What Is ABB Totalflow? Introduction to Flow Computers for Oil and Gas
Key Takeaway
ABB Totalflow is a flow computer and remote automation controller family from ABB for natural gas measurement, custody transfer, and pipeline automation using AGA standards.
Quick Answer
ABB Totalflow flow computers — XFC, XRC, G4, and G5 — perform AGA-compliant natural gas and liquid flow calculations for custody transfer and pipeline automation in oil and gas applications.
History
Totalflow Inc. developed the original flow computer platform for natural gas measurement. ABB acquired Totalflow and integrated it into their measurement and analytics portfolio. Today, ABB Totalflow is one of the three dominant flow computer platforms in North American gas pipeline operations, alongside Emerson ROC and Honeywell Elster.
Product Family
- XFC — Dedicated gas flow computer. AGA-3/7/9/11, archives, DNP3/Modbus. The standard for wellhead and measurement station applications.
- XRC — Flow measurement + PLC-style automation via TAS. Compressor stations, separators, multi-well pads.
- XIO — Remote I/O expansion for XRC via TFIO bus.
- G4 — Legacy flow computer, widely deployed in existing installations.
- G5 — Higher capability flow and remote automation controller.
Typical Applications
- Gas measurement at wellheads and gathering systems
- Custody transfer metering stations (fiscal measurement)
- Compressor station monitoring and control (XRC)
- Pipeline SCADA nodes
- Liquid measurement (crude oil, NGL) at LACT units
Frequently Asked Questions
The XFC (eXtended Flow Computer) is a dedicated natural gas flow computer that performs AGA-compliant calculations for orifice, turbine, and ultrasonic meters with archive storage and DNP3/Modbus SCADA communication.
XFC is a dedicated flow computer. XRC adds programmable control logic (TAS) for combined measurement and automation.