The Importance of Produced Oil
Produced oil is the key sample material in any study focused on the discovery and production of hydrocarbon fluids. A geochemical assessment of your produced oil can provide valuable insights about the environment of deposition (EOD) and age. Additionally, geochemical monitoring of production fluids through time represents one of the most cost-effective methods of tracking development changes across unconventional plays in the industry today. To understand the history and potential of the petroleum system you are targeting, produced oil geochemistry is a must!
Produced Oil Sampling Best Practices
Good data doesn’t start in the lab—it starts in the field. Poor collection practices impact the sample material and, ultimately, the results generated by laboratory analysis. As standard practice, we recommend collecting produced oil samples in 20ml vials, which we provide free of charge. This volume is more than sufficient to carry out a detailed geochemical assessment of the fluid, and leaves sufficient volume for any future work or collaboration. Larger vials (or duplicate samples) are in no way problematic, and we can provide different vial sizes if needed. Any excess sample is stored at GeoMark under controlled conditions. In order to retain sample integrity, sample vials should be filled so that a small amount of headspace is left for potential expansion. Detailed sampling instructions are included with sampling kits and can also be found here. Our SMEs are always available for advice on sampling best practices.
RFDbase and Produced Oil Results
GeoMark’s Rock & Fluid Database (RFDbase) contains produced oil samples from both conventional and unconventional wells collected from all of the world’s major petroleum systems. Over the last several decades, we have leveraged this fluid data (in combination with equally robust gas, water, and source rock data) to generate detailed research studies. These studies cover the major source horizons and producing reservoirs within basins like Anadarko, Permian, and Powder River, as well as regional reports that encompass international petroleum systems. To understand your samples in context, our subject matter experts (SMEs) can statistically compare geochemical analysis results with RFDbase samples, along with data contained in more comprehensive and focused studies. This allows better insight into the source and fluid history of your produced oil sample, and how it compares across a basin-wide setting.
FAQ
Q. How much oil is typically required for geochemical analyses?
A. We request 20ml as a standard quantity to cover the full suite of analytical techniques.
Q. Can you analyze condensates?
A. Yes, our GC-MS/MS QQQ method was specially developed with light oils/condensates in mind.
Q. What sampling containers should we use?
A. GeoMark will send you a sampling kit (with 20ml vials) at no charge when geochemical analyses are being done in our laboratories.
Q. Which analyses will work for my project?
A. Our geochemists can advise you on the most suitable analytical program based on your objectives after visual inspection of the received fluid(s).
Q. I’m not a geochemist, what does my oil data mean?
A. We offer geochemical consulting and interpretation services, as well as basic analytical services. We can also help put your data in context.
Contact Us
GeoMark Research, Ltd.
9748 Whithorn Drive | Houston, Texas 77095