QEMSCAN_®

Fully Automated Quantitative Mineralogical Analysis

QEMSCAN_® represents an integrated scanning electron microscope hardware and cutting edge software suite.

This allows the fully automated acquisition of quantitative mineralogical data from a range of widely available samples - including ditch cuttings, core pieces/plugs or plug trims, hand specimens, polished thin sections and even slabbed core.

Up to 16 samples can be loaded into the machine in one go and data are captured automatically into the Datastore™ database and manipulated/analysed using the iDiscover™ software suite.

State-of the-art technology

Fugro Robertson's state-of-the-art QEMSCAN_® (Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy) apparatus provides digital imaging, and mineralogical and petrological analysis.

This flagship instrument consists of a base scanning electron microscope, equipped with four energy dispersive X-ray detectors, a microanalyser and an electronic processing unit designed by FEI. This powerful automated system can acquire and process vast amounts of chemical and mineralogical data.

Features and applications

• 12000 mineral analyses per minute
• Objective discrimination of mineral types using robust statistical software
• Rapid cuttings analysis/screening
• Grain size, shape analysis
• Rock properties (including porosity and specific gravity evaluation)
• Correlation using mineral and chemical data
• Chemostratigraphy
• Provenance evaluation
• Microfossil targeting and imaging
• 24 hour operation

Detailed Analyses

• Automatic generation and assignment of user modifiable lithotypes provides a powerful tool for the analysis and characterisation of ditch cuttings or core samples.
• High resolution analysis of ditch cuttings and core samples provides data such as the volume, shape, orientation and size distribution of pores.
• Heavy mineral analyses for sediment provenance evaluation and discrimination of igneous lithologies.
• Highly detailed grain analyses which include grain size, shape and long axis orientation used in conjunction with our Core Magnetics analyses.

Detailed, Repeatable Results

The QEMSCAN_® system is capable of capturing up to 12000 mineralogical point count results every minute.

Generating high detail datasets at a range of resolutions from a quarter of a micron spot sample spacing upward.

Lower resolution quick look analysis (around 50μm spot spacing) generates detailed mineralogical data.

Higher resolution (10μm and less) also enables the capture of textural and porosity data.

Datasets

Fully quantitative QEMSCAN_® datasets have a wide range of uses within the oil and gas industry, most notably:

• Comprehensive chemical and mineralogical characterisation of sediments/volcanic suites to assist with chemical stratigraphic subdivisions and for the correlation of key stratigraphic surfaces. Unique joint workflow with XRF/ICP analysis to quantify rare earth elements and aid correlative events.
• Detailed mineralogical and textural data obtained from the actual rock, generating valuable data for petrophysical/wireline log calibration which include specific gravity curves.

Petroleum Laboratories

Fugro Robertson Limited is the first dedicated oil and gas consultancy to acquire this instrument. QEMSCAN_® is only one of many instruments at our disposal. Our Petroleum Laboratories are equipped with a comprehensive array of analytical equipment and have been providing analytical services for both internal and external clients in the Upstream Oil & Gas Sector for 50 years.

Our Dedication

Fugro Robertson's dedication in developing QEMSCAN_® technology has resulted in an overwhelming array of proprietary applications and techniques.

Fugro is an international group servicing the oil and gas, construction, minerals and communications industries around the world. Fugro collects, processes and interprets data related to the surface and sub-surface of the earth and sea, along the coast, on land, and from the air.

Operating since 1962 and now with 200 offices in 45 countries, Fugro's distinctive Geoscience group identifies, quantifies and qualifies hydrocarbon and mineral resources, optimising the extraction and production of these natural resources using highly specialised staff and advanced technologies.

Robertson Research was established in 1961 and has nearly 50 years of experience and data in all oil and gas provinces worldwide. Acquired by Fugro in 2001, Fugro Robertson has a staff of over 200 geologists, geophysicists, reservoir engineers, economists and GIS specialists