Advanced Analytical Services for the Oil, Gas & Mining Industries

High-precision SEM, PXRD, EDX, and spectroscopic analysis for the oil, gas, and mining industries. From frac sand morphology to mineral ID and corrosion studies, our experts support exploration, production, and compliance.

Unlock Critical Insights with Advanced Mineral & Material Testing

At Triclinic Labs, we deliver advanced analytical testing and materials characterization to support the oil, gas, and mining industries. Whether you’re evaluating core samples, assessing tailings, troubleshooting corrosion, or qualifying proppants, our lab combines SEM, EDX, PXRD, ICP-MS, FTIR, XRF, and thermal analysis to provide precise, defensible results. From mineral identification to trace metal detection and failure analysis, we help energy and resource companies make faster, data-driven decisions with confidence.


Technique Applications Deliverables:
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

  • Morphology of drill cuttings, tailings, and mineral fines

  • Surface topography of corrosion products on pipeline materials or rock surfaces

  • Particle size and shape analysis of proppants, frac sands, and metal particulates

 

  • High-resolution micrographs

  • Morphological classification

  • Particle distribution reports

 
Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX)

  • Elemental mapping of ore or mineral deposits

  • Inclusions or impurity analysis in rock samples, tailings, or corrosion products

  • Identifying heavy metal content (e.g., arsenic, lead) in mining waste

  • Elemental spectra and quantified composition

  • Distribution maps across polished sections

  • Phase impurity identification

 
Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD / XRPD)

  • Mineral phase identification (e.g., quartz, feldspar, pyrite, barite, calcite)

  • Clay mineral analysis for shale stability or drilling fluid performance

  • Crystallinity and polymorphism in process intermediates

  • Quantitative phase analysis (e.g., Rietveld refinement for ore composition)

  • Qualitative and quantitative mineral ID

  • Crystallinity index

  • Multi-phase quantification with % composition

 
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)

  • Hydrocarbon residue analysis on surfaces or equipment

  • Identification of organic binders or coatings

  • Clay and silicate group differentiation

  • IR spectra (absorbance/transmittance vs. wavenumber)

  • Annotated peak assignments with functional group interpretation

  • Comparison to reference spectra (library match reports)

  • Qualitative identification summary (e.g., kaolinite vs. montmorillonite)

  • PDF report with material classification and interpretation

 
UV-Vis Spectroscopy

  • Analysis of metal ions or organics in leachates or water samples

  • Absorbance spectra (absorbance vs. wavelength)

  • Calibration curves and concentration calculations

  • Quantitative concentration data in mg/L or ppm

  • Summary report with method, detection limits, and results

  • Optional: Compliance comparison to regulatory limits
Raman Spectroscopy (optional but recommended add-on)

  • Polymorph and phase ID for carbonaceous materials (e.g., graphite vs. amorphous carbon)

  • Identification of sulfide minerals, oxides, and hydrocarbons

  • Raman spectra (intensity vs. Raman shift)

  • Phase identification (with mineral or compound match)

  • Peak assignment and molecular structure correlation

  • Mapping data (for spatial variation studies)

  • Expert summary interpreting structure or polymorph type
ICP-MS

  • Trace elemental analysis of ores, tailings, or produced water

  • Heavy metal content, REEs (rare earth elements), toxic elements

  • Elemental concentration table (ppm, ppb, or % w/w)

  • Full quantitation of >30+ elements per run (customizable panels)

  • Sample preparation details and digestion method

  • LOD/LOQ documentation
TGA / DSC (Thermal Analysis)

  • Quantify volatile content, moisture, organics

  • Thermal stability of minerals or additives

  • TGA curves (mass loss vs. temperature) with derivative thermogravimetry (DTG)

  • DSC thermograms (heat flow vs. temperature) for transitions like melting or crystallization

  • Quantitative breakdown: % water, % organics, % ash

  • Interpretation of thermal events and material behavior

  • Optional: Coupled FTIR analysis of evolved gases (TGA-FTIR)

  • Consolidated PDF report with thermal profiles and analysis summary
XRF (X-ray Fluorescence)

  • Bulk elemental composition of core samples, slag, or cementitious materials

  • Elemental oxide content (% w/w or ppm)

  • Tabulated data for all detectable elements (Na–U range depending on configuration)

  • Comparison to known geological standards or customer specifications

  • Optional: LOI (Loss on Ignition) included if requested

  • PDF CoA with spectrum output and quantitation summary

  • Optional export: Excel data format for modeling or blending calculations

 


Analytical Services Supporting Oil, Gas, and Mining industries

Package Services Ideal For
Mineral ID + Composition PXRD + EDX + XRF

Mining exploration and QA labs
Frac Sand Evaluation SEM + PXRD + TGA

Oilfield service providers
Corrosion & Scale Analysis SEM + EDX + FTIR Pipeline operators, refineries
Produced Water Characterization ICP-MS + UV-Vis + FTIR Oilfield environmental compliance
Failure/Contaminant Analysis SEM/EDX + Raman + PXRD Drilling contractors, equipment OEMs


 

Applications We Support:

Oil & Gas Industry

  • Frac sand and proppant characterization (morphology, composition, crush resistance)
  • Scale and corrosion product analysis from pipelines and equipment
  • Produced water testing for trace metals and organic residues
  • Polymer and additive analysis in drilling fluids and completion systems
  • Failure analysis of coatings, elastomers, and metallic components
  • Hydrocarbon residue identification on surfaces and filter media
  • Geological core analysis and reservoir mineralogy

Mining & Mineral Processing

  • Mineral phase identification and quantification (clays, sulfides, oxides, silicates)
  • Ore grade and composition analysis using bulk and trace methods
  • Tailings and leachate characterization for environmental compliance
  • Rare earth element (REE) detection and quantification
  • Clay and alteration mineral analysis for geometallurgy and deposit modeling
  • Refractory and slag analysis for smelting and metallurgical optimization
  • Thermal stability and ash content of processed materials

Environmental & Geotechnical

  • Heavy metal contamination profiling in soil and sediment
  • Elemental mapping of contamination hotspots in drill cuttings
  • Speciation and thermal behavior of materials from remediation sites
  • Soil and rock characterization for subsurface modeling

Why Choose Triclinic Labs?

Deep Materials Expertise
Our scientists bring decades of experience in solid-state, mineral, and material characterization—delivering precise, regulator-ready insights to the energy and resource sectors.

Advanced Instrumentation
We combine SEM/EDX, PXRD, FTIR, ICP-MS, XRF, thermal analysis, and more—enabling multi-modal, high-resolution analysis from surface to structure to elemental composition.

Rapid Turnaround, Defensible Results
Time-critical projects are our specialty. You get accurate, interpretable data with the documentation needed for internal decisions or regulatory filings.

One Lab, Multiple Capabilities
Avoid the hassle of coordinating across multiple vendors. Our comprehensive suite of techniques allows you to centralize testing while enhancing consistency and cost-efficiency.

cGMP & Industrial Flexibility
Whether you're operating under environmental compliance, engineering specs, or pharmaceutical-grade requirements, we adapt our quality systems to meet your project’s needs.



Your Oil and Mineral analysis partner!


Let Triclinic Labs help you characterize your materials, troubleshoot challenges, and accelerate decision-making.