BS-AND-W.COM

BS&W or Basic Sediment and Water is a term originally used to refer to the measurement of water and sediment (suspended solids) in crude oil production. Measurement can take place at the wellhead, tank or at custody transfer. Historically, such measurement was conducted with the use of a centrifuge. (See API MPMS Chapter 10.4/ASTM D96.) Today, the term is also used interchangeably with "water cut" - or the percentage of water in crude oil. BS&W monitors are also commonly called water cut meters... It is important to make the distinction that water cut meters do not measure sediment. Sediment can only be measured by centrifuge or extraction (ASTM D473). However, most BS&W monitors or water cut meters will be placed after separators to measure water content for custody transfer. In these cases, sediment is generally not a concern.