Thermo Scientific Oil and Gas - Petroleum and Natural Gas - Analysis Workflows

Importance of the Topic

Analysis of petroleum and natural gas is vital for ensuring energy quality, regulatory compliance, process optimization, and cost-effectiveness in the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors.

Objectives and Study Overview

This document reviews comprehensive analytical workflows designed to support exploration, production, transportation, refining, and quality control of fossil fuels. It aims to illustrate the methods, instrumentation, and informatics solutions used to characterize hydrocarbons, assess fuel properties, and monitor industrial water processes.

Methodology

Analytical techniques are selected according to matrix, target analytes, and process stage:

• Gas Chromatography (GC) and GC–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) for hydrocarbon profiling, simulated distillation, and biomarker analysis.
• Ion Chromatography (IC) and Combustion IC for halides, sulfur species, anions, and low-molecular acids in fuels and water.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for trace metals in crude oil, lubricants, and industrial water.
• Elemental Analysis (OEA) for C, H, N, S, and O determination in fuels, lubricants, and petrochemicals.
• Laboratory informatics, including LIMS and chromatography data systems, to streamline data management and compliance.

Instrumentation Used

• Thermo Scientific TRACE 1300 and 1310 Series Gas Chromatographs
• Q Exactive GC–MS/MS and DFS high-resolution GC–MS
• Dionex Integrion HPIC with IonPac columns
• Combustion IC systems
• iCAP 7000 Plus ICP-OES
• Flash 2000 Organic Elemental Analyzer
• Thermo Scientific Chromeleon CDS and Sample Manager LIMS

Main Results and Discussion

Key workflows demonstrate:

• Biomarker distribution in crude by high-resolution GC–MS to assess origin and maturity.
• Simulated distillation methods (ASTM D2887, D7096) to determine boiling point ranges of gasoline and middle distillates.
• Calorific value measurement of natural gas liquids by GC with thermal conductivity detection.
• Detection of corrosive oxygenates and sulfur compounds in LPGs by ASTM D7423 and CIC.
• Aromatics profiling in gasoline with backflush GC–FID to improve column life and analysis speed.
• Trace metal quantification in naphtha by ICP-OES with acceptable precision (<5% RSD).
• Separation of industrial water anions and heat stable salts in alkanolamine scrubbers using high-pressure IC.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Enhanced laboratory throughput through modular instrument design and rapid maintenance.
• Improved analytical accuracy and compliance with international standards (ASTM, IP, ISO, UOP).
• Integrated informatics enabling real-time data access, reporting, and process tracking across multiple facilities.
• Versatile workflows applicable to upstream exploration, midstream custody transfer, downstream refining, and water treatment monitoring.

Future Trends and Applications

Emerging developments include increased use of high-resolution accurate-mass spectrometry, automated sample preparation, advanced data analytics and AI integration, remote monitoring, and greener reagent-less techniques to further streamline fuel analysis and environmental monitoring.

Conclusion

Adoption of modern analytical platforms and unified informatics systems supports robust characterization of petroleum and natural gas streams, optimizes operational efficiency, ensures regulatory compliance, and drives innovation across the energy value chain.