Gas chromatography
Gas chromatography and isotope analysis are the known methods that are used for determining the characteristics of hydrocarbon material samples. The method is also named "oil fingerprinting", and uses data about the chemical and isotope composition of liquid and gas flow for each contribution that is collected. Samples from each contributing stream is parsed, and fingerprints established, for example by using whole-oil gas chromatography methods. These fingerprints are then recognized in aggregate flows, which in turn can help to allocate back to the sources.