Schlumberger announced at the 2016 Offshore Technology Conference the release of the Maze* microfluidic SARA analysis for reservoir fluids characterization. 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 1,900 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.

About Schlumberger

Schlumberger is the world's leading provider of technology for reservoir characterization, drilling, production, and processing to the oil and gas industry. Working in more than 85 countries and employing approximately 113,000 people who represent over 140 nationalities, Schlumberger supplies the industry's most comprehensive range of products and services, from exploration through production, and integrated pore-to-pipeline solutions that optimize hydrocarbon recovery to deliver reservoir performance.

Schlumberger Limited has principal offices in Paris, Houston, London and The Hague, and reported revenues of $35.47 billion in 2015.