A new North Sea oil-based standard for Iatroscan analysis

The TLC-FID technique using the Iatroscan is a fast and cost-effective way to obtain quantitative data on the composition of crude oils and solvent extracts of rocks. However, its accuracy depends on correct calibration of the instrument using standards based on crude oil, since the use of synthetic standards had resulted in erroneous response factors. In the present study, a North Sea deasphaltened oil from the Oseberg field (NSO-1) was fingerprinted and separated into saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons and polars on a large scale, using preparative TLC. These fractions were later mixed to provide a standard, which was used to calibrate Iatroscan and monitor the responses of the individual fractions. This standard has been shown to be stable for routine use and will, if adopted, render inter-laboratory data comparisons more reliable.