Engineering Standard

SAES-J-003 31 May, 2004

Instrumentation – Basic Design Criteria
Instrumentation Standards Committee Members
Al-Awami. L.H., Chairman
Tuin, R.R., Vice Chairman
Al-Dakhil, T.K.
Al-Dhafeeri, F.T.
Al-Khalifa, A.H.
Al-Madhi, F.A.
Alqaffas, S.A.
Bogusz, Z.J.
Ell, S.T.
Fadley, G.L.
Falkenberg, A.R.
Gawargy, N.E.
Grainger, J.F.
Jumah, Y.A.
Mahmood, B.
Qarni, M.A.
Trembley, R.J.

Saudi Aramco DeskTop Standards

Table of Contents

1 Scope............................................................. 2
2 Conflicts and Deviations................................. 2
3 References..................................................... 2
4 General.......................................................... 2
5 Measurement Units........................................ 3
6 Gas as an Instrument Supply......................... 5
7 Signal Ranges
and Communications Protocols..................... 5
8 Environmental Conditions.............................. 5

Previous Issue: 30 July, 2003 Next Planned Update: 1 August, 2007

Revised paragraphs are indicated in the right margin Page 1 of 6
Primary contact: Nabil Gawargy on 873-5134
Document Responsibility: Instrumentation SAES-J-003
Issue Date: 31 May, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 August, 2007 Instrumentation - Basic Design Criteria

1 Scope

This Engineering Standard covers the basic requirements for the selection, design, and
application of process instrumentation and control systems.

This entire standard may be attached to and made a part of purchase orders.

2 Conflicts and Deviations

2.1 Any conflicts between this standard and other Saudi Aramco Engineering
Standards (SAESs), Saudi Aramco Materials System Specifications (SAMSSs),
Industry Standards, codes, forms, and Saudi Aramco Standard Drawings
(SASDs) shall be resolved by the Manager, Process & Control Systems
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

2.2 Direct all requests to deviate from this specification in writing to the Company or
Buyer Representative, who shall follow internal company procedure SAEP-302
and forward such requests to the Manager, Process & Control Systems
Department of Saudi Aramco, Dhahran.

3 References

The selection of material and equipment, and the design, construction, maintenance, and
repair of equipment and facilities covered by this standard shall comply with the latest
edition of the references below, unless otherwise noted.

Saudi Aramco Engineering Procedures

SAEP-103 Metric Units of Weights and Measures
SAEP-302 Instructions for Obtaining a Waiver of a
Mandatory Saudi Aramco Engineering
Requirement

Saudi Aramco Engineering Standards

SAES-A-105 Noise Control
SAES-A-112 Meteorological and Seismic Design Data
SAES-J-700 Control Valves
SAES-J-904 FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus (FF) Systems

4 General

All continuous measurement electronic field instruments, and control valve positioners,
shall be smart.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation SAES-J-003
Issue Date: 31 May, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 August, 2007 Instrumentation - Basic Design Criteria

The design requirements for each type of instrument are covered by the individual
standards and specifications.

The design and selection of process control and instrumentation systems should include
consideration of the following:
- Application suitability
- Reliability
- Quality
- Accuracy
- Repeatability
- Life cycle cost
- Previous acceptance as a stock item (i.e., savings on spares)
- Availability of spares beyond the end of the production run of the respective item
- Compatibility with existing equipment (i.e., a Plant Expansion)
- Flexibility of use
- Compatibility with the environment (climatic and electrical classification)
- Ease of maintenance (reduction of down-time)
- Ease of operation (confidence and familiarity of the operator)
Commentary Note:

The priority of the above aspects will depend on the application and equipment under
consideration.

5 Measurement Units

All new facilities shall be designed for operation in English units with the following
exception. Operating Departments which have historically utilized operating units other
than English units shall determine whether these units or English units will be used for
new facilities under their jurisdiction. Upgrades or modifications to existing facilities
shall retain existing operating units unless otherwise specified in project documentation.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation SAES-J-003
Issue Date: 31 May, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 August, 2007 Instrumentation - Basic Design Criteria

Subject Fluid SI Unit English Unit

Length N/A M ft
Mass All Kg lb
Temperature All °C °F
Flow (Note 2) Water m³/h, m³/d GPM (US), BPD
Oil and in-plant m³/h, m³/d BPH, BPD
(Note 3) process liquids kg/h LB/H
(Note 3) Steam and steam m³/h, m³/d SCFM, SCFH, SCFD
condensate m³/d SCFD
Gas (except m³/d BPD
GOSP Gas)
GOSP Gas
GOSP Crude
Production
Level All mm, cm, m, % of range in, ft, % of range
Pressure All kPa Psig, psia
Vacuum All Pa, kPa inches of H2O
inches of Hg
Pressure, Differential All kPa psi
inches of H2O
Vibration All Micrometer mil (0.001 inch)
Concentration All mole %, ppm, %w, %v mole %, ppm, %w, %v
kg/m³ PTB (Pounds per
thousand barrels)
Viscosity, All
Kinematic m²/s CST (centistoke)
Dynamic Pa.s CP (centipoise)
Density All g/cm³, g/liter, kg/m³ lb/ft³
Notes:
1. SI Units shall conform to SAEP-103, Metric Units of Weight & Measures.
2. Flowrate given in units per day is based on operating day, e.g., BPOD. This is to be differentiated from
flow rate per calendar day, e.g., BPCD, which is used for plant design, and takes into account the operating
factor (less than unity) of the plant. Thus, BPCD = BPOD * (operating factor).
3. Saudi Aramco-defined standard conditions for process flow measurement are as follows:

SI Unit English Unit

Pressure 101.325 kPa (abs) 14.73 psia
Temperature 15°C 60°F

Standard conditions for custody metering are as follows:

SI Unit English Unit

Pressure 101. .325 kPa (abs) 14. .696 psia
Temperature 15.00°C 60°F

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation SAES-J-003
Issue Date: 31 May, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 August, 2007 Instrumentation - Basic Design Criteria

6 Gas as an Instrument Supply

Sour gas shall not be used in lieu of instrument air. Gas with less than 10 ppm H2O,
10 ppm CO2 and 5 ppm H2S may be used with prior written approval by the Supervisor,
Instrumentation Unit, Process Instrumentation Division, Process & Control Systems
Department.

7 Signal Ranges and Communications Protocols

Acceptable field transmission signals are 3-15 psi, 4-20 mA, and vendor specific digital
protocols (when used between their controllers and their respective field devices). In
the context of this standard, field transmission signals are defined as signals from field
transmitters, or signals from a control system to field devices. Analog input signals to
control systems may include, but are not limited to, the above signal types.

HART communication protocol is acceptable provided that the superimposed digital

signal is not used for plant control. FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus based instrumentation and
control systems are acceptable pursuant to requirements specified in SAES-J-904.

Use of any other communication protocol requires prior written approval of the General
Supervisor, Process Instrumentation Division, Process & Control Systems Department

8 Environmental Conditions

8.1 Temperature

Instruments and control systems shall operate continuously under the following
ambient air temperatures without any degradation of the manufacturer's
guaranteed performance:
Indoor Air Outdoor Outdoor
Conditioned (2) Sheltered (1)(2)(3) Unsheltered (2)(3)
35°C 55°C 65°C
Maximum (95°F) (131°F) (149°F)
10°C 0°C 0°C
Minimum (50°F) (32°F) (32°F)
Notes:

1) "Sheltered" refers to permanent, ventilated enclosures or buildings, or permanently fixed sunshades

with a top and three sides.
2) For instruments which dissipate internal heat and are installed in custom engineered enclosures (e.g.,
enclosures not included in the original manufacturer's temperature certification), an additional 15°C shall
be added to the above maximum temperatures. An example, for "indoor air conditioned" installation, the
equipment must perform at 35 + 15 = 50°C. Similarly, for the "outdoor unsheltered" case, the equipment
shall be designed for a maximum operating temperature of 65 + 15 = 80°C.
3) For the outdoor installations only, the designer can take credit for forced or passive cooling to eliminate
or reduce the 15°C heat rise. For example, if vortex coolers are used, the heat removal capacity of the
coolers may be subtracted from the generated heat. No more than 15°C reduction in temperature will be
given as credit. The designer shall substantiate his claim by providing the support data and calculations.

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Document Responsibility: Instrumentation SAES-J-003
Issue Date: 31 May, 2004
Next Planned Update: 1 August, 2007 Instrumentation - Basic Design Criteria

8.2 Contaminants

Installations shall be designed for operation in an environment with contaminant

levels as defined in the Ambient Air Quality Section of SAES-A-112.

8.3 Humidity

Indoor humidity design basis shall be 20% to 80% relative humidity.

Outdoor design basis shall be 5% to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing).

8.4 Noise

Instruments that generate noise shall be selected so that the effect on the
environment is limited in accordance with SAES-A-105.

Control valve installations shall meet the noise requirements specified in

SAES-J-700.

8.5 Offshore and Nearshore Environment

Equipment which is not enclosed or hermetically sealed, but is situated offshore

or nearshore, shall be protected against corrosion and operational failure due to
wind-borne sea water spray and the accumulation of wetted salt (NaCl).
Nearshore is defined as any outdoor, onshore location within one kilometer from
the shoreline of the Arabian Gulf; all of the Ras Tanura Refinery and Terminal;
and within three kilometers from the shoreline of the Red Sea.

Revision Summary
30 July, 2003 Revised the "Next Planned Update". Reaffirmed the contents of the document, and reissued
with minor/editorial revision.
nd
31 May, 2004 Editorial revision to add 2 paragraph in Section 1.

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