Core Analysis for Reservoir Characterization

Program Overview

Core is the only direct sample of the reservoir, and core data calibrates logs, rock types, simulation inputs and recovery estimates. This course covers coring and core handling, routine core analysis of porosity, permeability, grain density and saturations, and special core analysis including capillary pressure, relative permeability, wettability, electrical properties and rock compressibility. Participants learn to quality-control laboratory data, correct for overburden and Klinkenberg effects, define rock types and integrate core results with logs and well tests. Examples focus on heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs typical of the Gulf, where pore systems strongly influence flow behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

• ✓Specify a coring and core handling programme that preserves sample integrity for the planned analyses.
• ✓Interpret routine core analysis data and apply overburden and Klinkenberg corrections.
• ✓Evaluate capillary pressure data to derive saturation height functions and pore throat distributions.
• ✓Assess relative permeability and wettability results and their implications for waterflood performance.
• ✓Derive Archie cementation and saturation exponents from electrical property measurements.
• ✓Define rock types that link core properties to log responses for reservoir modelling.

Target Audience

• Petrophysicists and reservoir geologists
• Reservoir and simulation engineers
• Core laboratory specialists and coordinators
• Geoscientists involved in reservoir characterisation studies

Detailed Program Modules

Training Methodology

Applied Project & Assessment