Global Surveys · Energy sector
Oil & Gas Inspection Services
Independent petroleum cargo inspection, quantity and quality verification, and transfer monitoring.
Global Surveys supports producers, traders, charterers, terminal operators and other stakeholders with independent inspection across shore tanks, vessels, terminals, pipeline transfer points and ship-to-ship operations. Each assignment is defined around the cargo, location, contractual requirements and agreed reporting needs.
- Quantity & custody transfer
- Shore and vessel measurements, calculations and reconciliation.
- Loading, discharge & STS
- Independent attendance and monitoring at critical transfer stages.
- Sampling & cargo condition
- Traceable samples, witnessing and documented condition observations.
- Clear reporting
- Findings supported by records, photographs where permitted and stated limitations.
Petroleum cargo services
Independent control across the cargo journey.
From pre-shipment checks and loading through marine, terminal or pipeline transfers, discharge and post-shipment reconciliation, our inspection activities are selected to match the commercial and technical risks of the assignment. Availability, methods and exact scope are confirmed before appointment.
Quantity control
Quantity & custody transfer inspection
Shore tank and vessel tank measurements, including tank gauging, ullage, sounding and temperature measurements as applicable, to support cargo or stock quantity determination. Vessel and shore figures can be compared using the agreed calculation basis and available supporting data.
Cargo operations
Loading & discharge supervision
Independent observation of agreed loading and discharge stages, including relevant pre-shipment and post-shipment checks. Records may cover transfer timing, quantity figures, seals, cargo handling, documents and visible deviations to support traceability between dispatch and receipt.
Marine transfers
Ship-to-ship (STS) transfer inspection & monitoring
Independent attendance during ship-to-ship petroleum transfers to monitor the agreed inspection points and maintain a factual record of the operation. Depending on scope, this may include tank figures, timing, sampling or witnessing, seals, transfer documentation and reported differences.
Terminal operations
Pipeline & terminal transfer monitoring
Monitoring of agreed petroleum transfer activities at terminals and pipeline interfaces, with review or recording of applicable tank, transfer and timing information. Deviations, interruptions and quantity differences can be documented for subsequent reconciliation.
Product quality
Sampling, sample witnessing & quality coordination
Sampling or independent witnessing under an agreed plan, with sample identification, sealing and chain-of-custody records. Required analyses, laboratory arrangements, test methods and reporting responsibilities are confirmed when defining the assignment.
Condition & suitability
Tank cleanliness, cargo condition & contamination checks
Visual checks of safely accessible tanks or cargo-related areas, supported by available cleaning and previous-cargo records, to identify visible residues, abnormal conditions or contamination concerns. Findings can support tank suitability and loading-readiness decisions within the agreed inspection scope.
Marine fuels
Bunker quantity surveys
Independent checks of marine fuel quantities delivered, received or remaining, together with relevant measurement and delivery records. The survey scope can support bunkering transactions and, where agreed, on-hire or off-hire requirements.
Loss control
Loss control, shortage & discrepancy investigations
Review of available vessel, shore, terminal and transfer records to reconcile quantities and investigate reported shortages, damage or other cargo discrepancies. Findings are presented factually, with supporting calculations, documents and photographic evidence where permitted.
Quality and contamination assessment: visual inspection or field observation alone does not establish a petroleum product’s chemical quality or confirm the presence or absence of contamination. Where analytical confirmation is required, the laboratory, test methods, sample handling and reporting scope are agreed separately.
Products & locations
An inspection scope built around your operation.
Tell us the product, quantity, transport mode, transfer arrangement and inspection location. We will review the work required at your vessel, shore tank, terminal, pipeline transfer point, storage facility, STS location or delivery point and confirm the appropriate arrangements.
- Crude oil & condensates
- Quantity, sampling, loading, discharge, transfer-monitoring and reconciliation enquiries.
- Refined petroleum products
- Inspection enquiries for diesel, gasoline, fuel oil and other refined-product shipments or stocks.
- Marine fuels
- Bunker quantity, delivery and charter-related survey requirements.
- Gas cargo enquiries
- LPG and other gas-related assignments require a separate technical review of the product, specialist equipment, personnel and site requirements before acceptance.
Our approach
Defined scope. Traceable evidence.
Define the assignment
Confirm the product, quantity, location, transfer arrangement, timing, inspection points, applicable requirements and expected deliverables.
Plan the inspection
Review available records and agree methods, measurement or sampling activities, access arrangements, site safety requirements and any testing needs.
Inspect, witness & record
Perform the agreed checks and document measurements, samples, transfer observations, time records, photographs where permitted and any limitations encountered.
Report & reconcile
Present findings, quantity comparisons and discrepancies clearly, with supporting records and clarification of any follow-up required.
Your inspection record
- Assignment details, scope and inspection references.
- Measurements, calculations, sampling and witnessing records, as applicable.
- Transfer time logs, operational observations and discrepancies.
- Photographic documentation where permitted by site and client requirements.
- Supporting documents, methods and stated inspection limitations.
Methods matched to the work
The inspection plan identifies the applicable methods and acceptance criteria. Depending on the assignment, these may refer to API MPMS, relevant ASTM, ISO or Energy Institute methods, alongside contractual and local requirements. The applicable references are confirmed before work begins.
Why Global Surveys
Practical support for decisions that matter.
Scope matched to the operation
Inspection activities are defined around the cargo, transfer method, location and client requirements rather than a one-size-fits-all checklist.
Independent, usable reporting
Documented measurements, observations and evidence help your team assess acceptance, reconcile quantities and investigate differences.
Confidential handling
Client information and inspection records are handled in line with our Compliance Program.
Frequently asked questions
Planning an oil or gas inspection?
What is included in an oil and gas cargo inspection?
The scope depends on the assignment. It may include shore or vessel tank measurements, quantity verification, loading or discharge supervision, STS or terminal transfer monitoring, sampling or sample witnessing, tank cleanliness checks, bunker quantity surveys, and loss or discrepancy investigation. Activities, methods and reporting requirements are confirmed before the work is accepted.
Can Global Surveys support ship-to-ship (STS) transfers?
STS inspection and monitoring can be considered as a defined assignment. Send us the vessels, product, location, planned dates and required inspection points so we can confirm local availability, access and the technical scope before appointment.
Can laboratory testing be included?
Where testing is required, the laboratory arrangements, test methods, sample handling and reporting responsibilities are agreed before the assignment. Any required accreditation must cover the specific tests requested and be confirmed for the selected laboratory.
Can you inspect LPG or other gas cargoes?
Send us the product details, location and required activity. Gas assignments need a separate capability and safety review. We will confirm whether the requested work can be accepted and the specialist arrangements it requires.
Where can an inspection be arranged?
Contact us with the country, port, terminal, facility or transfer location and proposed dates. Our team will confirm service availability, access requirements and local arrangements for that assignment.
What do you need to prepare a quotation?
Provide the product description, estimated quantity, loading and discharge points or transfer location, expected dates and requested inspection activities. Include relevant specifications, contractual inspection requirements and report deadlines where available.
Discuss your assignment
Plan your next inspection with Global Surveys.
Share the details of your shipment, transfer or terminal operation so we can confirm the scope and prepare a quotation.
Include with your enquiry
- Product and estimated cargo quantity.
- Country, port, terminal, vessel or transfer location.
- Loading, discharge or STS details where applicable.
- Expected dates and required inspection scope.
- Specifications, contractual requirements and reporting deadlines.