Oil and Gas Testing

At METS Laboratories, we recognize that precision and reliability in oil and gas testing in the UK are the building blocks of industry trust. Our state-of-the-art analytical laboratory combines high-technology solutions and decades of specialized knowledge. We turn confusing test challenges into meaningful results, allowing our customers to make informed decisions that achieve operational excellence and environmental stewardship.

The analysis capabilities at our dedicated testing center operate with efficiency and precision through the leadership of skilled scientists and technicians. Our purpose-built facility meets every requirement of the energy sector with uniform standards of quality while maintaining accurate results for crude oil characterization and refined product analysis and environmental monitoring and specialized testing protocols.

The energy landscape development leads to expanded capabilities for testing systems. Our organization functions as a reliable provider across different aspects of energy while handling essential data for managing quality control and regulatory compliance and optimizing production processes. All stages from exploration through production to refining and distribution have access to analytical foundations for their operations through our testing services.

Standards We Follow

The laboratory maintains ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation which verifies its expert capabilities for testing services. The laboratory follows testing methods from ASTM International together with protocols from International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Energy Institute (EI) standard procedures. Our testing procedures fulfill worldwide requirements through internationally recognized standards which produce accurate consistent results.

All testing protocols at our facility receive UKAS validation in accordance with UK regulations through the Energy Act 2016 standards. Our organization maintains close interaction with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to follow the Environmental Protection Act 1990 guidelines. We maintain participation in the UK Offshore Chemical Notification Scheme to provide a full range of testing services which meets all regulatory demands of our client base.

When performing specific tests we use ASTM D1298 for density measurements as well as ASTM D445 for kinematic viscosity and ASTM D4294 for sulfur content measurement. The laboratory executes petroleum sample collection through BS EN ISO 3170 manual testing procedures while using EN ISO 4259 analysis methods to achieve reliable test results.

Environmental protection drives our testing approach. We maintain compliance with Environment Agency protocols and SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) requirements. Our testing frameworks align with Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) guidelines and Oil & Gas Authority (OGA) specifications. Additionally, we follow International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations for marine fuels, ensuring comprehensive coverage of environmental and safety standards.

This robust framework of standards and accreditations ensures that every test, analysis, and report meets industry requirements while supporting our clients’ operational and environmental goals. Our commitment positions us as a trusted partner in oil and gas testing in the UK, delivering reliable, accurate, and compliant testing services for the industry’s evolving needs.

Why is Testing Oil and Gas Products Important?

The crude oil & hydrocarbon analysis is a critical field within the petroleum industry that involves the assessment of hydrocarbon compositions, properties, and behaviors. As global energy demands continue to rise and the complexities of crude oil production deepen, the need for accurate and comprehensive analysis becomes essential to ensure.

• Product Quality & Performance: Maintaining the integrity of crude oil, fuels, and petrochemicals.
• Hydrocarbon Content: Hydrocarbon testing and analysis assist oil and gas organizations in identifying and analyzing the concentration of hydrocarbon compounds. Refiners can determine the best processing methods to maximize yield and minimize the cost.
• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting global standards such as ASTM, ISO, and regional specifications.
• Environmental Protection: Monitoring emissions, wastewater, and soil contamination.
• Operational Safety: Detecting hazardous components, corrosion risks, and material degradation.
• Process Optimization: Enhancing refining, storage, and transportation efficiency.

Our expertise in oil and gas testing in the UK ensures accurate analysis and compliance with industry standards, supporting operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Sectors We Serve

Our expertise supports a wide range of industries, including

• Oil Exploration & Production Companies: Ensuring crude oil quality and drilling fluid efficiency.
• Refineries & Petrochemical Plants: Monitoring process efficiency and by-product composition.
• Natural Gas & LNG Suppliers: Assessing purity, energy value, and safety parameters.
• Pipeline & Storage Operators: Testing corrosion resistance and contamination levels.
• Energy & Power Generation: Evaluating combustion efficiency and emissions.
• Regulatory & Environmental Agencies: Assisting in compliance and sustainability monitoring.

With our specialized expertise in oil and gas testing in the UK, we provide precise analytical solutions to meet industry demands and regulatory requirements

Categories of Oil & Gas Testing:

Crude Oil and Its Derivatives

• Crude Oil Samples: An evaluation between sweet and sour oil and between light and heavy crude for their suitability in refining operations.
• Refined Petroleum Products: Quality verification for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and kerosene.
• Lubricants & Oils: Laboratory staff determines viscosity and performance levels of engine oils in addition to hydraulic oils and gear oils.
• Asphalt/Bitumen: Evaluating properties for use in construction and industrial applications.

Petrochemicals

• Basic Petrochemicals: Ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX).
• Intermediate Chemicals: Methanol, acetic acid, and ethylene glycol for industrial applications.
• Polymers & Resins: Testing polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC properties.

Industrial Gases

• Hydrogen Gas: Purity assessment for industrial and energy applications.
• Oxygen, Nitrogen & Argon: Ensuring medical and industrial-grade gas purity.

Exploration and Drilling Fluids

• Drilling Fluids (Mud): Testing viscosity, density, and chemical stability of oil-based, water-based, and synthetic-based mud.
• Completion Fluids: Assessing brines and specialized fluids for well completion.
• Produced Water: Analyzing oil content, salinity, and heavy metal contamination.

Refinery and Production By-Products

• Sulfur Recovery: Measuring elemental sulfur obtained during refining.
• Petroleum Coke: Evaluating coke quality for industrial applications.
• Waste Products: Testing sludge, effluent water, and spent catalysts.

Environmental Monitoring

• Emissions Testing: Measuring CO, CO₂, NOₓ, SOₓ, and VOC levels in flue gas.
• Wastewater Analysis: Monitoring effluent for oil and grease, total dissolved solids (TDS), and chemical oxygen demand (COD/BOD).
• Soil Contamination: Detecting hydrocarbon and heavy metal presence in spill sites.

Corrosion and Material Testing

• Corrosion Inhibitors: Evaluating the efficiency and compatibility of corrosion prevention agents.
• Pipeline & Equipment Testing: Assessing metal and coating durability in oil and gas environments.

Fuels and Combustion Testing

• Fuel Analysis: Determining octane rating (gasoline), cetane number (diesel), flash point, viscosity, and sulfur content.
• Biofuels: Evaluating biodiesel, ethanol blends, and alternative fuel quality.

Specialty Oil & Gas Products

• Additives: Testing antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, and lubricity agents.
• Catalysts: Evaluating refining catalysts for hydrocracking and reforming processes.

Hazardous & Safety-Related Testing

• Explosives & Flammability: Measuring vapor pressure and ignition risks.
• Toxic Gas Detection: Assessing hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels and toxicity risks in oil and gas streams.

Storage and Transport Analysis

• Tank & Pipeline Sampling: Detecting residual oil, sludge, and contamination.
• Marine Fuel Testing: Ensuring bunker fuel compatibility and stability for shipping.

Renewable & Alternative Fuels

• Synthetic Fuels: Testing gas-to-liquid (GTL) and coal-to-liquid (CTL) derived fuels.
• Hydrogen & Ammonia: Evaluating alternative energy carriers for future sustainability.

Regulatory Compliance Testing

• International Standards: Compliance with ASTM, ISO, and IP testing methodologies.
• Regional Regulations: Ensuring adherence to EU fuel standards, US EPA guidelines, and other national regulations.

Natural Gas and Related Products Testing in METS Laboratories

Raw Natural Gas

Our natural gas composition and quality test methods include ASTM D7833, ASTM D1945, ASTM D1946, ASTM D3588, etc.

• Methane
• Ethane
• Propane
• Butane
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Oxygen (O₂)
• Nitrogen (N₂)
• Hydrogen Sulphide (H₂S)
• Trace metals & residues

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG):

Determining purity, calorific value, and composition

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG):

Evaluating compression efficiency and quality specifications.

Gasoline

Providing full gasoline, naphtha, and light distillate fuels testing, including:

• Acid and base numbers
• Color
• API gravity, density, relative density, etc.
• Acidity of distillation residue
• Total Aromatics, olefins
• Arsenic (As) content
• Benzene
• Bromine index
• Bromine number
• Chlorides
• Saybolt
• Hydrocarbons
• Corrosion testing (NACE)
• Distillation
• Heat of combustion
• Gum content potential
• Lead (Pb) content
• Lead reactivity
• Manganese (Mn) content
• Mercaptan sulfur in gasoline
• Nitrogen content
• Octane number
• Oxidation stability
• Phosphorus content
• Refractive index
• Silicones in petroleum distillate
• Silver corrosion
• Element sulfur

Jet Fuel

Following ASTM D1655 standard specification for aviation turbine fuels testing:

• Appearance analysis
• Particulate contamination
• Acidity
• Aniline point
• Anti-icing additives
• Copper (Cu) content
• Total sulfur
• Mercaptan sulfur
• Refining components
• Traceability test
• Volatility test
• Fluidity
• Combustion analysis
• Corrosion test
• Thermal stability
• Contamination analysis
• FAME analysis
• Conductivity
• Lubricity
• Sustainability test for aviation fuel

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)

We have a wide scope in LPG testing, including:

• Ammonia, Arsine
• Carbonyl, Chloride
• Composition of Gases (Methane, Ethane, Propane, Iso-Butane, N-Butane, Iso-Pentane, C5 & Heavier, etc.)
• Contamination to trace ppm, ppb, and ppt levels
• Oil Stain
• Corrosion
• Density
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Total Sulfur
• Mercaptans, Mercury
• Moisture
• Non-condensable Gases
• Vapour pressure
• Organic content
• Oxygen
• Phosphine
• Total Inhibitor content
• Volatility
• Vapor Pressure
• Water

Our Strengths in Oil & Gas Testing

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Utilizing advanced instrumentation for precise analysis, including GC, mass spectrometry (MS), FTIR, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, distillation, fractionation, etc.
• Comprehensive Testing Solutions: Covering the entire oil and gas lifecycle, from exploration to refining.
• Expert Team: Experienced professionals with deep industry knowledge.
• Customized Testing Programs: Tailored solutions to meet specific operational and regulatory needs.
• Global Compliance Assurance: Helping businesses adhere to international and regional standards.

Our commitment to oil and gas testing in the UK ensures accurate results, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency for industry leaders.

Partner With Us

Analysis of hydrocarbons and crude oils serves as an essential operational requirement for the petroleum sector to maintain security alongside product excellence and operational speed. The increasing demand for energy throughout the years will enhance the value of these analytical techniques. The industry will succeed at delivering dependable environment-friendly energy solutions through strategic technology and sustainability adoption.

With a commitment to quality, safety, and environmental responsibility, we provide reliable testing services that empower businesses in the oil and gas industry. Whether you are involved in exploration, refining, or transportation, our analytical expertise ensures your products meet industry standards and performance expectations.

Hydrocarbon analysis services play a crucial role in boosting operational efficiency while promoting sustainability within the energy sector.Our expertise in oil and gas testing in the UK ensures compliance, accuracy, and reliability in every analysis. Reach out to us today to receive testing solutions that enable precise operation optimization with compliance and sustainability features.