Unconventional Resources

SGS provides a range of services that support the testing and analysis of unconventional natural gas resources. Unconventional natural gas is gas trapped in reservoirs previously considered too complex or too expensive to produce, generally because the technology to reach it has not been developed, or is too expensive to be economically feasible.

However, as resources are becoming harder and more costly to extract, while simultaneously technology is moving forward, it is becoming easier to utlize unconventional gas. With this, choosing to extract these resources is becoming a more profitable option. Each resource that is considered for production needs complete and thorough analysis and investigation.

SGS unconventional resources services

SGS unconventional resources services study, test, evaluate and report on your resources and the potential costs and value associated with extraction. Through our comprehensive service you have all the information you need to make business critical decisions, plan and implement profitable extraction and to optimize the production process.   

We routinely perform natural gas compositions both in the laboratory and in the field. Accurate analysis of the gas composition is essential for accurate economic evaluation of the resource in question. Coupled with advanced techniques such as isotopic ratios, advanced mineralogy and physical testing of the source rock and evolved gas provide vital information about the origin of the gas, including details on reservoir continuity, its compartmentalization, along with migration.

Analyses offered as part of SGS unconventional resources services

SGS offers desorption isotherm studies to evaluate the saturation level of the reservoir. Isotherms are performed at reservoir temperature and at increments up to 10000 psi. In addition, we also provide the following:

• Optical microscopy and petrography 
• Characterize and systematically classify the rock types and factors controlling reservoir quality
• X-Ray diffraction analysis
• Image analysis 
• Sample preparation
• Reflected and transmitted light microscopes 
• Bruker D8 Advance X-ray diffractometer 
• TESCAN VEGA Scanning Electron Microscope 
• CLEMEX optical image analysis system 
• QEMSCAN® (automated system that acquires quantitative mineralogical data using a custom Zeiss Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with four light element energy dispersive X-ray detectors)
• Saturation and permeability
• Determine the rock-fluid compatibility, regained gas permeability
• Total organic carbon (TOC) Content
• SARA analysis
• Gas Chromatography (GC)
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Diamondoid analysis
• Fluorescence
• Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH)
• Headspace analysis
• Biomarkers
• Selection and collection of samples

Read on or contact us now to find out more about how SGS unconventional resources services can help you evaluate your resource.