Field testing of Intelligent Coring System (ICS) and IDD Module

Core drilling has been a central part of petroleum exploration drilling for many decades. The extraction of rock core samples from subsurface formations provide essential information about the reservoir potential and rock properties, vital for analyzing the reservoir and planning field developments and drainage strategies. However, despite the wealth of operational experience gathered over time, some significant challenges still linger: A considerable time lag between drilling of the geological formations and the downhole logging of formation properties; time-consuming round trips to change between core drilling and conventional drilling equipment; and lack of control over downhole operational dynamics. CoreAll's Intelligent Coring System addresses these shortcomings. The Intelligent Coring System (ICS) is a fully instrumented core drilling assembly, complete with sensors and real-time transmission of data to surface. The current development track comprises the following, patented technologies: Logging While Coring (LWC): Real-time formation and fluid data while coring, allowing optimization of core intervals. The current version provides real time gamma ray, resistivity, and downhole diagnostics such as downhole vibration and core jamming indicators. Internal Drilling Device (IDD): Provides the option to switch between coring and drilling. In combination with LWC data, this enables the operator to selectively core only those intervals that are of interest, reducing the requirement for round trips to change the downhole equipment. The prototype assembly collects 3" core in 8 3/8" to 9 1/2" hole sizes and features wired core barrels and a mud pulse telemetry unit or wired pipe modem for communication to surface. With all elements of the Intelligent Coring System in place, oil companies utilizing the system will have significant potential for time and cost savings in exploration drilling, as well as for improving the quality of essential reservoir data.

The technology will have following outcomes for operator companies: - Eliminating a roundtrip when core sampling has been completed - Eliminating a roundtrip before core sampling is initiated - Reducing the requirement to trip because the core barrels fill up with non-reservoir material Cost savings for operator companies will be approx. USD 1-2 mill per well, with the equivalent value contribution for oil companies representing USD 250-600 mill per year for the total market. Our solution will have positive environmental impact as a consequence of reducing drill time per well. The technology will also give more precise reservoir descriptions, resulting in optimum field development and possibly fewer exploration wells, thus generating lower emissions per produced unit of oil/gas. Furthermore, the project results will contribute to UN Sustainable Development goals no. 8 and 9. This effect will be most predominant in areas such as Brazil, West-Africa, India, Indonesia, Russia and Norway.

CoreAll addresses the shortcomings of conventional core extracting methods and technologies by developing the world’s first fully instrumented bottom hole assembly with real-time data communication for extracting subsurface rock samples, the Intelligent Coring System (ICS). The main objective of this project is to conclude the development of the complete ICS, including an Internal Drilling Device (IDD), and test and qualify the technology for commercial use. The system will include the following central innovations: - Instrumentation of the tools with sensors, data processors and communication systems that will allow communication to the surface and allowing the operator to monitor the state of the coring system. - Measurement of the rock formation/ fluid in real time while coring. - Downhole cutting and grinding of unwanted core material so that the equipment can be used to complete the well section without having to pull out. This will lead to the following benefits for operators: - Eliminating a roundtrip when core sampling has been completed; - Eliminating a roundtrip before core sampling is initiated, and; - Reducing the requirement to trip because the core barrels fill up with non-reservoir material. - Potential Savings of 10 million NOK in drilling costs per exploration well. The major challenges in this project are in the construction of a system that will have the required functionality without increasing risk in the coring operation. The technical complexity of designing a new system for drilling operations is substantial, but manageable. Concerning market risk, oil companies have been involved in this project from the earliest stages to ensure that client requirements are met. In this project we will conclude the development of the ICS and IDD and conduct field tests in operational wells under real operating condition in collaboration with Saudi Aramco and MOL.