Your ship has loaded 9,000 barrels of fuel oil at a cargo temperature of 35°C (95° F). API gravity is 44°. The volume correction factor (VCF) is .0005. You are bound to New Jersey from Venezuela. How many barrels would you expect to unload if the cargo temperature is 55°F at the discharge port?

Question

Accepted Answer

Option C: 8,820. Temperature changes affect liquid volume. The temperature drops from 95°F to 55°F (a 40°F differential). Multiplying 9,000 barrels by the VCF of 0.0005 per degree gives a total volume reduction of 180 barrels, yielding 8,820 barrels.