Schlumberger launched the Maze microfluidic SARA analysis for reservoir fluids characterization at the 2016 Offshore Technology Conference in Houston. This is the first commercial application of microfluidic analysis technology in the oil and gas industry.
The Maze microfluidic SARA analysis fully automates the process for testing oil samples for saturates, aromatics, resins and asphaltenes (SARA)—coupling novel microfluidic technology with spectroscopy. This method eliminates human subjectivity enabling precise SARA measurements, while decreasing turnaround time and use of chemicals by more than 85%.
"Conventional SARA analysis requires extensive time and laboratory resources, and reproducibility has been a constant challenge," said Amir Nessim, president, Testing Services, Schlumberger. "We are now able to provide our customers a sustainable method for SARA analysis that is highly accurate and efficient."
Results from the Maze microfluidic SARA analysis have industry-wide applications, including validating oil samples prior to PVT analysis, understanding physical and refining properties, assessing crude oil value, and supporting flow assurance and geochemical studies.
Microfluidic chip technology has been accepted by ASTM International Standard D7996 as the industry’s best test procedure for measuring asphaltenes. More than 1900 asphaltenes analyses using the microfluidic chip technology and 300 SARA analyses have been successfully completed across Schlumberger’s global network of research centers and reservoir laboratories.