed by one vote in March 2021. The ASTM sub-committee ballot passed in October 2021. A working group was formed to polish the statistics.
  
• The changes to the scope, because of outlier interpretation, prompted API to require the method be sent back to ballot again.
  

• Concurrent D4928 ballot resolution is nearing completion and once completed it will be sent to ASTM/API for editorial review and publishing. Anticipate publishing in 2nd quarter of 2024.