Technical Portfolio
Bunker Fuel Quality & IMO 2020 Compliance
AGT Labs provides professional Fuel Oil Testing Services to verify the stability, compatibility, and combustion properties of marine and heavy industrial fuels. Our Houston-based laboratory specializes in high-viscosity matrix analysis, checking for cat fines (Al+Si), asphaltene stability, and sulfur compliance to ensure your bunker fuel meets strict ISO 8217 and MARPOL Annex VI regulations.
Our Fuel Oil Testing Services support ship owners, bunkering terminals, and power plants with accredited technical data. Whether verifying Very Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) blends or monitoring heavy fuel oil (HFO) for catalytic fines that cause engine wear, we offer the precise results needed to protect high-value assets and avoid costly demurrage.
Accredited Fuel Oil Testing Services Highlights
- Sulfur Content for IMO 2020 Compliance (ASTM D5623)
- Viscosity @ 50°C & 100°C (ASTM D445)
- Cat Fines Analysis (Aluminum + Silicon)
- Flash Point & Safety Screening (ASTM D93)
- Pour Point & Flow Properties (ASTM D97)
- Water & Sediment (ASTM D1796)
- Asphaltene Stability & Compatibility Checks
- Density & API Gravity (ASTM D5002)
Key Technical Parameters
Accredited analysis supporting our Fuel Oil Testing Services suite for marine and industrial energy standards.
Sulfur Content
ASTM D5623Kin. Viscosity
ASTM D445Flash Point
ASTM D93Density
ASTM D5002Pour Point
ASTM D97Water & Sediment
ASTM D1796Carbon Residue
ASTM D189Ash Content
ASTM D482Cat Fines (Al+Si)
IP 501 / IP 470Compatibility
ASTM D4740Calorific Value
ASTM D240Total Sediment
ASTM D4870Industries We Serve
Providing specialized heavy fuel data across the maritime and industrial sectors utilizing our Fuel Oil Testing Services.
Marine Shipping
Ensuring bunker fuels meet ISO 8217:2017 specs and IMO 2020 sulfur caps to prevent fines and engine damage.
Bunkering Terminals
Verification of VLSFO and HFO blends before custody transfer to guarantee product quality and compatibility.
Power Generation
Monitoring heavy fuel oil quality for base-load and backup power plants to optimize turbine efficiency.
Industrial Boilers
Testing residual fuels for calorific value and contaminants to ensure safe and efficient boiler operation.
Fuel Traders
Independent analysis for cargo trading, blending verification, and resolving commercial quantity/quality disputes.
Insurance & P&I Clubs
Forensic fuel analysis to investigate engine failures, sludge formation, and off-spec bunker claims.
Laboratory Capabilities
Analytical Systems
Our Fuel Oil Testing Services utilize high-temperature viscosity baths, XRF sulfur analyzers for rapid compliance checks, and ICP-OES for detecting abrasive catalytic fines (Al+Si). We are equipped to handle heavy, viscous residual fuels and VLSFO blends.
Advanced Technical Support
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accredited Laboratory Operations
- Rapid Turnaround for Demurrage-Sensitive Operations
- VLSFO Stability & Compatibility Assessments
- Investigative Analysis for Sludge & Precipitates
Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody
Accurate Fuel Oil Testing Services start with representative sampling, especially for identifying stratified contaminants. We provide bunker drip samplers and proper containers with a completed CoC.
Download Chain of Custody FormContainers & Handling
- Use clean metal cans or high-density plastic bottles approved for heavy fuels.
- Ensure drip sampling is continuous throughout the bunkering process (MARPOL sample).
- Label clearly with Vessel Name, Bunker Delivery Note (BDN) number, and Port.
Transport & Logistics
- Seal samples with tamper-evident tags recorded on the BDN.
- Expedited shipping to our Houston lab for immediate testing upon vessel arrival.
- Retained samples stored for dispute resolution per maritime regulations.
Quality & Reporting
Reports from our Fuel Oil Testing Services offer definitive proof of quality for regulatory bodies and commercial partners.
- COA with full ISO 8217 specs and analyst verification.
- Secure PDF Delivery via automated client technical portal.
- Measurement uncertainty included for critical sulfur limits.
- Expert consultation on fuel treatment and handling.
Standards & Accreditation
AGT Labs is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. We perform Fuel Oil Testing Services strictly adhering to ASTM, ISO, and IP technical methodologies.
Ensuring maritime compliance through traceable Fuel Oil Testing Services data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Cat Fines (Al+Si) critical in fuel oil?
What is VLSFO stability testing?
How fast can I get bunker fuel results?
Do you support bunker quality disputes?
Certify Your Bunker Quality with Fuel Oil Testing Services
Need reliable accredited Fuel Oil Testing Services for Houston maritime operations? Contact our Houston technical team today for a custom analysis quote.
Contact Technical Specialist