University of Karbala
College of Engineering
Reservoir engineering lab
Third Stage
Core Plugging
By: Mohammed Ahmed
And Karrar Haider
Supervisor: Hawraa Adil
● Overview of core analysis
Retrieval and analysis of cores is essential to all phases of the
petroleum industry.
Cores offer the only opportunity to obtain intact, vertically
continuous samples that allow the visual examination of
depositional sequences and variations in reservoir character.
Properly analyzed cores provide data available from no other
source; these data should provide direct evidence of the
presence, quantity, distribution, and deliverability of
hydrocarbons.
Cores are essential to understanding the nature of the pore
system in the potential reservoir unit. The knowledge gained
from cores enhances our ability to predict reservoir
performance and to select procedures to maximize profitable
hydrocarbon recovery.
Aim of Experiment:
In this experiment we will cutting the longer core to the shorter
ones (called plugs)
By using plugging machine to prepare a core plugs to execute a
set of reservoir laboratory tests and measurements on it , so the
purpose of this experiment is to prepare a small core sample
from the core that taken from the reservoir or from the walls of
a well , and measuring the diameter of the core sample plugged
● Plugging Machine
Core plugging Machine is an important tool in rock properties
laboratory. 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 the core for accurate invasion analysis.
Experiment Description
Under supervision of reservoir engineers and geologists, core
samples taken from the reservoir are evaluated. Suitable
locations for plugging is determined. Core plug with proper
diameter is drilled using a diamond drill bit in order to proceed
to the desired experiments.
Machine Description:
The machine can accommodate cores measuring from ½”
to 3”. A swivel joint with a tap allows 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.
The machine comprises of:
· clamping stand
· column
· « Spindle-Motor » unit
· adjustable tilting table
· protective housing
· clamping unit
· recycling tank
● Core plugging procedure
1- At the beginning we check the tension on the pulleys and
check the direction of the spindle
2- after that we fill the recycling tank and screw down the core
drill and lock it in place
3- we mount a core sample and lock it firmly in the clamping
unit and adjust the lower stop on the core drill 1-2mm before
the end of slab is sufficient for
(- prevention of plugging the sample in plug driller -touching of
the driller with table causes severe damage to the driller )
4- before we press on the power key we must close the core
drill protective housing
5- After we turn on the plugging machine ,we open the
irrigation taps and check the flows
6- water circulation will start and also the plug driller will start
rotation for few seconds before coming down to the sample
7- the plug driller slowly come down to the sample and each
(cm) coming down go back to start point and start again until
the maximum length that can be reached drilled and the cut of
core sample
8- we press the stop bottom and unclamp the core sample .
● Experiment operation
· Check the tension on the pulleys
· Check the direction of the spindle
· Fill the recycling tank
· Screw down the core drill and lock it in place
· Mount a core sample and lock it firmly in the clamping unit
· Adjust the lower stop on the core drill. 1-2 mm before the end
of slab is sufficient for prevention of plugging the sample in
plug driller. Touching of the driller with table causes severe
damage to the driller.
· Close the core drill protective housing
· Press the Start button
· Open the irrigation taps
· Check the flows
· Cut the core sample
· Press the « Stop » button
· Unclamp the core sample
Discussion: by Mohamed Ahmed
Q1 / Why we use water during core plugging? And Why we
should always make sure to check water tanks and fill them if
they are empty (plugging machine) ?
Ans / We use water as a function of mud during drilling
operation. To lubricating the bit and clean the cuttings,and also
it work like cooling system and it is important for cooling plug
driller.
Q2- Why do our operations cleaned core and restored core
overlap in the midst of the core analysis process?
Ans / because the pulp first cleans and defines the cleaning
process, and then re-exposes it to the reservoir fluids in order to
re-establish its condition.
Q3 / how we do the maintanance of core plug unit in plugging
machine ?
Ans / we keep the unit and protective housing clean and
remove sludge and remove debris and core particles and clean
all moving parts
Q4 /-what is a safety lab doing in this experiment ?
Ans / 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 .
Discussion: by Karrar Haider
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/plugging leading us for decide pressure of mud pump ?
-for that we should care about pressure,for example . We have
weak formation you can not use high pressureof mud pump for
that formation ,it could be collapse your well .
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 swivel is so important
The answer is / because joints with tap allow internal irrigation
of the core drill and hose fitted with a tap allow external
irrigation of the core drill
● Reference
- https://wiki.aapg.org/Overview_of_routine_core_analysis
- https://www.entranceconsulting.com/core-analysis/
- https://www.slideshare.net/AppleGreen6/core-plugging-test
- https://www.azimuthcorelab.com/web/single_product.php?subcategory_i
d=azimuthcorelab_CorePluggingMachine_15514
- https://petrowiki.spe.org/PetroWiki
- www.onepetro.org
