Stable Isotope Analysis of (crude) oil samples
At Isolab, we offer advanced stable isotope analysis of crude oils, oil fractions, and rock extracts. These analyses provide valuable insights into the origin, alteration, and composition of petroleum systems.
Bulk Isotope Analysis (EA-IRMS)
Using Elemental Analyzer Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (EA-IRMS), we provide:
• Carbon isotope ratios of oils and oil fractions.
• Hydrogen isotope ratios of oils and oil fractions.
Accuracy: approximately ±0.1‰ for carbon isotopes and ±1.0‰ for hydrogen isotopes.
Requires only milligrams of sample material.
More information about separation of oil samples into fractions and extraction of rock samples
Bulk isotopes vs. Component Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA)
Where a bulk isotope analysis measures the average isotope value of the complete sample, Component Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) measures the isotope value of discrete components. Most common oil CSIA analysis are:
- Carbon or hydrogen isotopes of n-alkanes
- Carbon or hydrogen isotopes of pristane and phytane
- Carbon isotopes of light hydrocarbons (C7 CSIA)
n-alkane fraction
Pre-separation of the n-alkanes follows the method of Grice et al., Organic Geochemistry 39 (2008), 284–288. To preserve the light end of the oil sample, the whole oil is used for the sprepration step instead of a saturates fraction.