DIAMOND CORINGTECHS

Wahid Mia, Manager (Geology)

B A P E X
Defination of Cores
A core sample, or simply core, is a section of roc c!t o!t (or cored) from a geological formation "y
core drilling# $n another %ay, a core is a sample of roc in the shape of a cylinder# &aen from the side of
a drilled oil or gas %ell, a core is then dissected into m!ltiple core pl!gs, or small cylindrical samples
meas!ring a"o!t ' inch in diameter and ( inches long# &hese core pl!gs are then dried and meas!red#
Types of Cores
&here are se)eral types of cores that can "e reco)ered from the %ell, incl!ding a) f!ll*diameter cores, ")
oriented cores, c) nati)e state cores and d) side%all cores#
a) Full-diameter cores: +anging in si,e from appro-imately '#./ to /#0/ inches (11#/ to '((#1 mm) in
diameter and a"o!t 02 to 122 feet (3#' to '0'#4 m) in length, a f!ll*diameter core is the typical coring
sample that is taen from a %ell# Beca!se reser)oir rocs that are highly fract!red, and th!s )ery poro!s,
are not retained in the core "arrel, loss of core can "e a )ery strong sign for the reser)oir roc#
b) Oriented cores: 5riented cores are mared %ith a groo)e along the length of the sample to indicate
the geographic or magnetic north#
c) Native state cores: $n an effort to contain all the fl!ids in the core !nder reser)oir conditions, nati)e
state cores are "agged, or encircled "y a r!""er slee)e as the sample is drilled#
d) Sidewall cores: A less e-pensi)e and less time*cons!ming option to o"tain a core sampling, side%all
coring in)ol)es retrie)ing se)eral small core samples meas!ring appro-imately ' inch in diameter and
'#./ inches long#
Coring Fluids: Modern coring6drilling fl!ids are !sed d!ring most coring operations# 7o%e)er, if
determination of endpoint sat!rations is one of the o"8ecti)es, a coring fl!id is designed to maintain the
immo"ile phase sat!ration# $f a core is to "e !sed to define fl!idsat!ration dependent parameters, s!ch as
relati)e permea"ility, capillary press!re or electrical properties, the drilling fl!id sho!ld "e form!lated to
maintain core %etta"ility characteristics as they %ere in the reser)oir# 9ore handling : preser)ation
proced!res are designed to maintain the physical integrity : reser)oir %etta"ility !ntil planned tests are
completed# &he ideal coring program considers roc type, degree of consolidation : fl!id type# $t
minimi,es physical and chemical alteration of the roc and can incl!de speciali,ed press!re, sponge or
gel coring systems#
&he selection of a coring fl!id sho!ld "e "ased on fo!r points; a# <afety# "# &he primary o"8ecti)e of the
coring program# c# En)ironmental concerns# d# 9ost#
&he o"8ecti)es of the coring program sho!ld infl!ence the selection of the coring fl!id# All coring fl!ids
sho!ld "e designed to ha)e lo% static AP$ filter loss : )ery lo% dynamic sp!rt loss to minimi,e core
fl!shing# &he =!estion of %hich drilling fl!id is "est for coring cannot "e ans%ered directly# Water*"ased,
oil*"ased, foam : air6mist drilling fl!ids ha)e all "een !sed to s!ccessf!lly c!t cores# E)al!ating the
needs of the drilling : core analysis program %ill lead to an appropriate selection#
9ommon drilling fl!ids are rotary %ash %ith %ater, foam or drilling m!d ("entonic or polymeric
sl!rries), re)ert# >l!ids red!ce %ear on drilling and coring "its "y cooling# >l!ids remo)e c!ttings : roc
flo!r# +ecirc!late to filter fl!ids and to minimi,e impact on en)ironment#
Core arrels
&o collect the core of the roc drilled, a de)ice no%n as the core "arrel is !sed# 9ore "arrel retains roc
core samples from drilling operations# $ts length )aries from 2#/ to ( m# &here are three types of core
"arrel in !se; i) &he single t!"e core "arrel, ii) ?o!"le t!"e core "arrel : iii) &ripple t!"e core "arrel
i) Single tube core barrel @ Most r!gged, least e-pensi)eA 9onsists of head section, core reco)ery t!"e,
reamer shell : c!tting "itA 5ften !sed as starter %hen "eginning core operationsA 9oring in homogeneo!s
hard roc (%here the core does not %ash a%ay or cr!m"le easily) and penetrating roc layers a"o)e the
strata (%here high core reco)ery is not essential)# <ingle t!"e core "arrels are often !sed as a starter "arrel
d!ring the "eginning of the coring operations# A single t!"e core "arrel is s!ita"le for homogeneo!s
formations %here the core is not eroded "y fl!shing %ater and a solid core can "e taen %itho!t ris of
"locage in the "arrel# &he core lifter is placed %ithin the "e)el shell %hich has its inside conically
shaped to recei)e the former# &he core lifter is corr!gated in the inner face and is a split ring# $t occ!pies
the %ider portion of the "e)el shell %hen drilling taes place so that it has little or no tendency to grip the
core# After certain progress in drilling %hen the rods are lifted to tae o!t the core, the split ring descends
inside the "e)el shell and grips the core# &he latter may no% "e "roen off "y a t%ist and raised to the
s!rface# &he core lifter is replaced after a"o!t 0/2m of drilling# &he larger particles of drill c!ttings %hich
the circ!lating %ater fails to carry !p to the s!rfaces settle do%n in the m!d "!cet#
ii) Double tube core barrel @ $t is the standardA 5!ter "arrel rotates %ith c!tting "itA $nner "arrel is either
fi-ed or s%i)el type (%ith "earings) that retains core sampleA 9ore diameters generally ranges from 0' to
B/ mm (2#B/ to (#(/ inches)A CX core; standard diameter D /1 mm (0#'/ inches)#
iii) Tripple core barrel @ Good for o"taining core samples in fract!ring roc and highly %eathered rocA
5!ter core "arrel for initial c!t and second "arrel to c!t finer si,e, &hird "arrel to retain cored samplesA
+ed!ces frictional heat that may damage samples#
Conventional Core arrel: 9on)entional coring tools are a)aila"le to c!t cores %ith o!ter diameters
from '#./ to /#0/ inches (11#/ to '((#1 mm)# 9ore length can r!n from (2 feet (4#'1 m) for ready*made
core preser)ation system# &he inner "arrels, e#g#, mild steel, high strength steel, fi"erglass, al!min!m and
steel %ith a plastic, fi"erglass : al!min!m liners etc# s!mmari,es some of the a)aila"le con)entional
coring options#
!eavy-duty Conventional Core arrels: <pecial hea)y*d!ty coring tools ha)e "een de)eloped to core
harder than normal formations, and c!t e-tended length cores# 7ea)y d!ty threads allo% more tor=!e to
"e applied to the "it, and impro)e the margin of safety against tool fail!re# ?esigned to c!t cores !p to
/#0/ inches ('((#1 m) in diameter, these tools are especially attracti)e in sit!ations %here rig time is the
largest coring e-pense#
"ressure Containing Core arrel; &he press!re containing core "arrels are designed to retrie)e cores
maintained at reser)oir press!re conditions# &hese "arrels are a)aila"le in t%o si,es; 3*inch ('/0#1*mm)
: B*inch (02(#0*mm) o!tside diameter that c!t cores 0#/2* : (#./*inch (3(#/* : 4/#(*mm) o!tside
diameter, respecti)ely# &he 3*inch ('/0#1*mm) o!tside diameter "arrel c!ts !p to 02 feet (3#' m) of 0#/*
inch (3(#/*mm) diameter core %hile holding a ma-im!m of '2,222 psi (34 MPa) press!re# &he B*inch
(02(#0*mm) o!tside diameter "arrel c!ts '2 feet ((#2/ m) of (#./*inch (4/#(*mm) diameter core %hile
retaining a ma-im!m of /,222 psi ((1#/ MPa) internal press!re#
#ubber-Sleeve Core arrel: &he r!""er*slee)e "arrel is !ni=!e in that the top of the inner "arrel does
not mo)e relati)e to the core d!ring coring# &he o!ter "arrel is drilled do%n aro!nd a col!mn of roc that
is progressi)ely encased in a r!""er slee)e# &he r!""er slee)e is smaller than diameter of the coreA it
stretches tightly aro!nd the core, %rapping it sec!rely : protecting it from the sco!ring action of the
drilling fl!id# &here is only one si,e of r!""er*slee)e core "arrel that c!ts 02 feet (3#' m) of (*inch (.3#0*
mm) diameter core per trip# &he r!""er slee)e is limited to temperat!res no higher than 022E> (4(E9)#
$ireline-#etrievable Core arrel: &he %ireline*retrie)a"le coring tools are !s!ally smaller : lighter
than "!t operationally similar to con)entional coring systems e-cept they are designed for the inner core
"arrel to "e p!lled to the s!rface "y a %ireline# &his speeds the coring operation "y eliminating the need
to trip the entire drill string for each core# A ne% section of inner core "arrel is p!mped do%n the drill
string : latched into place for additional coring, or a drill pl!g is p!mped do%n to facilitate drilling
ahead# Fnfort!nately, the core diameters are limited since the entire inner core "arrel assem"ly m!st pass
thro!gh the drill string#
$ireline Sidewall Coring Tool: &hese tools may "e positioned in ,ones of interest !sing data from
gamma ray or spontaneo!s potential logs as g!ides# &he samples pro)ide small pieces of formation
material, s!ita"le for geologic st!dies#
a "ercussion Sidewall Coring Tool: &hese tools shoot hollo%, retrie)a"le, cylindrical "!llets into the
%all of an !ncased hole# &he tool (g!n) is lo%ered to the desired depth on a %ireline, and then fired "y
electrical imp!lses controlled from the s!rface# &he "!llets remain connected to the g!n "y %ires, and
mo)ement of the g!n p!lls the "!llets, containing the samples, from the hole %all# Fp to 33 samples, '
inch (0/#1 mm) in diameter "y '#./ inches (11#/ mm) in length, may "e taen d!ring one do%nhole trip#
$t is %ise to ha)e more than one type of "!llet core "arrel on location !ntil accepta"le core reco)ery
can "e sho%n#
b #otary or Drilled Sidewall Coring Tool: &he rotary side%all coring tool %as de)eloped to reco)er
%ireline side%all core samples %itho!t the shattering impact of the perc!ssion system# &his tool !ses a
diamond*tipped drill to c!t indi)id!al samples# A ma-im!m of (2 samples, '/6'3*inch (0(#4 mm)
diameter "y '#./ inches (11#/ mm) length, may "e taen d!ring one trip#
Oriented Core arrel: 5rientation of the core "arrel is accomplished !sing electronic, m!ltishot
instr!ments : speciali,ed core scri"ing e=!ipment# 5riented core pro)ides orientation of core to
determine direction : degree of formation dip, tilt of formation fract!res and directional permea"ility#
Fluid Disc%arge C%aracteristic of Core its
a& T%roat Disc%arge: &hroat discharge core "its are designed to ha)e '22G of the fl!id pass "et%een the
core shoe : the inside diameter of the core "it (the t%roat)# &hroat discharge "its are designed to clean
the inside diameter of the core "it, remo)ing c!ttings from this area to ens!re a )ery smooth entry of the
core into the core "arrel#
b& Face Disc%arge: >ace discharge core "its are designed to di)ert some fl!id that %o!ld normally pass
thro!gh the throat of the "it to the face of the "it# &his cleans the face of the "it and red!ces the amo!nt of
fl!id sco!ring the core as it enters the core "arrel#
c& 'ow-(nvasion "rofile; &he lo%*in)asion profile coring "its are designed to ma-imi,e penetration rate
: minimi,e drilling fl!id filtrate in)asion into the core# &he design incorporates face discharge ports, a
red!ced n!m"er of c!tters, and a diminished clearance "et%een the inner core "arrel : the "it face#
Core Catc%ers
&he core catching de)ices are hollo% "arrels to catch the core, need "all or rod to close the catcher# &he
single most critical part of e)ery coring system is the core catcher that holds the core in the "arrel as it is
"ro!ght to the s!rface# &here are many types of core catchers, e#g#, split*ring, spring, collet, slip, dog or
flapper, "aset and f!ll*clos!re etc#
Coring its
9ore "it is an ann!lar (do!ghn!t*shaped) diamond "it to c!t the core# $t is a "asic part of the coring
system# With a little "acgro!nd information, it is possi"le to mae informed decisions on c!tter types,
"it profile : hydra!lic considerations for the range of anticipated coring conditions# >inal "it selection
sho!ld "e g!ided "y the goals of the coring program, co!pled %ith a confirmation that the "it has pro)en
itself in the field for similar applications# &he hardness, a"rasi)ity : )aria"ility of the rocs to "e cored
%ill ha)e the greatest infl!ence on c!tter selection# General g!idelines s!ggest !se of smaller, more
impact*resistant c!tters as the formations get harder# Ho%*in)asion, face discharge core "its designed for
!nconsolidated*to*medi!m strength formations can "e !sed in harder or more a"rasi)e rocs, "!t "it life
may "e drastically red!ced# &he information presented in the follo%ing ta"le pro)ides an o)er)ie% of the
types of coring "its that are a)aila"le#
+oc Properties +oc &ype 9ore Bit
Fltra*hard, a"rasi)e roc I!art,ite, $gneo!s +ocs $mpregnated nat!ral diamond#
7ard, a"rasi)e roc <andstone, <hale, <iltstone Cat!ral diamonds s!rface set or &<P c!tters
7ard, non*a"rasi)e roc Himestone, ?olomite, Anhydrite &<P c!tters
Medi!m to hard roc %ith
a"rasi)e layers
<andstone, Himestone, <hale &<P or s!rface set nat!ral diamonds
<oft to medi!m strength roc <andstone, 9hal, <hale P?9 c!tters, lo% in)asion
<oft rocs, no sticy layers <alt, Anhydrite, <hale P?9 or roller cone c!tters
<oft, sticy roc G!m"o 9lay P?9 c!tters, face discharge
Table: )eneral Coring it )uide
*& Natural Diamond its: Cat!ral diamond core "its are !sed %hen formations are too hard (high
compressi)e strength) :6or a"rasi)e for other "it types (other type c!tting elements)# Harge nat!ral
diamonds can "e s!rface*set in a t!ngsten car"ide matri-, or fine diamond chips can "e dispersed in
matri- to form %hat is called an impregnated diamond "it# $mpregnated nat!ral diamond "its are for
!ltra*hard formation applications# 9ommonly !sed si,e; 'J thr! to '3J diameter#
Diamond Core its Surface Set Diamond Core its (mpregnated Diamond its
& "olycrystalline Diamond Compact: P?9 drill "it is a ne% prod!ct after the hot*pressed and
electroplated drill "it recent years# &he main feat!res of P?9 "it are; (i) $t has a s!per long life# &he
grinding6cons!mption ratio of P?9 is 02*12 times that of t!ngsten car"ide "it and '2 times that of
diamond "it# (ii) $t had high drilling speed# (iii) $t can "e operated %ith lo% press!re and lo% speed# (i)) $t
has a good gage protection# ()) $t can "e !sed %idely, more s!ita"le for drilling in the strat!m %ith
formation K . ()i) $t has a lo% cost#
P?9 c!tters are man*made diamond materials that consist of a layer of micron si,ed diamond grit
sintered together : "onded to t!ngsten car"ide st!ds# &he thicness of the polycrystalline diamond layer
is only 2#202 to 2#232 inches (2#/' to '#/0 mm)# P?9 "its are !sed to efficiently core formations ranging
from )ery soft to medi!m hard# &he "its are designed to c!t "y shearing res!lting in a rapid +5P# &hey
are s!scepti"le to impact damage for its c!tterLs geometry# &herefore, they are not recommended for )ery
hard, highly fract!red, or cherty formations#
<craped P?9 Bits Great P?9 Bit Pdc ?rilling Bits 3 "lades P?9 drill "it
<teel Body P?9 Bits '0*'61 Ce% P?9 Bits6AP$ B*'60 P?9 core drill "its
P?9 Matri- ?rill Bits for Petrole!m $nd!stry Matri- "ody P?9 "it
P?9 c!tters are e-tremely sensiti)e to pyrite in the formation and metal 8!n s!ch as de"ris that may
come to lift the m!d in the ann!l!s is less# &he p!mps !s!ally respond to this loss in "ac*press!re %ith
an increase in speed seen as increased stroes per min!tes (<PM)# P?9 "its do not cr!sh : fract!re the
roc# &hese are design to scratch : scoope the formation# &herefore, these are r!n !s!ally %ith less
%eight and higher +PM ("eca!se, the W5B is relati)ely less)#
C& T%ermally Stable Diamond +TS") its: &he main feat!res of sintered or &<P "its are; (i) ?o!"le*
cone cro%n profile (ii) triang!lar shaped &<P c!tters, nat!ral diamonds set on core and gage (iii)
applica"le to drilling medi!m*hard and dense formations (i)) s!ita"le for rotary and do%nhole motor
applications# 9ommonly !sed si,e; /*.6BJ ('14#0 mm) thr! to B*'60J (0'/#4 mm) diameter#
&<P prod!ct is similar to P?9 in that it is also a man*made diamond material# &he main difference in the
&<P material is that it has a higher range of thermal sta"ility d!e to the leaching of the metal catalyst !sed
in the sintering process of man!fact!re# &hese c!tters are s!ita"le for formations generally considered too
hard :6or a"rasi)e for P?9 c!tters# &hey are not recommended for soft formations#
&<P 9!"e Bits
?iameter Bit information +ecommended operation parameters
mm inch &>A
MM0
Gage
inch
AP$95CC,
inch
>lo% rate
(l6s)
+otation speed
(rpm)
Weight on "it (MC)
'14#0 /*.6B 0/2*122 0 (*'60 '2*'3 B2*/22 0/*B2
'/0#1 3 0/2*122 0 (*'60 '2*'3 B2*/22 0/*B2
022#2 .*.6B 102*332 0*'60 1*'60 02*(2 B2*/22 12*'02
0'/#4 B*'60 102*332 ( 1*'60 0/*(0 B2*/22 1/*'(2
!ow does core sampling complete,
A %ay of meas!ring %ell conditions do%nhole "y st!dying samples of reser)oir rocs, core analysis
gi)es the most acc!rate insight into the porosity : permea"ility, among other characteristics, of the
%ell#
$n order to complete a core sample, drilling m!st "e halted at the top of the s!"s!rface of the
reser)oir# &he drill*string is remo)ed from the %ell"ore, the drill*"it remo)ed and a rotary coring
"it is attached in its place# <imilar to a drill"it, the rotary coring "it consists of solid metal %ith
diamonds or t!ngsten for c!tting at the reser)oir rocA "!t !nlie a drill"it, a rotary coring "it has a
hollo% center#
5n a rotary coring "it, the c!tting apparat!s s!rro!nds a hollo% center, called the core "arrel, %here
the core sample is stored# &his core "arrel is made !p of an inner and o!ter "arrel separated "y "all
"earings, %hich allo% the inner "arrel to remain stationary and retain the core sample %hile the
o!ter "arrel is rotated "y the drillstring and c!ts the core#
&he core catcher is located %ithin the core "arrel# &he core catcher has finger*lie apparat!ses that
mo)e the core sample farther into the "arrel and eep it from falling "ac into the %ell#
After the core sample has "een c!t from the %ell, the drillstring is raised, and the rotary coring "it,
"arrel and catcher are remo)ed * and the core sample is retrie)ed# &he drill"it is reattached, and
drilling can commence again#
When performing coring operations, instead of ha)ing the pieces of "roen roc remo)ed from the
%ell )ia drilling fl!ids, the roc is ept intact and raised to the s!rface for st!dy# Beca!se coring
re=!ires the s!spension of drilling, the process is =!ite e-pensi)e and !s!ally only performed at the
reser)oir inter)al#
Diamond Coring
Description;
&he corer consists of a corer head, a PN9 sampling t!"e, a stainless %ire rope attached to the corer head,
a stainless piston %ire rope, a %eight ('2*02 g) %ith static ropes for lo%ering and lifting, a piston (three
pieces %ith a central "olt and t%o sealing rings), %ire clamps, a core catcher and a 8ac (>ig#)# &he length
of the static ropes for the %eight, the length of the piston %ire rope, and the %ire rope attached to the
corer head are determined "y the %ater depth#

Operation:
When the piston corer is !sed from ice, a hole (%ith diameter (*/ cm larger than that of the corer head)
has to "e drilled# 9ores !p to (*1 m length can normally "e lo%ered : raised )ertically thro!gh the hole
in the ice# &o retrie)e long (O(*1 m) and hea)y cores, ho%e)er, it is commonly necessary to c!t an o"long
trench in the ice "y means of a chain sa% and6or an ice a!ger# 7o%e)er, step ladder placed "y the hole
allo%s one person to clim" s!fficiently high to g!ide the top of the corer#
7oles on the PN9 core "arrel for the corer head and core catcher are made "y a hand6po%er drill thro!gh
premade holes on a 8ig#
&he piston %ire rope : the main %ire rope are fed thro!gh the steel pipe : the corer head from a"o)e
and attached# ?ish*%ashing li=!id or )ac!!m grease is p!t on the piston corer to red!ce friction "et%een
the piston corer : the PN9 sampling t!"e# &he piston : piston %ire are fed into the PN9 sampling t!"e
"y means of a plastic rod !ntil the piston gets in a position close to the core catcher#
&he main %ire rope is attached to the corer head "efore the PN9 sampling t!"e is fastened to the head#
>or e-tra sec!rity, t%o hose clamps may "e fastened 8!st a"o)e : "elo% the scre%s at the corer head#
&he PN9 sampling t!"e has then to "e filled %ith %ater thro!gh the o!tflo% hole at the corer head in
order to pre)ent the piston corer from sliding !p%ards in the sampling t!"e d!ring lo%ering of the
sampler into the %ater# &he %ater depth at the coring site m!st "e meas!red precisely "y a meas!ring tape
and the depth transformed to the main %ire rope to ens!re to get the soft top sediments# An alternati)e
%ay to meas!re the %ater depth is to attach a light plate to the piston corer ("efore the piston is placed on
the %ire) and send it do%n to rest lightly on the sediment s!rface to pre)ent any significant dist!r"ance#
An electrical tape is p!t on the %ire rope at the ice s!rface as an e-act meas!re of %ater depth# B!t "y far
the "est %ay to control the coring operation is to !se echo*so!nding e=!ipment for e-act meas!ring :
monitoring of the process#
&he sampler is lo%ered "y hand do%n to the sediment s!rface "y holding the main %ire rope attached to
the corer head (note; not the piston %ire)# When the lo%er end of the PN9 sampling t!"e is on, or 8!st
a"o)e, the sediment s!rface (to get the sediment6%ater interface), the piston %ire is attached %ith a %ire
clamp onto a "olt6cara"iner at the 8ac lifting arm, pre)enting the piston form entering the sediments#
&%o long static ropes are attached to the %eight# When coring in deep %ater ('22*'/2 m) %ires and ropes
tend to t%ist together# &he t%o static ropes may therefore "e replaced %ith one#
&he o"long slit piece on the %eight is remo)ed "efore attaching the %eight onto "oth %ire ropes thro!gh
the o"long slit on the %eight# &hen the slit piece is attached to the %eight and the %eight can "e lo%ered
to the corer head# Before coring "egins, the length of the PN9 sampling t!"e is mared "y electrical tape
on the main %ire rope attached to the corer head to see %here to stop penetration into the sediments# By
man!ally raising (commonly not more ten '#/ m) and dropping the %eight %ith the t%o static ropes
(alternati)ely on static rope) thro!gh p!lleys on each side of the 8ac, the PN9 sampling t!"e is dri)en
into the sediments# Beca!se the closely fitting piston and the sediment s!rface d!ring penetration, the
sediments are s!ced e)enly and !ndist!r"ed into the sampling t!"e# When not !sing a piston, the friction
of the sediment inside the core t!"e normally pre)ents more than a fe% decimetres of sediments from
entering the sampling t!"e#
When PN9 sampling t!"e has penetrated the sediments, or the %eight starts "o!ncing %hen reaching
impenetra"le sediments ("edroc, stone, diamicton etc#), the %eight is p!lled !p along the %ire ropes to
the s!rface and laid on ice6raft# &hen, "oth %ires are attached to the %ire clamps on the lifting arm of the
8ac to p!ll the corer o!t of the sediments# When the sampling t!"e is o!t of the sediments, the sampler
can normally "e p!lled thro!gh the %ater col!mn "y hand# Before p!lling o!t long cores (O(*1 m)
containing mostly minerogenic material, the o"long fiss!re in the ice allo%s grad!al lo%ering of the top
of the sampler# +opes fastened to the corer head and aro!nd the sampling t!"e aid in retrie)al#
When coring from a raft, anchoring is necessary to hold station %hile the coring operation is carried o!t#
5n a raft the sampler : core t!"e can "e fastened !nderneath "efore going to the lae shore# &hereafter,
the sediment catcher : the corer head are remo)ed "efore the sampling t!"e is cored and la"elled#
9ores m!st "e transported caref!lly and stored !nfro,en in order to pre)ent the sediments form "eing
t!r"ated#
&he main ad)antages of the corer are; '# Hight*%eight (a"o!t '22 g), easily transporta"le on a sno%*
mo"ile sled 0# Easily handled "y ( (three) persons (# &he sampler can core !p to 3 m of sediments in
%ater depths to at least 32 m# 1# Hittle of no dist!r"ance of the sampled sediments# /# 5pera"le "oth from
ice : rafts#
&he main disad)antages are; '# <ome pro"lems %ith transport 3 m PN9 t!"es# 0# 5nly one sample can "e
o"tained from the same hole# (# &he length of the core is commonly limited "y the length of the PN9
sampling t!"e (!s!ally s!pplied in lengths of 3 m)# $f necessary, t%o lengths of core t!"e co!ld "e fitted
together %ith an e-ternal collar# &he limitations %ith s!ch long cores are (i) the diffic!lty in handling a
long t!"e, (ii) the stiffness of sediments enco!ntered at greater depths and the friction of the sediments on
"oth the o!tside : inside of the core t!"e, and (iii) )i"ration as the t!"e is str!c "y the %eight and m!ch
of the energy is lost as the t!"e %o""les from side to side#
Fig: *dvanced Diamond Core arrel
(Schematic of the ADCB showing the bit, outer core barrel & inner core barrel. The ADCB is an adaptation of a mining style "!" coring assembly."
&echni=!es of ?iamond 9ore ?rilling
&he process of ?iamond core drilling is of a lo% noise, free from d!st : non*perc!ssi)e drilling
techni=!e is !sed to mae the smooth holes# &he techni=!es of ?iamond core drilling is needed %hen %e
re=!ire an e-act circ!lar penetration# Fsing this techni=!e yo! can craft holes of any si,e : deepness#
&he main category of this techni=!e is +otary : Wire*line# +otary techni=!e is !sed for "orehole as %ell
as for coring in rocs# Wire*line is !sed for mineral e-ploration moreo)er it intends for not to mae a
hole "!t to sal)age a core sample#
Diamond core drilling
?iamond core drilling (e-ploration diamond drilling) !tili,es an ann!lar diamond*impregnated drill "it
attached to the end of hollo% drill rods to c!t a cylindrical core of solid roc# &he diamonds !sed are fine
to microfine ind!strial grade diamonds# &hey are set %ithin a matri- of )arying hardness, from "rass to
high*grade steel# Matri- hardness, diamond si,e and dosing can "e )aried according to the roc %hich
m!st "e c!t# 7oles %ithin the "it allo% %ater to "e deli)ered to the c!tting face# &his pro)ides three
essential f!nctions * l!"rication, cooling : remo)al of drill c!ttings from the hole#
?iamond drilling is m!ch slo%er than re)erse circ!lation (+9) drilling d!e to the hardness of the gro!nd
"eing drilled# ?rilling of '022 to 'B22 metres is common and at these depths, gro!nd is mainly hard roc#
?iamond rigs need to drill slo%ly to lengthen the life of drill "its : rods, %hich are )ery e-pensi)e#
9ore samples are retrie)ed )ia the !se of a core t!"e, a hollo% t!"e placed inside the rod string and
p!mped %ith %ater !ntil it locs into the core "arrel# As the core is drilled, the core "arrel slides o)er the
core as it is c!t# An Jo)ershotJ attached to the end of the %inch ca"le is lo%ered inside the rod string and
locs on to the "acend (aa head assem"ly), located on the top end of the core "arrel# &he %inch is
retracted, p!lling the core t!"e to the s!rface# &he core does not drop o!t of the inside of the core t!"e
%hen lifted "eca!se either a split ring core lifter or "aset retainer allo%s the core to mo)e into, "!t not
"ac o!t of the t!"e#
?iamond core drill "its
5nce the core t!"e is remo)ed from the hole, the core sample is then remo)ed from the core t!"e and
catalog!ed# &he ?rillerPs assistant !nscre%s the "acend off the core t!"e !sing t!"e %renches, then each
part of the t!"e is taen and the core is shaen o!t into core trays# &he core is %ashed, meas!red :
"roen into smaller pieces !sing a hammer or sa%n thro!gh to mae it fit into the sample trays# 5nce
catalog!ed, the core trays are retrie)ed "y geologists %ho then analyse the core and determine if the drill
site is a good location to e-pand f!t!re mining operations#
?iamond rigs can also "e part of a m!lti*com"ination rig# M!lti*com"ination rigs are a d!al set!p rig
capa"le of operating in either a +9 : diamond drilling role (tho!gh not at the same time)# &his is a
common scenario %here e-ploration drilling is "eing performed in a )ery isolated location# &he rig is first
set !p to drill as an +9 rig and once the desired metres are drilled, the rig is set !p for diamond drilling#
&his %ay the deeper metres of the hole can "e drilled %itho!t mo)ing the rig and %aiting for a diamond
rig to set !p on the pad#
Field Sampling-Core Sampling and "reservation: A) +emo)al of core from core "arrel B) >re=!ency
of sampling 9) Preser)ation of core ?) 9ore handling in la"oratory#
A) +emo)al of the core from a standard inner core "arrel; &he core sho!ld "e remo)es from the "arrel in
as small segments in this proced!re for con)entional analysis# &he e-tra care sho!ld "e taen to
pre)ent e-cessi)e "reaing !p of the core# 7ammering : 8arring on the core "arrel is often
necessary# Each piece is %iped clean %ith dry rags (not %ashed) as soon as it is remo)ed from
the "arrel, laid o!t on the pipe rac and mared as to top : "ottom# After the entire core is
remo)ed from the "arrel, the core is meas!red %ith a tape and mared off into feet or meters#
Any lost core is logged at the "ottom of the cored inter)al# $f more cores are meas!red than
s!pposedly is c!t, the operator resol)es the discrepancy#
B) >re=!ency of sampling; $n con)entional analysis, one sample per foot or meter is ordinarily taen#
>ormation %hich o")io!sly non*prod!cti)e (e#g#, solid shale) is not sampled# $f the section to "e analy,ed
is heterogeneo!s, samples may "e taen closer than one per foot or meter# &aing fe%er samples than one
per foot or meter is not recommended# <!fficient samples sho!ld al%ays "e taen to definitely define net
prod!cti)e thicness, transitional ,ones : contacts# <amples ( to 1 inches (or .#/ cms to '2 cms) in
length are !s!ally taen#
9) 9ore preser)ation; <amples for con)entional analysis are preser)ed "y the follo%ing proced!res (i)
>ree,ing or chilling %ith dry ice * $f the core samples selected for analysis are to "e analy,ed for fl!id
content, it is necessary that the samples "e preser)ed for transportation to "e la"oratory to pre)ent the
e)aporation of the li=!ids# &his is normally done "y free,ing %ith dry ice (core is in 950 atmosphere as
ice s!"limes)# (ii) Plastic "ags * this method is recommended for short*term storage, 0*( days only to
%rap the samples tightly in plastic "ags so as to e-cl!de air# 9are m!st "e taen to pre)ent p!nct!ring the
"ag or e-pos!re to e-tremes of temperat!re# (iii) >oil coated %ith %a- * &his method is sometimes !sed
for con)entional samples to %rap them tightly %ith saran : al!min!m foil and coat them %ith paraffin6
%a- or strippa"le plastic# (i)) +!""er slee)e * 9ores may "e preser)ed "y capping : taping slee)e ends#
<ample preser)ation * <amples m!st "e thoro!ghly e-tracted of oil : "rine and then properly dried
(e-cept s!mmation of fl!id porosity proced!re)# E-tractors (gas dri)en sol)ent, so-hlet : ?ean star
refl!-ing sol)ent) are commonly !sed to remo)e "oth oil : "rine# ?rying the samples after e-traction is
)ery important and %hen hydrata"le minerals are present in the sample that "rea do%n at lo%
temperat!res, the drying proced!re is critical in that the interstitial %ater m!st "e remo)ed %ith no
mineral alteration (7!midity*controlled o)ens are !sed %hen drying clay "earing samples to maintain the
proper state of hydration)#
?) 9ore handling in la"oratory; Appropriate core handling proced!res are essential to define depth
allocation, maintain core integrity : preser)e core properties# 9on)entional core sta"ili,ation :
preser)ation techni=!es !sed incl!de epo-y, free,ing, foam, strippa"le plastic : Protec9ore are
performed "y an efficient core handling apparat!s, resin : foam dispensing systems# After the samples
arri)e in the la"oratory, they are placed in order of depth and sample n!m"er# $f fro,en, they are allo%ed
to tha% !ntil they can "e handled# &hey are %iped clean (a damp cloth) again and an FN e-amination and
a )is!al (microscopic) description are made recorded# A detailed notation of fract!res and )!gs is also
made at this time# 9ore description sho!ld meet the follo%ing re=!irements* (i) to "e dealt %ith "y a
silled specialist*geologist %ho is familiar %ith lithology (ii) to "e done in strict order# &he same
s!ccession is to "e ept to in all instances to follo% (iii) to "e carried o!t in interr!ptedly, &hat is to say,
d!ring core reco)ery all '22G of core is to "e descri"ed (from "ottom !p%ards or from top do%n%ards)#
&he follo%ing order in core description and registration are ad)isa"le; (a) name of the roc (")
gran!larity Jfine*grained, medi!m*grained or large*grainedJ (c) color (d) type of "edding, thicness :
orientation of inter layers (e) fract!ring (f) presence or a"sence of "it!men components, diameter, amo!nt
: color#