OIL & GAS

Fluid analysis can detect equipment failures in progress and point you straight to the root cause of problems, enabling you to prevent catastrophic failures and costly losses in production. No matter what the application – on or off-shore drilling, field services or oil and gas production – if equipment is down, it’s costing you money. Highly contaminated operating environments, extreme operating conditions and the economics of equipment replacement only increase the value of fluid analysis as a necessary part of managing asset reliability.

Below are the recommended tests for equipment and components in the Oil & Gas industry. Other test-packages or variations of these are available; but these recommended options are designed as best-fit for improved equipment and lubrication reliability.

To request a quote or if you’re looking for custom options, contact us.

Diesel Engine

Monitor fluid condition, contamination and degradation in engine oil to maintain performance, protect equipment and support reliable operation in demanding oil and gas environments.

Base Number (BN)
mod. ASTM D4739
Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185
Fuel Dilution %
ASTM D7593
Oxidation & Nitration
ASTM E2412
Soot %
ASTM E2412
Viscosity at 100°C
ASTM D2270
Water by Crackle
Internal Method

Pump and Gearbox

Detect wear, lubrication breakdown and contamination to protect critical components, maintain efficiency and prevent costly failures.

Acid Number (AN)
mod. ASTM D664
Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185
Ferrous Debris (FerroQ)
ASTM D8120
Viscosity at 40^oC or 100^oC
mod. ASTM D445
Water by Crackle
Internal Method

Hydraulics

Identify contamination, wear and fluid degradation to ensure system reliability, maintain pressure control and protect components in high-demand operations.

Acid Number (AN)
mod. ASTM D664
Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185
Particle Count
ASTM D7647 ISO 4406
Viscosity at 40^oC
mod. ASTM D445
Water by Crackle
Internal Method
Water by Karl Fischer ppm
mod. ASTM D6304

Natural Gas Engine and Compressor

Monitor wear, contamination and fuel-related byproducts to maintain efficiency, protect components and ensure reliable compression and engine performance.

Acid Number (AN)
mod. ASTM D664
Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185
Oxidation & Nitration
ASTM E2412
Viscosity at 100^oC
mod. ASTM D445
Water by Crackle
Internal Method

Mechanic hand was opening the radiator cap to check the coolant level

Cooling Systems

Checks corrosion protection, contamination and inhibitor health to prevent overheating and system damage.

Boil Point
Carboxylic Acid Pass/Fail
(Shell, Chevron or Cat ELC only)
Contaminants (Chloride and Sulfate)
Corrosion, Contaminant and Inhibitor metals (Iron, Copper, Aluminum, Lead, Tin, Zinc, Silver, Calcium, Magnesium, Silicon, Phosphate, Boron, Molybdenum, Sodium, Potassium)
Degradation Acids (Glycolate, Formate, Acetate and Oxalate)
ELC Basic Coolant analysis additive (Benzoate, 2-Ethylhexanoic acid, Sebacic acid, Octanoic acid, p-Toluic, MBT, TT Z, BZT)
Freeze Point
Glycol
Inhibitors (Nitrite and Nitrate)
Nitrite
pH
SCA#
Specific Conductance
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total Hardness
Visual (color, oil and/or fuel contamination, foam magnetic/non-magnetic precipitation and odor)

LEARN MORE ABOUT COOLANT TESTING ➔

Diesel Fuel

Detect contamination, water and fuel degradation that can reduce combustion efficiency, damage injection systems and lead to poor engine performance.

API Gravity
ASTM D7777
Bacteria, Fungi and Mold
Manufacturer
Cetane Index
ASTM D976
Cloud Point
ASTM D7689
Elemental Metals Analysis by ICP
mod. ASTM D5185
Flash Point
ASTM D3828
Micro-Distillation
Predicted D86 results by ASTM D7689
Pour Point
ASTM D7346
Sulfur
ASTM D7220
Thermal Stability
mod. ASTM D6468
Viscosity
ASTM D445
Water & Sediment
ASTM D2709

Industry Sample Trends and Intervals

Component Type	Recommended Sampling Interval
Diesel Engine	500 hrs*
Dual-Fuel	500 hrs*
Natural Gas Engine	500 hrs*
Coolant	Twice per year, beginning Summer, beginning Winter
Transmission	1,000 hrs
Hydraulic	2,000 hrs
Gear Box / Gear System	500 hrs
Compressor	1,000 hrs

*Follow Quad Z guidelines if applicable

All critical equipment should be sampled at least once every 30 days to ensure proper functionality, maintain compliance with operational standards, and identify potential issues before they affect performance.
Equipment requiring compliance with ISO 4406 recommendations should be sampled at least once every 30 days to properly monitor fluid cleanliness levels and maintain adherence to the standard.
OEM recommendations should be followed to maintain warranty coverage and ensure equipment operates within the manufacturer’s specified performance standards.
Company policies and applicable EPA requirements should be reviewed when complying with the EPA’s National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Subpart ZZZZ (Quad Z) to ensure all operational, reporting, and maintenance obligations are met.