Mercury Services

Detecting and quantifying mercury can bring substantial benefits to your business by enabling you to improve product quality, reduce mercury emissions and prevent corrosion of plant components.

SGS provides specialist services to the oil and gas industry to help detect and quantify mercury accurately.

The dangers of mercury in the oil and gas industry

Mercury poses a serious hazard when it forms amalgams with metals, particularly with aluminum. This can lead to a condition known as Liquid Metal Embrittlement (LME), which has led to several major failures in large plants. Mercury can cause damage to pipeline welds, cryogenic components, aluminum heat exchangers and hydrogenation catalysts. Failure of these components can lead to plant shutdown, with severe economic implications and, in extreme cases, uncontrolled loss of containment or complete plant failure. The simple presence of mercury can cause environmental and health hazards.

From a commercial point of view, products with higher mercury levels are considered to be of poorer quality. Such goods typically command a lower price and are even banned in certain markets.

The benefits of mercury detection and measurement

Monitoring and reducing the presence of mercury enables you to:

• Improve process up time
• Maintain asset integrity and product quality
• Maximize revenue
• Reduce mercury emissions into the environment
• Minimize occupational health risks

Mercury detection services from SGS

Using state-of-the-art instrumentation and supported by a team of specialized analysts, we can conduct mercury measurement either on or off site, as required. Our experts can suggest appropriate methods, recommend sampling strategies and interpret data.

Our laboratory services include:

• Determination of mercury in hydrocarbon samples
• Analysis of all types of environmental samples
• Determination of mercury in produced water
• Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) analysis
• Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) analysis
• Third-party verification and testing

Our experienced teams are equipped to carry out lab analysis of a wide range of sample types, including:

• Hg in natural gas
• Hg in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
• Hg in Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
• Hg in naphtha
• Hg in condensate
• Hg in crude oil
• Hg in sediments and sludges
• Hg in water
• Hg in glycol
• Hg in blood
• Hg in urine
• Hg in hair
• Hg in nails

Why SGS?

Our specialized teams of analysts based in Europe and the Far East have over 20 years’ experience of mercury measurement and detection. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation, we have the experience to help with any application you may have, either on or off site.

Find out how mercury services from SGS can support your operations.