LithoTrack

Services

It has been widely acknowledged that core handling is critical to the maintenance of core integrity. Unfortunately, cores often don’t undergo adequate handling procedures

The rig site handling of unconsolidated core is a risky process that might hamper core integrity if appropriate procedures are utilized.

The main purpose of core preservation is to retain the pore fluids in the undisturbed core samples thus preventing saturation and wettability alteration.

Cases of invasion of core-stabilization products into fractures are often seen. This represents a common and often serious problem in the subsequent geological description of slabbed cores.

The fundamental objective of coring is to obtain core that is representative of the reservoir rock properties.

StoreCore primarily serves the Oil Industry but also provides services to numerous Universities and Research Institutions.

Kirk Petrophysics provides expert on-site core handling services.

The fundamental objective of coring is to obtain core that is representative of the reservoir rock properties.

Therefore, core handling and transport methods should provide protection against core damage from environmental changes, mechanical vibration, and mishandling.

lithotrack at the wellsite To trace down damage that might have occurred to the core, Kirk Petrophysics offers LithoTrack™. This is a self-powered recorder that continuously monitors and records shocks, vibrations and changes to temperature and pressure of the cores during the full cycle of wellsite handling, packing, storage, transport and unloading at the laboratory.

This information is of importance to improve the handling and shipment procedures for future cores or to sharpen the instructions given to all parties involved.

At the wellsite

Quality Control by experienced Kirk Petrophysics’ staff arrange for careful handling of the corebarrels at the wellsite. By attaching a LithoTrack unit to the core-laydown cradle, the handling and laydown of the inner core barrel can be monitored. This allows registration of any shock that might have occurred during the rigsite handling process.

During transport

lithotrack in transport All core should be considered fragile and therefore care should be taken to avoid mechanical damage during shipment. LithoTarge can be used to cast the core inside the inner barrel. On top of this, cushioning materials are often used to stuff the cores inside the boxes. Despite these measures, transport is often the cause of mechanical damage, mainly due the fact that commercial carriers are unaccustomed to transporting fragile cores.

By putting a LithoTarge unit inside the core container, all events that might have caused damage to the core during transport can be traced down and the proper action can be taken when and where necessary.