Distributed ledger in oil and gas custody transfers

A method of tamper-proof publishing of hydrocarbon data in oil and gas custody transfers, comprising:

• initiating, at a Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) unit, an exchange of hydrocarbon data in an oil and gas custody transfer;
• acquiring the hydrocarbon data from the LACT, the LACT configured to measure a volume and quality of hydrocarbons for the custody transfer;
• obtaining, using a controller, a hash value for the hydrocarbon data, the hash value produced using a predefined hash function;
• applying, using the controller, a digital signature to the hydrocarbon data and the hash value;
• connecting, using the controller, to a distributed ledger designated to receive the hydrocarbon data;
• and
• transmitting, using the controller, the hydrocarbon data and the hash value to the distributed ledger over a private or public network, including the Internet;
• wherein the method further comprises obtaining a hash value for equipment calibration data and device configuration parameters for equipment and devices used to acquire the hydrocarbon data, applying a digital signature to the equipment calibration data, the device configuration parameters, and the hash value, and transmitting the equipment calibration data, device configuration parameters, and hash value to the distributed ledger;
• and
• wherein the method further comprises uploading to the distributed ledger a public key of a public/private key pair for the devices used to acquire the hydrocarbon data, the public key being stored in a public key repository in the distributed ledger.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by operation of a controller, cause the controller to:

• initiate an exchange of hydrocarbon data in an oil and gas custody transfer at a Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) unit;
• acquire the hydrocarbon data from the LACT, the LACT configured to measure a volume and quality of hydrocarbons for the custody transfer;
• obtain a hash value for the hydrocarbon data, the hash value produced using a predefined hash function;
• apply a digital signature to the hydrocarbon data and the hash value;
• connect to a distributed ledger designated to receive the hydrocarbon data;
• transmit the hydrocarbon data and the hash value to the distributed ledger over a private or public network, including the Internet;
• wherein the computer-readable instructions further cause the controller to obtain a hash value for equipment calibration data and device configuration parameters for equipment and devices used to acquire the hydrocarbon data, apply a digital signature to the equipment calibration data, the device configuration parameters, and the hash value, and transmit the equipment calibration data, device configuration parameters, and hash value to the distributed ledger;
• and
• wherein the computer-readable instructions further cause the controller to upload to the distributed ledger a public key of a public/private key pair for the devices used to acquire the hydrocarbon data, the public key being stored in a public key repository in the distributed ledger.