Integrated Core Characterization Center (IC³)

This unique center is the complete rock physics laboratory which was built over a period of 18 years within Amoco. The laboratory has unparalleled industrial, commercial or academic capabilities. It evolved from a simple seismic velocity laboratory to one which includes a vast array of petrophysical and rock mechanics capabilities. We pride ourselves in offering the widest range of measurement and research capabilities in the industry. There are two modes in which the laboratory is operated: (1) specialized and routine core characterization and (2) research. It should be emphasized that research will be carried out by permanent staff, visiting faculty, and students. Routine and technical service projects will be carried out by faculty and trained technical staff. We realize that technical answers in the industry have timelines and students should not be subjected to these while attempting to perform research.

Capacity:
Because of our investment in automation during the development of a real-time field laboratory, we can make a wide array of measurements in a fraction of the normal time required by standard laboratory facilities. Our facilities are all computer controlled, allowing technicians to multitask. All tech service work is handled by skilled and trained technicians and not students. Our experience indicates that a very complete suite of measurements can be carried out at a fraction of the cost and time required by standard providers. This makes more extensive measurement suites a reality and allows for adequate geological sampling, reliable uncertainty estimation and more robust statistical relations. It permits the maximizing of information recovery from already expensive cores.

Importance of Core Measurements

Sample Preparation Suggestions

Capabilities:
 

 

Facilities:  

Equipment and Uses (Cores and Plugs)

Equipment	Application
FTIR    Thermo-Nicolet FTIR Avatar 370      Mattson FTIR Research Series	Qualitative and quantitative mineralogy
X-ray Diffractometer    X-ray Siemens Diffraktometer	Qualitative and quantitative mineralogy Clay alignment studies
X-ray Fluorescence    Elemental Analyzer Spectrace 6000	Elemental abundance above Na (plugs, powder)
Pressure Vessels 2" bore  (145,000 psi) 3" bore  (10,000 psi) 6" bore  (10,000 psi) 12" bore (10,000 psi)     integral rotational     actuator 12" bore (20,000 psi)    Triaxial capabilities	Velocities (Vp, Vs) Anisotropy Attenuation Velocity Dispersion Permeability Mechanical Properties Rheology Compressive Strength Crack Density CVA Acoustic Emissions Compaction
Load Frames    MTS-150 Kpsi, 200C, 10,000 Pp, Pc    NER-30 Kpsi, 10,000 Pp, Pc    MTS-20 Kpsi    SBEL-soil tests	Failure Studies Sanding Potential Compressive Strength Rheology Static Moduli (E, Poisson's Ratio) Consolidation Testing Creep Testing Hydrostatic crushing strength
NMR    Maran 2MHz Spectrometer	Hydrocarbon calibration Bound and free water estimation Irreducible water saturation
Laser Particle Size    Coulter LS 200	Grain size distribution
Hg Injection    60,000 psi    Micromeritics Mercury Porosimeter AutoPore IV     AutoPore III	Capillary pressure analysis Pore throat size distributions Seal Capacity Rock typing Flow unit definition
High Pressure Permeameter (3 Systems)    2-CMS300   CoreTest Automated Permeameter/Porosimeter AP608	Crack permeability Compaction Effects on Permeability Pressure dependent Formation Compressibility Flow unit definition
High Pressure Porosimeters	Grain density Pore Volume
Acoustic Systems    Velocity Systems	Velocities Anisotropy Attenuation
High Pressure/Temperature     Resistivity Cells	Cementation and saturation exponent Relative brine permeabilities
Acoustic Tomography (ATOM)	Complete anisotropic characterization Symmetry classification
Anelastic Strain Analysis (ASR)	In-situ strain ellipsoid analysis In-situ stress directions and magnitudes
Circumferential Velocity Analysis (CVA)	In-situ stress directions Pressure dependent crack anisotropy Preferred crack orientation analysis
Environmental SEM    Electro Scan SEM	Microstructure analysis Clay habitat Microfacture analysis Elemental abundance profiling Textural analysis Cementation/diagenesis studies Secondary porosity analysis Fines migration studies Scale and corrosion studies
Centrifuge     Beckman	Irreducible saturation studies Calibration of NMR saturation analysis
Sample Preparation	Soxhlet extraction Fluid extraction and Dean Stark analysis Plug extraction using brine, air, kerosene or       liquid  Nitrogen Plug extraction from frozen core Plug machining and facing Controlled humidity drying Critical point drying to preserve clays Extraction of oriented core plugs for    anisotropy studies
Thin Section Preparation    Logitech thin section equipment	Petrographic studies Staining & Fluorescent Impregnation Point counting, etc
Acoustic Emission	Kaiser effect Crushing strength determination Failure studies Fracture studies

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Last modified: 08/14/04