Soil samples were taken from 3 hydrocarbons-contaminated sites (natural oil spills) and tested by pyrolysis combined with gas chromatog. (Py-GC) to det. contents of C-10-C-40 hydrocarbons. The method could be used only at medium and high concs. of hydrocarbons (above 750 mg/kg). Use of soil exts. gave the opportunity to extend the scope of the method. To extend the applicability of the method, soil exts. were analyzed by Py-GC. The content of hydrocarbons in soil exceeded the permissible values.