Crude Oil Testing — Composition, Quality & Forensic Analysis
Crude oil quality varies widely and directly impacts refining routes, product yields, logistics and trading. AGT Labs provides an extensive suite of tests for crude characterisation — from simple custody transfer panels to deep compositional fingerprinting and forensic contaminant analysis.
Our testing supports traders, refiners, terminals and insurers with objective data for acceptance, reconciliation and process optimisation. Typical analyses include API gravity, sulfur and non-volatile residue, odor assessment, refractive index, electrical conductivity and fingerprinting by GC and GC-MS.
Who benefits: crude traders, refineries, terminals, marine fuel purchasers, insurers and pipeline operators.
Service Highlights
- Custody and acceptance testing including API gravity , sulfur compound analysis, color, corrosion screening, odor, refractive index and carbon residue for quality verification.
- Compositional characterization using GC-FID hydrocarbon profiling, sulfur speciation and detailed hydrocarbon analysis of naphtha-range fractions.
- Contamination assessment through non-volatile residue testing, conductivity measurements and fingerprinting using accredited GC-based methods.
Industries We Serve
- Crude Traders & Brokers — acceptance testing and dispute resolution.
- Refineries — feedstock characterisation to optimise yields and support process planning.
- Terminals & Pipelines — custody transfer testing, blending and contamination checks.
- Marine Fuel Purchasers — basic quality screening (color, carbon residue, sulfur compounds, hydrocarbon profile) to evaluate supply consistency.
Common Crude Test Matrix
Below are common tests and methods used for crude oil characterisation. Panels can be tailored to commercial, refining or forensic needs.
| Test / Parameter | Reference Method(s) | Instrument / Technique | LOD / Notes | TAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density / API Gravity | ASTM D5002 | Digital Density Meter | Determines crude oil density and API gravity for classification | 24–48 h |
| Color (Platinum–Cobalt Scale) | ASTM D1209 | Visual | General appearance and clarity check for crude & condensates | 24–48 h |
| Color (Automatic Tristimulus) | ASTM D6045 | Automatic Colorimeter | Color measurement for crude fraction clarity and contamination | 24–48 h |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | ASTM D130 / D849 / D1838 | Visual | Indicates corrosive sulfur compounds present in crude oil | 24–48 h |
| Ramsbottom Carbon Residue | ASTM D524 | Gravimetric | Measures coke-forming tendency of crude and heavy fractions | 48–72 h |
| Odor of Volatile Solvents | ASTM D1296 | Manual Odor Evaluation | Characterizes crude odor for contamination or off-spec indicators | 24–48 h |
| Refractive Index | ASTM D1218 | Refractometer | Assesses crude oil composition and detects adulteration | 24–48 h |
| Electrical Conductivity | ASTM D2624 / ASTM D1125 | Conductivity Meter | Evaluates crude oil conductivity and ionic contamination | 24–48 h |
| Hydrocarbon Composition (LPG / Light Ends) | ASTM D2163 | GC-FID | Analyzes LPG-range components in crude-associated gas streams | 48–72 h |
Laboratory Capabilities & Instrumentation
Analytical Systems
GC, GC-MS, SimDist for fingerprinting and boiling-range; ICP-OES / ICP-MS for metals; Karl Fischer for water; XRF / Combustion-IR for sulfur; automated TBP and viscosity systems.
Trade & Forensics Support
- Custody transfer panels and dispute testing workflows.
- Chain-of-custody documentation and tamper-evident sample handling.
- Statistical fingerprinting and chemometrics for source matching.
- Rapid reporting options for lifts and bunkerings.
Sampling, Handling & Chain of Custody
Crude sampling must be representative. We provide sampling guidance for tanks, pipelines and tanker liftings. Follow standard protocols (ASTM / ISO) and record temperature, desalter use and sampling point details.
Containers & Handling
- Use clean metal or glass containers for crude; for trace metals use pre-cleaned containers.
- Record sample temperature, sampling point, and any upstream processing (desalter, heater-treater).
- Split samples for parallel / independent testing when required for trades.
Transport
- Seal samples with tamper-evident closures; include Chain of Custody and sample manifest.
- Temperature control may be necessary for certain analytes; ship promptly to lab.
- For dispute cases, follow agreed sampling protocols and third-party witness procedures.
Quality Assurance, Reporting & Interpretation
Reports include COA with methods, units, measurement uncertainty where applicable, and interpretive comments. For forensic cases we provide detailed method logs, raw chromatograms and chain-of-custody records.
- COA Contents: Sample ID, temperature at sampling, test methods, results, MU, analyst initials and authorized signatory.
- Data Delivery: Secure PDF COA; raw instrument files on request (GC traces, MS files, LIMS export).
- Advisory: Feedstock routing recommendations and potential processing impacts based on composition.
Turnaround Times & Test Packages
| Package | Typical Tests | Typical TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Production QC | API gravity , density, color,carbon residue, non-volatile residue, sulfur compounds, hydrocarbon composition,refractive index, electrical conductivity. | 24–48 h |
| Stabilization & Field Processing Check | Light-end hydrocarbon profiling, sulfur speciation, color/appearance,refractive index, non-volatile residue,basic contamination indicators. | 24–48 h |
| Terminal / Storage Quality Controll | hydrocarbon composition,sulfur compounds, carbon residue, conductivity | 24–48 h |
| Refinery Feedstock Assessment | Hydrocarbon composition profiling ,sulfur speciation,carbon residue, non-volatile matter,color/clarity, refractive index | 48–72 h |
Standards & Accreditation
Testing follows internationally accepted ASTM, IP and ISO methods appropriate to the parameter. AGT Labs is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 — full scope available on request for crude and refined product methods.
FAQs — Crude Oil
What sample volume is recommended for a full crude panel?
How should samples be split for trade disputes?
Do you perform chemometric fingerprint matching?
Deliverables & Value-Added Services
- COA with interpretive comments, measurement uncertainty and raw chromatograms on request.
- Comparative fingerprint reports and chemometric similarity scores.
- Sampling protocol support, witness sampling and dispute-case workflows.
- On-site sampling and rapid-response analytical service (by arrangement).
Summary
AGT Labs’ Crude Oil Testing delivers fit-for-purpose analytical data for trading, refining and forensic needs — combining accredited methods, experienced interpretation and rapid reporting to support commercial and operational decisions.