RECENT TECHNIQUES IN CORING AND CORE ANALYSIS, WITH EMPHASIS ON CARBONATE RESERVOIRS

10th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference - SGEM2010, www.sgem.org, SGEM2010 Conference Proceedings/ ISBN 10: 954-91818-1-2, June 20-26, 2010, Vol. 1, 723-730 pp

ABSTRACT

The main goal of core analysis is to reduce uncertainty in reservoir evaluation by
providing data representative of the reservoir at in-situ conditions. Core analysis has to
be integrated with field and production data to minimize reservoir uncertainties that
cannot be addressed with other data sources such as well logging, well testing or
seismic. These requirements define the coring objectives, core handling and core
analysis scheme. These objectives cannot be achieved by coring a single well. Coring
program is thus an integral part of the reservoir history cycle. The quality and reliability
of core analysis data have become more important with the ever-increasing pressing
pressures to optimize field development. The post-eighties economics of the petroleum
industry, expressed as a need for even more cost effective technology combined with
the need to evaluate thin bed and non-conventional reservoirs vertical and horizontal
wells serve as both the controlling factor and driving force respectively, behind the
development of new techniques of coring and core analysis. This paper provides an
overview of recent and emerging developments and trends in coring technology and
core analysis. This is to enhance the reservoir evaluation processes. The questions of
quality control and quality assurance are discussed that aim at an early detection of
systematic challenges in data products, particularly those with a danger of causing
quality reduction. Finally the main challenges in core analysis and recent trends
affecting future tool developments will be discussed.