Petroleum Geochemistry Division – Contamination Issues...

The routine use of synthetic based drilling muds and hydrocarbon based additives has significantly complicated geochemical analyses in recent years.

In 2000 and 2004 respectively, GEOTECH completed two comprehensive Contamination Studies in which a number of common mud additives were characterised and their impact upon geochemical data was determined. These reports are available for purchase from GEOTECH. Data obtained from the contamination study, together with our many years of experience, have substantially increased our knowledge and awareness of contamination.

GEOTECH has significant experience in dealing with a wide range of drilling mud contaminants including:

      Alkane based systems, e.g. New Drill, XP-07
      Alkene based systems, e.g. Isoteq, LAO
      Glycol based systems, e.g. Aquacol, Glydril
      Ester based systems, e.g. Nexes3500

Sample preparation techniques have been devised and implemented by GEOTECH to remove specific contaminants from geochemical samples prior to analysis. Alkene removal is a technique adapted by GEOTECH which is used to remove the alkene component of contaminants such as Iso-teq or Nova Plus from an oil/extract.

It is important to recognise the occurrence and extent of contamination to maximise the quality of geochemical data. The preliminary analysis of mud reports and mud samples is an integral part of all GEOTECH’s analytical programs.