• c1-c5 and c3-c10 by Capillary GC and Fixed Gas analysis (CO₂, C₂H₆, O₂, Ar, N₂, CH₄) by GC/TCD Identifies major atmospheric components with a detection limit of 500 ppm. The ratio of N₂/Ar can be used to determine if a natural gas has been diluted by atmospheric components.

• He, H₂ by GC/TCD and ¹³C/¹²C or D/H of c1 (methane), c2, c3, n-c4, I-c4 or total c4 Individual hydrocarbons in a gas sample are separated by GC-TCD and combusted in an oxidizing furnace in a vacuum line to CO₂ and H₂O. H₂O is reduced to H₂ and CO₂. H₂ analyzed in dedicated dual collecting isotope ratio mass spectrometers. Stable isotope ratios can be used to determine the source of a natural gas (bacterial vs. petrogenic) and to correlate gases.

• ³⁴S/³²S of H₂S H₂S in a gas sample is isolated by GC-TCD and combusted by an oxidizing furnace in a vacuum line to SO₂. Then SO₂ is analyzed in a dedicated dual collecting isotope ratio mass spectrometer.

• Radiocarbon (for age dating of hydrocarbon gases) Methane in a gas sample is separated by GC-TCD and combusted in an oxidizing furnace in a vacuum line to CO₂. ¹⁴C concentration is measured by the Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) technique. The ¹³C/¹²C ratio is also measured to apply the ¹³C correction. Radiocarbon age provides a way to confirm the source of methane (bacterial vs. petrogenic).

Gas composition is required for isotope analysis and may be provided by the client or performed by DPRA-ZymaX. Low hydrocarbon concentrations (methane <0.5%) may require additional steps and involve a small surcharge.