Advances in Micro Gas Chromatography (GC) - Fast Analysis of C1 to C8 Hydrocarbons for Mud Logging Applications within 2 Minutes Using a Temperature Programmable Micro GC Fusion

Continuous measurement of hydrocarbon gas concentration is crucial to mud loggers at the drilling site. Hydrocarbon measurement information provides operators with valuable geological formation insight that reveals where gas or oil pockets are. As a result of technological advancement in gas detection, sample composition can now be measured within minutes leading to nearly real-time analysis. Gas chromatography (GC) is a well established technique used to analyze extracted gas to provide accurate, on-site gas composition information. The INFICON Micro GC Fusion is the latest innovation that utilizes temperature programmable columns and micro-machined components to analyze C1-C8 compounds in less than two minutes or C1-C5 compounds in less than 30 seconds on a 24x7 basis. This expanded compound range and speed allow for more data to be acquired compared to traditional GC equipment. The instrument’s transportable and compact architecture makes it ideal at drilling sites where space is limited.