Oil Analysis

Whole oil Gas Chromatography

Actlabs provides high quality analyses of oils through gas chromatography/gas chromatography of whole oils. These analyses allow determination of low molecular weight hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylen (BTEX) as well as cyclohexane, heptane and other low molecular weight compounds used for determination of the Mango and Thompson parameters frequently employed in reservoir oils characterization.

Actlabs also offers high resolution GC-MS analysis of oils after SARA (saturate, aromatic, resins and asphaltene) separation for accurate determination of biomarkers and other C12+ compounds in oils. These data are useful for assessment of source rock quality, kerogen type and maturity, redox conditions during deposition, biodegradation and oil-source/oil-oil correlation. These data also assist in production and field development by facilitating prediction of vertical and lateral variation, comingling of oils and reservoir compartmentalization. Analysis reports data for saturates and aromatic compounds including alskanes, isoprenoids, terpanes,steranes and phenanthrenes. Other compounds of interest can be reported in a customized package. Packages may be qualitative or quantitative.

Actlabs employs GC-MS on the aromatic fractions of soil/rock/oil samples to analyze for 23 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)/ Polynuclear aromatic (PNA) hydrocarbons. Highly sensitive quantitative determination of 23 different Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. This analysis includes the 16 EPA priority pollutants and the data is therefore relevant for environmental characterization.

Actlabs analyses natural gas from drill cuttings in the headspace of containers like isojars and gas from wells in isotubes or other suitable containers. C1 -C7 plus non hydrocarbon gases including H2S and CO2 are analysed by Gas Chromatography.
Samples are also analysed for C1-C5 + CO2 carbon isotope as well as C1-C5 hydrogen isotopes by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS).

The molecular and isotope data provide information that enables you to distinguish between microbial and thermogenic gas, assess the type of thermogenic gas (dry or wet gas) and the maturity of the gas. Dry gas may be of more interest because it requires no treatment before commercialization while wet gas may lead to discovery of oil/condensate.

Geochemical data of formation waters usually assist in solving development and production related problems. Process waters used in tar sands applications as well as for environmental applications can also be completely characterized.Actlabs offers reliable analysis ranging from physical parameters like pH and TDS to cations and anions, as well as TPH, grease, BTEX for complete characterization of formation waters/brines. These analyses include the use standard meters for pH, ICP and ICP-MS for cations, IC for cations, and GC-MS for organics.

Analysis of crude oil can be performed very simply by encapsulation, irradiation and induced gamma-ray counting. No chemistry is required. This Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique provides accurate and rapid analysis at cost-effective prices. This type of analysis can be used for oil-oil correlations and oil-source rock correlations when used in conjunction with multi-element analysis of rocks. Crude oil samples will be analysed as submitted without extracting water or suspended sediment.

For petroleum distillates, we must know the type of distillate and its flashpoint. Certain substances such as xylene penetrate the irradiation container and are not suitable for analysis by this technique.

Refinery products can be analyzed by INAA for corrosive chemistry such as Cl in petroleum distillates.

Well-log Calibration

Actlabs also offers analyses for specific elements that are useful in calibrating well due to their relation to the characteristic property measured by well logs (e.g. U for radioactivity in shales).

Code WLC-1

Element Detection Limit (ppm)
B0.5
Gd0.5

Code WLC-2

Element Detection Limit (ppm)
U0.5
Th0.2
K100

For pricing, please inquire by contacting customerservice@actlabs.com