Pawlowicz, J.G., Anderson, S.D.A. and Rokosh, C.D. (2017): Hydrocarbon analysis by thermal desorption gas chromatography on selected Alberta strata (Viking, Westgate, Cardium, Wilrich, Exshaw); Alberta Energy Regulator, AER/AGS Special Report 107, 27 p.
Six core samples, from five well locations in Alberta, were sent to Trican Geological Solutions Ltd. for thermal desorption gas chromatography to determine if heavier hydrocarbons (C6 to C40) and biomarkers (pristane, phytane) still existed in older core and, if so, then determine the quantity and type of heavier hydrocarbons present. This client report is a summary of the methodology and data from the gas chromatograph analyses.
Under the conditions used in the analysis, the following products are identified:
- straight-chained alkanes C6 through C40
- isomers 1, 2, 4-trimethylbenzene, pristane, and phytane and,
- cyclic compounds: cyclopentane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene
The samples were obtained from the following formations: Viking, Westgate, Cardium, Wilrich, Exshaw.