CONVENTIONAL CORE ANALYSIS MEASUREMENTS

Routine, or conventional, core analysis provides geologists and engineers with "hard data" related to
the downhole environment. Generally considered to be the "ground truth", Conventional core data is
used to calibrate log analysis results, reservoir simulations, and stratigraphic correlations.

Core Plugging and Slabbing

Core sample physical properties are usually determined from 1.5" diameter plug samples cut from
bulk subsurface core. For whole-core analysis, the cylindrical core material is cut lengthwise into two
slabs using a specially designed saw. The slabbed cores can be displayed for description, viewing, or
documentation.

Core Gamma Ray

A spectral gamma ray log of the core is essential for depth control to well logs. It is helpful in
understanding radioactive sands and carbonate reservoirs.

Basic Properties

Basic properties are measured on cleaned, dry samples drilled from the whole core by diamond bit
core drills. Standard basic property measurements are helium porosity and permeability (Klinkenberg
corrected), grain and bulk density, residual oil and water saturation, and visual lithology descriptions.

Sidewall Core Analysis

Analysis of both rotary and percussion sidewall cores include bulk volume, porosity, fluid content,
laser grain size analysis, air permeability (empirical estimate), and photography (color and UV).

Core Photography

Digital Imagery provides an easily accessible visual record of a core, core plugs, well cuttings, and thin
sections. Imagery is digitized at either microscopic or near-microscopic resolution. It provides an
easily accessible visual record of the sample. It also serves as a source of petrologic and petrophysical
data. Under ultra-violet light, oil fluoresces, so photos in both natural and UV light need to be taken.

X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) ANALYSIS

X-ray computed tomography is now the industry-wide technology for whole-core inspection at the
macro level, core-log correlation, and plug sample characterization. Standard output includes CT
radiograph plus axial CT scans. Plug scans may also include both longitudinal and axial CT scans.

X-Ray CT Scan Images

Digital Rock Physics from Macro, Micro, and Nano CT Analysis

 Digital Rock Physics is a term used to describe more detailed analysis of CT Scan images. First, higher
resolution images than conventional CT scans are made. Then the pore size and shape are quantified
in three dimensional space, and a series of well defined equations are used to generate computed
rock properties, such as porosity, permeability, capillary pressure, relative permeability, electrical
properties, mineralogy, elastic properties, and so on. Some of these can be defined in the three
primary directions (X, Y, and Z directions). Total, effective, connected, unconnected, and fracture
porosity can be derived. Permeability as low as a few nanoDarcies can be detected. Samples can be
taken from cores, core plugs, or drill cuttings. The latter allows measurement of quantitative rock
properties without coring - a significant cost saving on current wells and an invaluable source of new
information on older wells.

Digital Rock Physics

The list above shows the breadth of quantitative data that can be developed from digital rock physics
CT scans. Considerable super-computer power is required to manipulate the 3-D data set through the
numerous heavy-duty equations. One day, the technique will be turned inside-out, as was done for
the NMR method, and micro CT scans will become a borehole well log. In the meantime, grap your
sample chips and start re-logging those critical unconventional reservoirs..

Macro Level Properties =

Micro Level Properties

Nano Level Properties in Shale

White = Porosity

X- Ray Fluoroscopy

High-resolution fluoroscopy provides the ability to perform quantitative image analysis, including a
high resolution density log of the entire core. Each scan contains X-Ray density standards. The log
provides an important record of variations in lithology and porosity throughout the length of the
core. This provides approximate porosity and lithology estimates before the core is even slabbed.

SPECIAL CORE ANALYSIS MEASUREMENTS

Special Core Analysis (SCAL) provides specific information to characterize a particular rock property,
or through a selection of specialized tests, provides a more complete understanding of a reservoir
rock.

Electrical Properties
Electrical property measurements are made using either the porous plate or dynamic displacement
technique. Most labs have the capacity to test using either 2 or 4 electrode measurements at
reservoir conditions. Data include resistivities (Rw, Ro, Rt), formation factor (F), resistivity index (I),
cementation and saturation exponents (M and N), and CEC, Qv, and Co-Cw analysis for clay-
corrections.

Capillary Pressure

Capillary pressure measurements are available using porous plate, high-speed centrifuge, or mercury
injection techniques. Porous plate measurements can be performed at ambient and/or elevated
temperatures. Centrifuge data is currently limited to ambient or moderate temperatures. PTS is
equipped with 2 automated Micromeritics mercury injection porosimeters for testing at pressures up
to 60,000 psi.

Relative Permeability

We encourage early consultation with our clients in an effort to design relative permeability test
programs that are consistent with processes in the field. PTS offers a full complement of relative
permeability tests including:

Steady state X-ray CT monitored (7-point standard)

Water-oil and gas-oil, ambient and reservoir conditions

Imbibition and drainage cycling

Unsteady state (constant rate or constant pressure)

Water-oil and gas-oil, ambient and reservoir conditions

Wettability Testing

Knowledge of the wettability of a reservoir rock is a key factor for determining oil recovery
mechanisms and making estimates of recovery efficiency. PTS offers industry-standard Amott and
Modified USBM wettability tests, including the USBM test at elevated temperatures. For samples
that have been subjected to weathering, PTS offers sample restoration in crude oil at reservoir
temperature.

Pore Volume Compressibility

Hydrostatic pore volume compressibility testing is a routine offering for 1-in., 1.5-in. and 2-in.
diameter samples and pressures up to 10,000 psi. Cyclic compression and decompression tests, as
well as failure point determination tests, are also available. PTS has in-house capabilities to perform
uniaxial or triaxial stress testing. Advanced geomechanical determinations are also available.

NMR Analysis

PTS Labs is equipped with a state-of-the-art Maran Ultra NMR core analyzer, and flow-through core
holders capable of testing at both ambient and reservoir conditions. For calibration with downhole
logging tools, the instrument can match pulsed NMR tool magnetic strength and T2 echo spacing.
NMR determinations include:

Effective and Free-Fluid Porosities

Fluid Saturations & Distributions

Capillary-Bound Water

Permeability

Oil Viscosity

Pore Size Distribution & Geometry

Free Fluids, Mobile Oil, Gas & Water

Clay Bound Water

Producible Fluids and Fluid Types

PETROGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

Petrographical analyses is an essential service providing estimates of pore size distribution, grain size,
sorting, porosity and mineral abundances, fabric, rock classification, porosity varieties and
abundances.

Thin Section Petrography

Detailed thin section analysis includes measurement of mean grain size, sorting, and point count
determination of mineral abundances and porosity (minimum 300 points per thin section). Results
include a determination of Vshale, shale distribution, porosity varieties and abundances with a
discussion of diagenesis, diagenetic sequence, porosity origins and development, controls on
porosity and permeability. Point count data is presented in tabular form with color
photomicrographs accompanied by detailed descriptions.

X-Ray Diffraction Analysis

XRD analysis provides semi-quantitative determination of sample mineralogy. Bulk and clay X-ray
diffraction analysis is performed to aide in reservoir description and evaluation of reservoir
diagenesis. The data provided in tabular format.

Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis

The data output includes two (2) photographs at varying magnification documenting significant rock
properties, pores, pore throats, clays, framework grains and cements. Deliverables include a
complete written description, and elemental abundance from EDS analysis.

Back-scatter SEM allows for the development of petrophysical properties on cutting and percussion
sidewall cores where other measurements cannot be accurately made. Analysis requires BSI on ultra
polished billet and SEM photomicrograph on fresh surface. Data results are presented in both tabular
and graphical formats and includes:

Porosity
Porosity distribution (percent primary intergranular and micro porosity)

Permeability

Pore size distribution

Mean pore body diameter (ferret diameter)

Mean pore throat diameter

Mean aspect ratio

Average coordination number

Pore shape factor

Capillary pressure curves

Formation factor ("m")

T-2 distribution plot

THIS PAGE

Conventional Core Analysis

X-Ray Tomography Scans

Special Core Analysis

Petrography

THIS CHAPTER

Water Chemistry Analysis

Core Analysis Basics

Coring and Core Porosity

Core Saturation

Core Permeability

Wettability

Capillary Pressure

Relative Permeability
 Rock Compressibility

Electrical Properties A,M,N

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

Infra-Red (FTIR)

Thin Section Petrography

Averaging Core Data

Core Analysis Lab Manual

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