The ConocoPhillips unit's job includes its LOGGS, Viking and CMS offshore complexes, offshore satellite fields and the Theddlethorpe Gas Terminal in Lincolnshire.

Conoco said Emerson was chosen after a competitive bid process involving other North Sea metering service companies. The contract covers five years, with an option for a five-year extension. It will be managed from Conoco's Aberdeen headquarters.

Conoco said accurate, reliable measurement of oil and gas production, known as metering, is of critical importance to the company, since the measurements are used for fiscal accounting, custody transfer, and taxation purposes. Even small errors in daily metering have a significant financial impact. With metering management, an oil company can have higher confidence in the accuracy of the measurement equipment being used and ensure it is maximizing revenues from production.

Emerson will supply metering engineers and trained technician personnel at Conoco's onshore offices, onshore gas terminal and offshore installations. The Emerson team will be responsible for validating and reporting measurement data and for all metering, sampling and test equipment. Emerson personnel will also support installation of all custody transfer terminals, as well as ongoing terminal maintenance and verification activities, said Anne Burton, Conoco's southern North Sea commercial manager.

"In today's business environment, oil & gas companies continue a high emphasis on performance of their custody transfer metering systems because accuracy and integrity are important for profit margins and customer confidence," said John Berra, executive vice president of Emerson with responsibility for the process management business.