Coring & Core Analysis
Acquisition, Processing & Interpretation

Duration: 5 Days
Target Audience: Geologists, Petrophysicists, Reservoir Engineers, Core Lab Technicians, Field Supervisors
Delivery Mode: Classroom / Virtual with Practical Exercises, Core Handling Demonstrations, and Case Studies
Level: Intermediate

Course Overview

This course covers the planning, acquisition, handling, and analysis of core samples from subsurface reservoirs. Participants will learn how to design coring programs, process and preserve cores, conduct conventional and special core analyses, and integrate results into reservoir characterization and modeling.

Day-by-Day Outline

Day 1 – Fundamentals of Coring

- Objectives and importance of coring in exploration & development
- Types of coring: conventional, sidewall, rotary, pressure coring
- Coring tools and equipment selection
- Planning coring programs for different lithologies
- Exercise: Plan a coring program for a clastic reservoir

Day 2 – Core Acquisition & Handling

- Coring operations at the rig site
- Core recovery techniques and calculation of core recovery percentage
- Core handling, labeling, and preservation practices
- Transportation of cores from field to laboratory
- Workshop: Develop core handling procedures to minimize disturbance

Day 3 – Conventional Core Analysis

- Routine core analysis (RCA) measurements: porosity, permeability, grain density
- Measurement techniques and corrections for stress conditions
- Plug sampling procedures and sampling strategies
- Data quality control and interpretation
- Exercise: Interpret RCA data for reservoir characterization

Day 4 – Special Core Analysis (SCAL)

- Capillary pressure measurements and wettability
- Relative permeability experiments
- Electrical properties and cementation factors
- Integration of SCAL data into reservoir models
- Workshop: Analyze capillary pressure data to estimate reservoir saturation profiles

Day 5 – Integration & Case Studies

- Core description: lithology, sedimentology, fractures, depositional environments
- Integrating core data with well logs and seismic data
- Case studies of successful and unsuccessful coring campaigns
- Application of core data in static & dynamic reservoir models
- Capstone Project: Interpret core data to support field development planning

Expected Learning Outcomes

Design effective coring programs for various reservoir targets
Handle and preserve cores to ensure data quality
Analyze and interpret routine and special core analysis data
Integrate core data with other subsurface information for reservoir evaluation
Apply best practices to maximize the value of coring campaigns

Training Methods

- Classroom instruction and interactive discussions
- Case studies and exercises with real-world data
- Excel-based economic models and production forecasts
- Software demonstrations (Petrel, Pipesim, MBAL, PEEP overview)

Customization for Regional Needs

- Examples from regional onshore/offshore fields
- Arabic-English delivery option available
- Integration with national regulatory frameworks

Trainer Profile

- Multidisciplinary instructors (reservoir, production, drilling)
- Regional NOC/IOC engineering advisors
- Guest speakers from petroleum economics and HSE backgrounds

Certification

Certificate of Completion and individual assessment report provided.