What Does
Core Analysis Mean?
Core analysis refers to the laboratory study of the core sample retrieved from the core barrel. Analysis of reservoir rock and formation is essential to understanding the properties of a reservoir rock such as porosity, permeability, and wettability.
Core analysis provides geologists and engineers with important information on wellbore conditions and their probable productivity. There are two types of core analysis – routine core analysis and special core analysis.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Core Analysis
Core analysis is considered to give the most accurate insight into the characteristics of the well. The cylindrical core sample can be obtained using rotary drilling by installing a rotary coring bit in place of the drill bit after halting the drilling process.
Routine core analysis is performed under ambient conditions to understand:
- Porosity.
- Fluid saturation.
- Grain density.
- Lithology.
- Permeability.
Special core analysis is a complex process and is carried out in laboratories and provides additional data such as relative permeability, capillary pressure, wettability of reservoir rock, pore volume compressibility, and resistivity.
Core analysis is especially necessary for shale reservoirs because of the vertical and lateral heterogeneity of the rocks. Information obtained from core analysis can be used in the wellbore and well completion design, well placement, and other aspects of reservoir production.