Print this pageDevelopment of a New Pressure Coring System for the Exploration of Unconventional Resources
Pressure core sampling techniques, which have been used on recent offshore gas hydrate expeditions, have proved to be successful in preserving the physical, chemical and geological properties by maintaining the hydrostatic in-situ pressure of the core.
On the basis of the experience gained in the deployment of pressure coring systems on gas hydrate expeditions worldwide, we developed a new tool for the use on land-based drilling rigs.
The new pressure coring tool is designed to replace the existing conventional coring equipment, which was used to drill cores for the exploration of coalbed methane reservoirs. A degassing unit enables the reservoir scientists to determine the original amount and composition of the gases trapped in the pore space of the core.
For other applications, it will be possible to transfer the core under pressure into specially designed laboratory pressure chambers for further research. Sub-sampling will allow detailed investigations of certain parts of the core.
A wireline-operated version for the use in a German scientific drilling rig is under development. Proposed fields of application include research for CO2-storage, tight gas reservoirs, and other unconventional hydrocarbon resources.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90100©2009 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 15-18 November 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil