Molecular and Isotope Geochemistry

Molecular and Isotope Geochemistry Testing Services

At AGAT Laboratories, our Molecular and Isotope Geochemistry division provides a comprehensive suite of geochemical analyses to support the Energy and Environmental industries. Using a combination of industry-leading instrumentation, advanced analytical techniques, and a dedicated team of experts we deliver dependable data along with interpretation services tailored to the individual goals of each project helping clients fully realize the value of their data.

We conduct tests & analysis in these areas:

Molecular/Elemental Geochemistry

  • HAWK Pyrolysis & TOC – Determines key geochemical parameters for evaluating source rock hydrocarbon potential, thermal maturity, and kerogen type.
  • Organic Matter Soxhlet Extraction – Extracts organic compounds from cuttings, cores, soils, and other geological materials.
  • SARA Analysis – Separates Saturate, Aromatic, Resin, and Asphaltene fractions from oils or crude extracts to determine detailed oil composition.
  • High-Resolution Gas Chromatography (HRGC) – Provides a detailed chemical fingerprint of hydrocarbons to support source identification, biodegradation assessment, thermal maturity evaluation, and reservoir correlation.
  • Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) – Combines precise chemical separation with molecular fingerprinting and biomarker analysis to characterize crude oils, condensates, and extracts for reservoir characterization, oil–oil & oil–source correlations, and reservoir baffle/barrier evaluation.
  • Gas Composition (GC) – Determines major fixed gases (O2, N2, CO2, He, H2) and natural gas hydrocarbons (C1–C5) in gas samples.
  • Elemental Analysis (EA) – Measures carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and hydrogen concentrations in solids and liquids.

Isotope Geochemistry

  • Carbon isotope (δ13C) analysis of natural gas samples (C1-C5, CO2) – Mud gas logging, production gas characterization, fugitive gas identification
  • Hydrogen isotope (δ2H) analysis of natural gas samples – Mud gas logging, production gas characterization, fugitive gas identification
  • Carbon (δ13C) and hydrogen (δ2H) isotope analysis of whole oil and fractions – oil-oil correlations
  • Carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N), sulfur (δ34S) isotope analysis of solid and liquid samples – Carbon source fingerprinting, biochemical cycling
  • δ34S analysis of H2S – Sour gas source evaluation, abiotic vs. biotic H2S generation
  • δ34S analysis of sulfate (dissolved and solid) – Sulfate source evaluation, role of sulfate in redox reactions
  • Water Isotope analysis (δ2H and δ18O) – Modeling injected water returns, origin of intrusive water, isoscapes and geographic origin of water
  • Dissolved inorganic carbon isotope analysis δ13CDIC – Origin of carbonate precipitating fluids (e.g., scale), role of biogenic vs. abiotic carbon sources

Interpretation Services

We provide a comprehensive range of services complementary to molecular and stable isotope analyses. Interpretation services are customized to meet the specific demands of individual projects.

  • Gas Origin Determination – Differentiating thermogenic, microbial, and biodegraded gas sources.
  • Reservoir Process Evaluation – Assessing reservoir compartmentalization, hydrocarbon migration pathways, petroleum fluid mixing, and secondary alteration processes (e.g., thermal maturity, biodegradation, water washing).
  • Cracking Mechanism Differentiation – Distinguishing between kerogen/solid-bitumen cracking and oil/wet-gas cracking.
  • SCVF (Surface Casing Vent Flow) Evaluation – Determining the origin and composition of vent gas, identifying migration pathways from shallow or deep sources, assessing contributions from multiple reservoirs, and characterizing secondary alteration processes (e.g., microbial methanogenesis, oxidation, isotopic fractionation).
  • Production Allocation – Quantifying contributions from multiple reservoirs or sources in mixed production streams.
  • Oil–Oil & Oil–Source Correlation – Establishing genetic relationships between crude oils and their source rocks in both conventional and unconventional petroleum systems.
  • Environmental Forensic – Tracing hydrocarbon contamination sources in soils, sediments, and waters, including oil spills.
  • Pipeline & Midstream Contamination Studies – Identifying and tracking sources of contamination in transport and processing infrastructure.
  • Production Optimization – Monitoring compositional changes over time to guide enhanced recovery or reservoir management strategies.

Take The Next Step

Partner with AGAT Laboratories for precise and reliable analytical testing solutions. Our industry-leading expertise ensures your molecular and isotopic geochemistry projects meet the highest standards of accuracy and compliance. Contact us today to discuss how our specialized services can support your operational success.

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