Noble Gas Laboratory Services
Noble Gas Isotope Analysis for Natural Gas
BlankSlate Innovation operates a noble gas isotope analysis laboratory that accepts natural gas samples from operators, land teams, and exploration companies. We measure He-3 concentration and the ³He/⁴He ratio in each submitted sample and return a quantitative report — no instrument purchase or on-site visit required.
Analytical services
What We Measure
Each natural gas sample submitted to BSI's noble gas laboratory is analyzed for the following, using isotope-resolved mass spectrometry rather than standard gas composition analysis.
He-3 Concentration
Quantitative He-3 concentration, reported down to a detection limit of 0.5 ppb.
³He/⁴He Ratio
The helium isotope ratio, used to characterize gas source and support reservoir evaluation.
Total Helium
Total helium content (He-3 + He-4) reported alongside the isotope ratio, so you get the full picture in one submission.
Results are reported to you as concentrations and ratios — a natural gas sample, a gas sampling cylinder, or copper tube submission all go through the same analytical services pipeline.
Submit a sample
Submitting a Natural Gas Sample
BSI accepts natural gas samples for noble gas isotope analysis from wellhead or separator sources. Accepted container type, required volume and pressure, and shipping and labeling instructions are confirmed with your BSI contact once you submit a request — they vary by well configuration and how the sample is collected.
Pricing and turnaround
What It Costs, and How Long It Takes
We recommend submitting 7 samples collected across multiple days rather than a single sample. Well output and gas composition can vary day to day, and a single reading can miss that variation; averaging across a week gives a more statistically representative result.
1 sample
$200
A single spot check of your gas stream.
3 samples
$500
Useful for testing multiple wells or production points in one submission.
7 samples
$1,000
Collected across multiple days for a statistically representative result. Contact us for bulk rates above 7 samples.
2–4 weeks
Typical turnaround from the time we receive your samples to a reported result.
The scarcity problem
Why So Few Labs Offer This
Most facilities capable of He-3/He-4 isotope ratio analysis are academic or federal research labs, not commercial service providers set up to take samples from operators. Access to that capability is typically through a research collaboration, not a purchase order — which leaves most operators with no practical path to get their gas tested at all.
The difficulty is analytical, not just organizational. At mass 3, He-3 (3.0160293 amu) sits just 0.0058 amu from hydrogen deuteride, HD (3.0218324 amu). Telling the two apart requires resolving power above roughly 500 at mass 3 — well beyond what a standard quadrupole residual gas analyzer can deliver, and one reason the capability stays concentrated in a small number of specialized instruments worldwide.
| Nominal m/z | Species A | Mass (amu) | Species B | Mass (amu) | Δm (amu) | R required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | He-3 | 3.0160293 | HD | 3.0218324 | 0.0058 | > 500 |
R required = m / Δm at 10% valley definition.
Frequently asked questions
Noble Gas Analysis FAQ
What labs measure helium-3 in natural gas?
How do I sample my well for helium isotopes?
Can a standard gas composition analysis measure He-3?
What does He-3 isotope analysis cost?
How many samples should I submit?
How long does analysis take?
How much He-3 is typically present in natural gas?
Request an analysis
Submit a Sample for Noble Gas Isotope Analysis
Tell us about your well and we'll follow up with sample submission details.