Petrophysics / Core Analysis Division - Tests And Services...

Routine Core Analysis

Core Photography
Photography serves as a permanent record of core sections and is most useful for
presentations and detailed geological studies. Core can be photographed in a large variety of formats and under either white or ultraviolet (UV) light. UV photography highlights the oil in core sections and is therefore a useful tool in reservoir evaluation. Typically, slabbed core sections are photographed under white light as well as under ultra violet light to capture the oil (if present) fluorescence. Digitized images of the core can be stored on photo CDs as a substitute for a hard copy of the core photography or negatives, which will deteriorate over time. These images have the added advantage of being able to be transferred electronically and enlarged to zoom in on minute details.


Profile Permeametry
A steady state mini-probe permeameter is used to measure in situ gas permeabilities of whole/slabbed core sections. Readings are taken in regular, closely-spaced intervals in order to obtain a rapid estimate of permeability variation along the length of a core. Permeability data are captured and processed on a logging computer, using custom designed acquisition software.


Porosity/Permeability/Grain Density Measurements
Porosity is defined as the ratio of the pore volume to the bulk volume of a material. Porosity is measured on plug samples after they have been cleaned and dried to remove all reservoir fluids and residual salts by injecting the sample with helium. Porosity can also be measured on sidewall cores and full diameter core sections, as well as at overburden conditions.

Permeability is a measure of the ability of a porous material to transmit fluid. Routine permeability measurements are performed with air as the flowing medium. The basic unit of permeability is the Darcy, and core permeability measurements are generally reported in millidarcies (1/1000 of a Darcy). Permeability can also be measured on sidewall cores and on full diameter core sections, as well as at overburden conditions.