Desorbed gas analyses of cuttings from the Gravberg—1 well, the culmination of the Swedish deep gas project, were undertaken every 100 m from 219 to 5907 m. A sample at 6517 m, from sidetrack 2, was also included. The desorbed gas method performed by hot acid treatment in an evacuated system was superior to both ball mill crushing and thermodesorption methods. Two types of hydrocarbon gases were found in trace quantities. One type associated with the dolerite sills was an isotopically heavy, δ 13C 1: −11 to −15‰, dry gas, with a methane content up to 98%. The other type, occurring throughout the granitic rocks, was an isotopically lighter gas, δ 13C 1: −21 to −39 ‰, containing 30–45% of C 2C 4 olefins and paraffins were present in almost equal amounts in the second type of gas. The dry gas observed in the dolerites is assumed to be abiogenic gas existing in inclusions of basic minerals which react with acid during the analytical procedure. The other type of hydrocarbon gas is thought to be formed from H 2 and CO 2 by a catalytic reaction since it is mainly associated with the magnetic fraction of the rock. A Fischer-Tropsch reaction over a magnetite catalyst is the most likely reaction since it produces both paraffins and olefins. Studies on thin sections of cores and coarse cuttings suggest that the wet gas is not isolated in inclusions and the changes with time observed for a few thin sections indicate that it diffuses quite freely. The potential risks of contamination from drilling fluids and bit metamorphism were examined by comparing the hydrocarbon results with changes in the mud system, rate of penetration and bit life. Hydrocarbon analyses of a few mud additives were included as well. The result of these examinations plus the results of hydrocarbon analyses of cores from pilot core holes in the Siljan Crater suggest that the hydrocarbons observed in the cuttings are indigeneous. Comparing the results of the present study with other hydrocarbon occurrences outside of the Siljan Crater indicates that the hydrocarbons found in the Gravberg—1 well occur widespread in crustal rocks.