SCA 2004-50
Core Sample Preparation - an Insight in to new Procedures
Michael Byrne and Ian Patey, Corex UK Ltd
Abstract
This paper aims to challenge many of the traditional methods employed in core analysis to prepare core plug samples for testing. Studies over many years have revealed that different lithologies can be altered in different ways during plug cutting, cleaning and drying.
Core plug samples for many core analysis measurements are removed from core and then trimmed to create right cylinders. The cutting and trimming of core plug samples can affect subsequent petrophysical measurements and some procedures will be proposed in the paper derived from analysis of many different rock types.
For many core analysis measurements, samples are cleaned of pore fluids and contaminants and then either measured in a dry state or with partial or full resaturation. Cleaning and drying of rock samples can be achieved using many different techniques. These techniques will be briefly reviewed and some new evidence presented which demonstrates severe damage to different rock types caused by some commonly used cleaning techniques. The development of a new modified Soxhlet cleaning technique will be presented formally for the first time.
This paper will present laboratory data, supported by SEM analysis which clearly illustrates the sensitivity of many different rock types to preparation techniques. Opinions, strongly held and based on a weight of evidence will be presented and we expect the paper to add to the already lively debate which exists on these topics.