A cargo of fuel oil is loaded whose temperature is 66°F. API gravity is 36°. The volume correction factor (VCF) is .0005. A cargo temperature of 80°F is expected at the discharge port. If 9,000 barrels were loaded, how many gallons would you expect to unload?

Correct Answer: Option B — 380,646

Thermal expansion of petroleum cargo is calculated using the temperature difference and the volume correction factor (VCF). A temperature rise of 14°F (80°F - 66°F) at a VCF of 0.0005 yields a 1.007 expansion factor. Multiplying 9,000 barrels by 1.007 and converting to gallons (42 gallons per barrel) results in 380,646 gallons.