Coring services

The SOS team have utilised their extensive coring and preservation knowledge to develop the systems and processes that are used on site and in the office for planning and execution. Our collective knowledge has been instrumental in their development and implementation.

Close-up of a PDC core head on a core barrel, SOS sign behind

Conventional coring

SOS provides a full conventional coring service to operators and drilling contractors, onshore and offshore.

We utilise Baker Hughes coring systems, and we work closely with Baker Hughes on equipment, core heads designs and specialised tools tailored for each project. Our engineers apply the same inspection, maintenance and operating standards, and our barrels go through the Baker Hughes workshop for make-up, break-out and inspection — including stabiliser torque-up — before mobilising to the rig site.

This provides:

  • Proven coring equipment and fit-for-purpose core recovery systems for every formation type, from unconsolidated and fractured to hard rock
  • Core heads designed for the application — premium PDC cutters engineered to minimise BHA vibration, resist abrasion and impact, improve cuttings removal and reduce filtrate invasion of the core
  • Non-rotating inner tube stabilisation to prevent inner barrel rotation and torque damage, and to allow longer inner barrels to be run with confidence
  • Experienced rig-site coring engineers, Australian and international, with locally based support
  • Detailed coring program writing, planning and review, after-action reviews and end-of-well reports
Engineer watching SureCore data on a laptop set up on deck beside the core barrels
Preparing the SureCore for a core run
  • Coring engineer watching SureCore data on a laptop beside the BOP control panel at the rig floor
    Monitoring SureCore at the rig floor
  • Two SOS coring engineers at an onshore rig site, the derrick behind them
    Andy and Damian on site

SureCore™ real-time core monitoring

SureCore is SOS's own technology, developed in Perth and taken from R&D to commercial runs. It is an MWD-based real-time core monitoring system that sits inside the core barrel and tells the coring engineer, as it happens, whether the core is coring, jammed, milling or washing. It can be run in conjunction with SOS coring equipment or as a stand-alone, with all other coring service providers' tools.

This provides:

  • Real-time measurement while coring (MWC)
  • Immediate identification of core milling or washing
  • Immediate core jam notification
  • Confirmation core is being captured and not jammed
  • Understanding what is happening to the inner barrel and core in real-time — vibration, rotation, temperature
  • Vastly improved core recovery, quality and data
  • Certainty in respect of core-to-reservoir correlation
  • Reduced risk on longer core runs and connections, and of pulling out of hole prematurely
  • Substantial cost savings

More on SureCore

Engineer reviewing a core log in the SOS workshop
Coring Optimisation by SOS

Coring optimisation (QA/QC)

This is where SOS started, and it remains a core service. Coring optimisation is independent coring expertise working for the operator: another set of experienced eyes across the planning, the equipment and the execution. We have taken this experience and approach to prepare our own equipment for each coring operation.

The service can cover as much or as little as requested:

  • Writing or advising on the coring sections of tenders, and evaluating technical and commercial responses
  • Auditing coring service providers' facilities, procedures and tool build sheets
  • Pre-job QA/QC of the load-out package — witnessing connection torque-up, gauging stabilisers, checking gamma loggers, saws, preservation equipment and everything else functions before it leaves the yard
  • Reviewing coring parameters, offset data, core head selection and the service provider's coring program
  • Wellsite oversight of the coring operation, or remote monitoring from town using the operator's real-time system
  • Tool failure investigations and after-action reviews, with recommendations for procedural change
Two band saws cutting core on the processing tables at a rig site, the derrick behind
Dual band saw operations, cutting core
  • Inner barrels lifted onto the processing tables on a spreader beam at night
    Lifting inner barrels with the spreader beam
  • Engineer running a gamma logger along core barrels on the tables, the rig behind
    Gamma logging core at the wellsite

Wellsite core processing and preservation

Handling the core at the wellsite is as critical as cutting it. A core damaged by poor handling or preserving becomes useless for evaluation.

SOS has designed its own core processing system that is unique. Our team collaborated and designed the system to best suit the operations required. By understanding core processing and what the industry has been lacking, we designed a system that improves HSE and ergonomics for all personnel involved, and reduces the risk of damaging core by providing a safer work environment.

Our wellsite engineers have extensive experience in surface handling and processing of core for immediate evaluation or shipment for off-site analysis.