Oil Analysis
LEADING OIL CHARACTERIZATION
Recognized as an industry leader in hydrocarbon analysis and interpretation, GeoMark Research employs the latest technology to deliver consistent and validated results.
Our research team remains at the forefront of the industry in geochemical analytical techniques and workflows, and continues to deliver enhanced insights to petroleum systems around the world. GeoMark Research’s methods and expertise provides crucial information, maximizing economic investment models and de-risking potential opportunities. We provide answers for hydrocarbon source, mixing, age, depositional environment, maturity and fluid quality predictions (i.e., GOR, biodegradation, sourness).
WE ANSWER THE FUNDAMENTAL
PETROLEUM SYSTEMS QUESTIONS
• Where did it come from?
• Where did it go?
• How did it change on its journey?
The GeoMark Research Advantage
EXPERTISE
GeoMark offers a wide range of traditional geochemistry analytical techniques, as well as specialized methods that are unique to our laboratory.
Global Provider
GeoMark offers a wide range of traditional geochemistry analytical techniques, as well as specialized methods that are unique to our laboratory.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
GeoMark Research has a long history of performing research studies that expand the application of geochemistry in the global petroleum industry. Since its establishment, GeoMark Research has built lasting scientific research relationships with top-tier industry and academic institutions. These relationships continue today as the world looks to optimize and diversify energy supply.
INTEGRATION
Supported by GeoMark Research’s Source Rock, PVT and Mud Gas Isotope laboratories, along with RFD base TM (the industry’s largest oil, source rock and PVT database), our team integrates all data types to add value across the development timeline.
HIGH RESOLUTION GAS
CHROMATOGRAPHY (HRGC) | ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY (UHRGC) | BIOMARKERS | QQQ (Diamondoids) |
ISOTOPES | SARA | API | COMPOUND SPECIFIC
ISOTOPE ANALYSIS (CSIA) |
From fluid characterization to basin modeling
FLUID CHARACTERIZATION
Using consistent methods for the past 30 years, GeoMark Research can make comparisons of fluid character to provide interpretations that define the source, maturity, and mobility oil of samples. Leveraging advanced analytics, this information creates a predictive geochemical framework that reduces the risk associated with fluid property predictions.
Integrating with source rock and other geochemical data, fluids take on geological context in mapped trends and depositionaly driven predictions.
Ultra High Resolution
Gas Chromatography
(UHRGC)
At GeoMark Research, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We have continually invested significant resources and time to advance traditional methodologies in petroleum system analysis. One of our key breakthroughs is the revolution of High-Resolution Gas Chromatography (HRGC), long the industry standard, into our proprietary Ultra High-Resolution Gas Chromatography (UHRGC). This cutting-edge technique delivers deeper, more precise interpretative insights, giving our clients the ability to make better-informed decisions regarding reservoir continuity and connectivity.
While HRGC allowed for the mapping of 80 known compounds and 80 total integrated peaks, GeoMark's UHRGC method enhances this capability dramatically. With UHRGC, we can now identify 133 known compounds, 59 "Generic IDs," and a total of 192 integrated peaks, offering a significantly richer dataset. This expansion of known compounds, especially in the crucial C7-C12 diagnostic range, maximizes sample integrity and gives customers a more comprehensive understanding of fluid characteristics.
HRGC Compound Classes
UHRGC Compound Classes
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Paraffins
Naphthenes
Isoparaffins
Aromatics
Our advanced methods are particularly valuable in projects where accurate data collection is essential for optimizing reservoirs. Whether assessing production allocation, oil characterization or reservoir continuity, UHRGC provides a complete and detailed profile of oil compositions. This allows for higher confidence in interpretations and decisions, ensuring the success of reservoir optimization and continuity projects. GeoMark's innovations are designed to give our clients the edge they need to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive industry.
Reservoir Connectivity & Continuity
GeoMark’s methodologies integrate bulk, isotopic, gas chromatographic and biomarker parameters to provide data-driven solutions, recognizing that no single technique is a "silver bullet." However, this combination of advanced tools allows us to address the complex behaviors of different hydrocarbon phases in situ, greatly improving our ability to interpret reservoir continuity with confidence.
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The enhanced data from UHRGC is a game changer for reservoir connectivity and continuity assessments. By expanding the range of identifiable compounds, we offer a more complete picture, helping operators make more confident decisions in reservoir management. Our commitment to precision and innovation ensures that our customers have access to the best possible insights for optimizing reservoir performance.
Gas Chromatography
Mass Spectrometry
(GC-MS)
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to analyze the distribution of biomarkers (molecular fossils) in crude oils and rock extracts. In this setup, the Gas Chromatograph (GC) first separates the complex mixture of components, which are then introduced to the Mass Spectrometer (MS).
The Mass Spectrometer identifies and characterizes chemical compounds by fragmenting them into charged ions. A high-energy ion beam bombards the compounds, causing them to break into specific fragment patterns that reflect their molecular structure. Each fragmentation pattern serves as a unique fingerprint, allowing for precise identification of the compound.
This data is routinely used to evaluate the source rock type, age, maturity, and any biodegradation of the analyzed oil, offering valuable insights into the petroleum system.
Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (QQQ)
GeoMark’s proprietary GC-QQQ-MS method, utilizing an Agilent 7000A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled with an Agilent 7890B gas chromatograph, delivers precise quantitative analysis of whole oils and extracts. This method targets a wide range of biomarkers, including terpanes, steranes, diamondoids, carotenoids, and alkyl aromatics.
Unlike traditional single quadrupole MS systems, which require prior separation of fractions, the GC-QQQ-MS captures all compounds in a single run. This includes alkyl aromatics, which are particularly useful for predicting thermal maturity in vitrinite reflectance equivalent (VREQ) units, even in light oils and condensates where conventional biomarkers may be absent.
With a single injection, GeoMark’s method screens over 215 parent-daughter compound pairs of interest. After 12 years of rigorous development, optimal mass spectrometry acquisition parameters have been perfected, ensuring highly accurate results.
The GC-QQQ-MS is a robust tool capable of measuring thermally stable hydrocarbons—such as diamondoids, alkyl benzenes and polyaromatic hydrocarbons—across a broad range of thermal maturities, from the early to late oil window, which traditional GC-MS cannot monitor. Furthermore, key parameters such as VREQ (thermal maturity), SAQ (mobility) and NSOq (resinitic factor) provide critical insights into complex mixing and migration scenarios where conventional biomarkers fall short, making this method invaluable for petroleum system analysis.
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