System and method for flow measurement data transfer and verification

A method, comprising:

• generating, by a flow measurement computer, a flow measurement data set;
• generating, by the flow measurement computer, a first digital signature and a public key by digitally signing the flow measurement data set with a private key using a digital signature algorithm;
• transmitting the flow measurement data set, the public key and the first digital signature from the flow measurement computer to a receiving computer;
• generating, by the receiving computer, a second digital signature by digitally signing the received flow measurement data set with the public key corresponding to the private key, using the same digital signature algorithm;
• and
• comparing, by the receiving computer, the first digital signature to the second digital signature, wherein the flow measurement data set received by the receiving computer is verified as authentic when the first digital signature and the second digital signature match.

A receiving computer, comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive a flow measurement data set and a first digital signature, wherein the first digital signature is generated by a flow measurement computer signing the flow measurement data set with a private key using a digital signature algorithm;
• a processor coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing processor executable code operable to:
• generate a second digital signature by signing the received flow measurement data set with a public key corresponding to the private key, using the same digital signature algorithm;
• and
• compare the first digital signature to the second digital signature, wherein the received flow measurement data set is verified as authentic when the first digital signature and the second digital signature match.

A system, comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a digital signature algorithm including a key pairing comprising a private key for signing data and a public key;
• a flow measurement computer configured to:
• generate a flow measurement data set;
• and
• generate a digital signature by digitally signing the flow measurement data set with the private key using the digital signature algorithm;
• and
• incorporate the public key and an identifier of the digital signature algorithm into the flow measurement data set;
• and
• a receiving computer configured to:
• receive the flow measurement data set and the digital signature and the public key;
• apply the public key to the digital signature, wherein the received flow measurement data set is verified as authentic when the public key verifies the digital signature.

A receiving computer, comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive a flow measurement data set and a digital signature, wherein the digital signature is generated by a flow measurement computer signing the flow measurement data set with a private key using a digital signature algorithm;
• a processor coupled to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing processor executable code operable to:
• receive the flow measurement data set and a public key corresponding to the private key;
• and
• validate the digital signature with the digital signature algorithm and the public key.

A system comprising:

• a digital data source providing flow measurement data, the digital data source comprising a physical communication interface configured to transmit the flow measurement data, the flow measurement data representing one or more measurements of one or more flows of hydrocarbons;
• a signatory computer comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a processor, and a communication interface, configured to receive the flow measurement data transmitted by the digital data source, the non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
• utilize a digital signature algorithm (DSA) to create a unique digital signature by applying the DSA and a private key to the flow measurement data;
• store the flow measurement data, the unique digital signature, and the public key in a database;
• and
• provide the flow measurement data, signature, and public key in response to a request for verification of the flow measurement data.