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The Petroleum Geochemistry Research Laboratory (PGRL) provides analytical capabilities and technical expertise in support of research and assessment projects within the USGS Energy Resource Program with a commitment to the provision of quality petroleum organic geochemistry and mineralogy data. PGRL is also active in the development and distribution of shale and natural gas reference materials.

Please click on an analysis listed below to see a PDF of the analytical method for that analysis.  

 

Analyses Performed
Requested AnalysisMost Common Sample Types
(note if different)
Container TypeAmount
of Sample
Comments
API GravityOil Glass10 mg 
Fractionation Oil or Rock ExtractGlass100 mg 
FTIRRock or OilGlass1 mg 
GCFID_AromAromatic FractionGlassNA 
GCFID_SatSaturate FractionGlassNA 
GCFID_WhOilOil or Rock ExtractGlass10 mg 
Isotope_COil, Oil Fraction, SolidsGlass for oil or oil fractions,
various for solid samples
10 mg for oil and oil
fractions, variables for 
solids
 
Isotope_CNatural GasIsotube or stainless steel
cylinder
50 psisamples must have minimally
>2 mol% of compound(s) for analysis
Isotope_HDNatural GasIsotube or stainless steel cylinder50 psisamples must have >10 mol% C1 for analysis
MSD_BIOM_SAT Saturate FractionGlass50 mg 
MSD_BIOM_AROAromatic FractionGlass50 mg 
Outside Lab Analysis*VariableVariableVariablecontact prior to submittal
Programmed PyrolysisSolidVariable10 gplease grind to ~60 mesh, or request sample prep on the sample submittal form
Sample Prep**VariableVariableVariablevariable
SEM***SolidVariable contact prior to submittal
Total CarbonSolidVariable10 gplease grind to ~60 mesh, or request sample prep on the sample submittal form
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)SolidVariable10 gplease grind to ~60 mesh, or request sample prep on the sample submittal form
XRDSolidVariable5 gplease grind to ~60 mesh, or request sample prep on the sample submittal form

*In-house method not available, samples sent to outside lab
**Includes various techniques (the following is an incomplete list: crushing and sawing)
***SEM Analysis requires Mineralogy lab manager approval prior to acceptance (aboehlke@usgs.gov)

 

Sample Submittal Procedure

Please clearly identify sample names on sample containers before submission 

The login form is an excel spread sheet with macros that populate the drop-down list. 
For submitting samples, fill out login form (available for download below) with required information: submitter information, analysis requested (Must be English language), Field Id, Sample Type, Lat/Long Qualifier, Lat/Long, and units.  All other information, like depth, should be filled in where possible. 

Sample Login Form Ver. 2.3

Items with a drop-down list must be selected. 

Naming convention for file should be last name, underscore, and a unique identifer (Example: Smith_Anadarko1)

Send login form to energylabs@usgs.gov
Please send a packing list detailing the unique names for the samples in the  box with the samples.

Send samples to:
U.S. Geological Survey 
Attn: PGRL
One Denver Federal Center
Building 810, Entrance E-11, MS 977
Denver, CO 80225

or if you are located on the DFC you can bring the samples to Bldg. 20, A-wing.

Once samples arrive they will be matched up and checked against the login form for accuracy.  If there are any discrepancies or questions you will be contacted before the samples are logged in. 

Confirmation of login will be sent to submitter via email. 

The submitter must verify all information is correct.  If it is not, send email to energylabs@usgs.gov with a detailed description of what is wrong.

Please send all sample login and lab-related questions to energylabs@usgs.gov

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