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?

Correct Answer: Option B — 8,820

Temperature drops from $95^\circ\text{F}$ to $55^\circ\text{F}$, a decrease of $40^\circ\text{F}$. Contraction is $9,000 \times 0.0005 \times 40 = 180$ barrels. Subtracting from loaded volume: $9,000 - 180 = 8,820$ barrels expected at discharge, illustrating petroleum contraction during transit in cooler climates.