Attachment_1_Statement_of_Work.pdf

Statement of Work: Gas Isotope Analysis by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS)

1.0. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (the Center) requires the analysis of methane stable carbon and deuterium isotopes to source natural gas samples collected during the methane hydrate production test being conducted on Alaskan North Slope. The project is a partnership that include the Department of Energy, the U.S. Geological Survey;

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp., referred to as JOGMEC; and ASRC Energy Services, the project operator.

The primary goal of this project is to conduct a scientific field production test from one or more gas hydrate bearing sand reservoirs using depressurization technology. The project includes the drilling and evaluation of a stratigraphic test well, followed by the establishment of a production test site (including surface monitoring, instrumented monitoring wells, a geologic data well, and two production test wells), and then the testing of reservoir response to pressure reduction over a period of about 6-12 months or for whatever period the parties find operations at the site valuable.

The USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center (the Center) requires the analysis of methane stable carbon and deuterium isotopes to source natural gas samples collected during different phases of the study. A total of 361 gas samples were collected from the geologic data well. All samples have been analyzed for methane stable carbon isotopes for source identification and gas chromatography for compositional analysis. An additional 100 gas samples were collected during the drilling of one of the pressure test wells and as many as 365 gas samples will be collected during the up to one year production test and will be analyzed in the same manner as the geologic data well samples. Up to 90 stable carbon isotope analyses by isotope ratio mass spectrometry for samples collected and samples to be collected are required to validate the analyses made by cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Additionally, up to 195 samples will be analyzed for methane deuterium isotopes and CO2 stable carbon isotopes as a complementary gas source indicator. If the analysis of carbon and deuterium methane stable isotopes does not provide suitable source diagnosis, alternate analyses such as deuterium isotopes of ethane and propane will be considered. The USGS lacks an isotope ratio mass spectrometer for making these measurements.

2.0 SCOPE

The scope of work is to analyze gas samples provided by the USGS. The samples submitted will include compositional data (concentrations of gases in the samples) that is within 10% of the actual concentration, the samples will be analyzed by continuous flow IRMS, the samples will be provided in Isotubes, Isojars or Cali-5 bags. In this case, drill cuttings will be provided in Isojars with sufficient volume for analysis in the headspace (50 ml). Flowed gas samples and degassed pressure core samples will be provided in gas impermeable Cali-5 bags. Some samples are available for immediate analysis, while others have not been collected. The duration of the work is not expected to extend beyond Dec 31, 2024.

3.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

A quote from Isotech Labs (Champlain IL, USA) for the cost of each gas species by each technique and a statement of their analytical capabilities are attached.

4.0 TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The vendor must be capable of analyzing the following gas species and stable isotopes at the minimum concentrations with the stated precision. Sample volume and ability to separate peaks could limit capabilities.

Component(s) min conc (ppm)

Max

Sample# d13C- Methane

500 0.3 90 d13C-CO2 500 0.3 80 dD-Methane 2500 5 195 dD-C2 & C3 2000 0.5 30

Hence, the actual numbers of samples per component will be equal to or less than the maximum number indicated. The distribution of analyses performed will be based on an evaluation of the exiting compositional data and an ongoing evaluation of the date received from the vendor. The vendor will communicate results within one week of sample processing so guidance can be provided about what analysis is to be performed on each sample provided.

The reason for guided analysis structure is because many of the samples have not been collected, so we do not know which analyses are possible.

5.0 DELIVERABLES

The vendor will provide an analysis report for each sample that includes the isotopic composition (expressed as a delta-value) for each component (C1, C3, C3 or CO2) analyzed.

5.0 Performance Standards and Monitoring Methods

Data reported in the analysis reports must be within the reported 1-sigma standard deviation listed in the Technical Requirements (Section 4.0).