Ministry of Higher Education

‫وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي‬

and Scientific Research ‫جامعة كربالء‬
Karbala University ‫كلية الهندسة‬
College of Engineering ‫قسم هندسة النفط‬
Petroleum Engineering Department

"Core analysis & plugging machine "

A report submitted by the students :

‫سجاد كريم هاشم‬

‫كرار شاكر يوسف‬

Supervising Doctor, Tahseen Al-Taie

Reservoir Laboratory

lecturer's name (Hawraa adil)

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Introduction
Cores are a fundamental source of information for exploration,
evaluation, development, and production of any hydrocarbon field.
Cores are a unique source of some datatypes such as rock textural
parameters or permeability. They can be calculated or estimated
based on other data sources and cannot be gained directly from
those data. Some others, such as porosity, are calibrated against
core analysis results. Cores are direct samples from the reservoir
rocks that can be tested, analyzed, and viewed by the researcher.

A core analysis project starts from the coring plan, coring, and core
preservation, and continues with three main phases including
routine, geological, and special core analysis. Some additional
stages are also included such as aeromechanics or geochemistry.

Aim the experiment

In this test we will try to prepare core plugs of Different core size
can be obtain during the drilling operation process (or can be
prepared in the lab from surface rock or geometric shape), the
main object behind this is to get more information about some
targets in which we may get or find porosity permeability, fluid
saturation, hydrocarbon composition.
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THEROY

Knowledge of the physical properties of the rock and interaction between

hydrocarbons and the formation rock is crucial in understanding and
evaluating then performance of a given reservoir. This information is
usually obtained from two main sources: core analysis and well logging.
Core plugging at the well site can be very important in delivering specific
data requirements for your reservoir, It is important to take plug samples
within the first 24 hours after the core has arrived on surface in order to
isolate the center section of core for accurate invasion analysis data.
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 stabbed cores can be displayed for
description, * (Craft, 1985) viewing, or documentation. Then the plugs
are analyzed by obtaining porosity, permeability, fluid saturations, grain
density, resistivity and mineralogy. This analysis, which is performed at
high sampling frequency and low cost, is called routine core analysis.
The results from routine core analysis are used in interpretation and
evaluation of the reservoir. Examples are prediction of gas, oil and water
fluid contacts and volume in place, definition of completion intervals and
fluid production rates. There are other important measurements with the
aim of obtaining the detailed information about the multiphase flow
behavior?

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Introduction to experiment
Apparatus Used: -
Plugging Machine: The machine can accommodate cores measuring
from 1" (1 inch) to 1.5". A swivel joint with a tap allow internal irrigation of
the core drill and a hose fitted with a tap allows external irrigation of the
core drill. The speed can be adjusted by repositioning the belt (1800
rpm-2500 rpm-3500 rpm) like core slabbing machine.
Trimming core plug machine: The machine has a motor which supplies
the rotational motion for sawing. The main machine parts are:
• Radial saw Electro motor
• Shaft and pulleys
• Adjustable tilting table
• Cooling system, including pumps, water supply, flexible pipes The machine
consist of radial saw that can cut end of pugs simultaneously. Each cuts needs
nearly 0.2 litter cooling water

4
core plugging machine

vernier caliper

5
Procedure core slabbing: -
*if the rock is big then it should first be cut by another method.
*put the sample on the table.
*check the tension on the pulleys.
*adjust the direction of water line on both saw and sample.
*check water tanks and fill them if they are empty.
*start the water pump and check the direction of water &check the
flow.
*start the saw by pressing the start bottom.
*cut the sample by screwing up & down of the saw &pushing the
sample table of machine.
*press the stop button.
*unclamp the core sample.

Experiment operation
1-Check the tension on the pulleys.
2-check the direction of the spindle.
3-fill the recycling tank.
4-mount a core sample and lock it firmly in clamping unit.
5-adjust the lower stop on the core drill 1-2mm before the end of
slab is sufficient for prevention of plugging the in plug driller.

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Touching of the driller with table causes serve damage to the
driller.
1-close the core protective housing.
2-Press the start bottom .
3-open the irrigation taps .
4-check the flows .
5-Cut the core sample .
6-press the stop button .
7-unclamp the core sample.
Trimming Core Plugs
After preparing plugs in core drill machine, all of them should be
cut into desired size. This can be done by special trimming
machine or saw machine

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 Discussion
‫مناقشة الطالب سجاد كريم هاشم‬

Q/-Why we should take core in reservoir (advantage)?

-The main object behind this is to get more information about properties of lithology
and reservoir in which we may get or find porosity permeability, fluid saturation,
hydrocarbon composition.
Q/Why it is important to take plug sample after 24 hours after core has arrived?
-It is important to take plug samples within the first 24 hours after the core has
arrived on surface in order to isolate the center section of core for accurate invasion
analysis data.
Q/Why we should always make sure to check water tanks and fill them if they
are empty (plugging machine) and (trimmings core plug machine)?
-it works like cooling system and it is important for cooling plug driller.
Q/plugging leading us for decide pressure of mud pump?
-for that we should care about pressure, for example. We have weak formation you
cannot use high pressure of mud pump for that formation, it could be collapse your
well

Q/ what is the main problem associated with core plug data?

- the main problem is alternation of core between the reservoir and the laboratory
permeameter, and the method of averaging core plug values to give a macroscopic
layer permeability.

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 ‫مناقشة الطالب كرار شاكر يوسف‬

Q/what is a safety lab doing in this experiment?

First at the (plugging machine) should be sure about close the core protective
housing, and use goggle for protecting eyes, and at (trimming core plug machine) we
should care our hand avoid a radial saw.
Q/why importance to get a core?

The Importance to get a core to collocation Core Data and Data Concerns Harrison
reinforces support for core measurements as "core:
1-confirms lithology and mineralogy;
2-calibrates estimates of fundamental rock properties;
3- shows how fluids occupy and flow in pore space;
4- supplies mechanical properties for faster and safer drilling and better completions".
Q/ plugging leading us for decide about drilling fluid, how is that?
necessary to control or reduce the contact between the drilling fluid and the core
sample, to reduce changes from the coring process, when we have weak formation
this tell them we should be using a suitable drilling fluid.
Q) what are the data we get from core plugs? -
porosity, permeability, rock type, lithology, fluid type, fluid saturation.

Q/ why does the Radial saw and the core plug machine have cooling systems?
- to protect the saw and the core bit from damage and the heat generated by the
high friction and for safety as well to prevent any launched sparks and splinters.

9
References
1. Andersen, G., 1975, Coring and Core Analysis Handbook: Tulsa,
OK, Penn Well Books, 200 p. 2. Park, A., 1985, Coring, Part
2.core barrel types and uses: World Oil, v. 200, p. 83–90.
3. Brad burn, F. R., Cheatham, C. A., 1988, Improved core
recovery in laminated sand shale sequences: Journal of Petroleum
Technology, v. 40, p. 1544–1546., 10., 2118/18570-PA.

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