 Core Lab data
describing the reservoir system are used by oil
company engineers, geologists and geophysicists to
enhance hydrocarbon production so that it will
exceed the 40% average oilfield recovery factor.
Two production-enhancement methods commonly used
are (1) hydraulic fracturing of the reservoir rock
to improve flow and (2) flooding the field with
water, carbon dioxide, or hydrocarbon gases to
force more oil and gas to the wellbore. Core
Laboratories' technologies play a key role in the
success of both methods.
 The hydraulic fracturing of a producing
formation is achieved by pumping a proppant
material in a gel slurry into the reservoir zone
at extremely high pressures. This forces fractures
to open in the rock and "props" the fractures open
so that reservoir fluids can flow to the
production wellbore.
Core Lab data on rock type and strength are
critical for determining the proper design of the
frac job. In addition, Core's testing indicates
whether the gel slurry is compatible with the
reservoir fluids so that damage does not occur to
the porous rock network. And Core's proprietary
ZeroWash™ tracer technology is used to determine
if the proppant material was properly placed in
the fracture to ensure effective flow and
increased recovery.
Many oilfields today are hydraulically
fractured and flooded to maximize hydrocarbon
recovery. Core conducts dynamic flow tests of the
reservoir fluids through the reservoir rock, at
actual reservoir pressure and temperature, to
realistically simulate the actual flooding of a
producing zone.
 Core uses patented technologies, such as
our Saturation Monitoring by the Attenuation of
X-rays (SMAX™), to help design the enhanced
recovery project. After the field flood is
initiated, Core Laboratories is often involved in
monitoring the progress of the flood to ensure the
maximum numbers of incremental barrels are
produced.
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