Screening of volatile organic compounds using gore-sorber method for predicting hydrocarbon generation

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to detect or identify the presence of hydrocarbon infiltration on sampling point in the Rambe River area according to the obtained VOCs and the adsorbed SVOCs. Design/Methodology/Approach – The Gore-sorber method has been used to capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) as indicators of subsurface hydrocarbon generation and entrapment. This method is usually used in environmental surveys for the oil investigations in certain areas for surface survey screening, designed to collect a broad range of VOCs and (SVOCs) at lower concentrations, quickly and inexpensively. The results also indicated a general correlation between the GORE-SORBER and reference method data. The research was conducted in Rambe River Village, Tebing Tinggi sub-district of Tanjung Jabung Barat district, Jambi Province Indonesia. The collection of the Gore- Sorber modules were analyzed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer thermal desorption (GC/MS). Findings – The results showed that from all sampling points in Tebing Tinggi areas, the dominant components detected are carbonyl sulphide, dimethyl sulfide, ethane, propane, butane, 2-methyl butane, pentane, and carbon sulfide with carbon chain in the range C2-C5. These hydrocarbon gases (C1-C4) which may be from thermogenic or microbial processes. The highest concentrations of carbonyl sulfide were 392.67 ng and dimethyl disulfide 261.90 ng. Originality/Value – In addition to estimate and predict the petroleum formation, this article provides information about the presence of oil fields in the area of the Sungai Rambe Village.