The Geological Services group provides data that is used by both explorationists and completion engineers. Data is acquired principally through core descriptions, thin section and scanning electron microscopy examinations and X-ray diffraction analysis. The primary objective of these studies is to accurately evaluate depositional environments, mineralogy, reservoir quality, sensitivity to drilling and completion fluids and the potential and possible mechanism of formation damage.

Services

Fracture Analysis provides a comprehensive understanding of fracture characteristics which, exist within the reservoir. This is not limited only to fracture orientation, but includes origin, density, fracture pattern and potential influence on hydrocarbon migration. The core structure data obtained can be utilized by explorationists for basin analysis and individual prospect delineation, and by explorationists during reservoir modeling, designing well drainage patterns, well completion programs and well stimulation programs.

Thin Section Analysis provides the geologist with primary rock properties like composition and texture (size, sorting, packing, fabric, cementing and microstructure). This information is necessary for establishing the most probable depositional model which, is used to estimate the delimiting criteria for the reservoir.

X-Ray Diffraction Analysis provides precise identification of mineralogic composition for petrographic correlations; a semi quantitative analysis of the rock composition (bulk fraction) and analysis of the clay fraction provides identification of interstitial clays which, control porosity and permeability. This data helps in the understanding and evaluation of well log data, stratigraphic logs and core logs.

Scanning Electron Microscopy is used to determine and identify the structure of substances and to identify individual clay minerals and their physical locations in the pore system, or as a pore lining. This data, together with XRD data, is used by geologists and reservoir and completion engineers to take engineering precautions to avoid adverse effects on the reservoir during the drilling, completion and production phases of reservoir development.

Digital Probe Permeability data is used by both geologists and engineers to identify potential production zones and in the planning of completions and perforation programs. The profile permeability data can be calibrated with wireline logs and extrapolated to predict and correlate permeable zones between wells. It also provides a detailed permeability characterization for reservoir modeling.