• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
• Thin Section Petrography
• Sedimentology And Depositional Environment Studies
• Detailed Reservoir Mapping And Depositional Modeling
• Routine Core Analysis
  • Porosity
  • Permeability
  • Grain Density
  • Fluid Saturation
• Wellsite Services

At Stim-Lab, we know how to make them crack.

The rocks have a story to tell. In fact, if you ask the right questions, they'll reveal some very important information about a potential reservoir:

1. The depositional environment in which the reservoir rocks originated.
2. The diagenetic history of the reservoir.
3. The quality (production potential) of the reservoir rocks resulting from the depositional and diagenetic history.
4. The correlation lithologic characteristics to log properties.
5. The fluid sensitivities of the reservoir rocks to completion chemicals.
6. How to maximize production and minimize formation damage using the proper exploitation procedures.

Stim-Lab's Reservoir Analysis Group knows how to get the answers to your questions. Our experienced professionals examine the evidence with an attention to detail, and the use of the highest quality analytical instrumentation available.

And whether your samples include cores, sidewall cores, or drill cuttings, we can perform the same exacting battery of tests:

• Detailed Macroscopic Description
• Binocular Microscopy And Photography
• Thin Section Petrography
• Scanning Electron Microscopy With EDS
• X-Ray Diffraction

The product is a report with photo documentation - a comprehensive presentation of scientific investigation and interpretation on the reservoir of interest - designed to help the geologist and engineer evaluate, develop and exploit that reservoir in the most efficient, successful way possible.

Integrated Services for Reservoir Description and Exploitation

• Core Flow Studies
• Coal Technology
• Completion Engineering
• Acidizing Research Consortium
• Rheology Research Consortium
• Conductivity Research Consortium
• Area Studies
• Sedimentology
• X-Ray Diffraction
• Thin Section Petrography
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Log interpretation and Petrophysics

Core Flow and Saturation Characteristics

Porosity Measurements

• Ambient And Insitu Helium Porosity
• Grain Density
• Pore Volume Compressibility

Permeability Measurements

• Insitu Klinkenberg Gas Permeability
• Low Permeability Analysis
• Liquid Permeability To 0.00001 md

Electrical Resistivity Measurements

• Cementation Exponent
• Saturation Exponent
• Wet Chemistry C.E.C.

Relative Permeability Measurements

• Single And Multipoint Effective Ability To Gas Under Confining
• Stress At Partial Water Saturation
• Unsteady State Method
• Water Flood Susceptibility

Capillary Pressure Measurements

• Air-Brine Capillary Pressure
• Single Point "Irreducible" Saturation
• Air-Mercury To 10,000 PSI With Pore Size Distribution

Area Studies

Studies of reservoirs in a field, area or basin are also available. We will undertake a study at the request of an individual client or a group of clients. Any and all aspects of our expertise may be required in a property evaluation or area study including:

• Base Map Preparation
• Data Management
• Posting, Annotating And Editing Well Spots
• Mapping And Contouring
• Gross-Section Construction
• Log Interpretation
• Petrography
• Sedimentology
• Completion Engineering

Sedimentology and Depositional Environments

Conventional cores provide the sedimentologists at Stim-Lab the opportunity to determine the origin of a sedimentary deposit and the recognition of genetic units in the vertical and lateral sequence. Our sedimentologists delineate the physical, biological and chemical processes that occurred to generate the sedimentary products. Understanding these depositional and diagenetic processes is achieved by detailed core description.

The following characteristics of cores are described:

• Primary (Depositional) Composition
• Secondary (Diagenetic) Cement Composition
• Grain Texture (Size And Sorting)
• Rock Texture (Fabric, Packing And Orientation)
• Primary And Biogenetic Sedimentary Structures
• Secondary Deformational Sedimentary Structures

Our professionals provide a core sketch with notes describing facies characteristics and origin and a log montage showing the relation of lithofacies to log signatures for all cores described.

Knowledge of the processes responsible for the described features in cores can be used to construct a predictive sedimentary model for the sequence of interest. High quality photographic documentation of the cores described can be provided. Video recording of the features described in the core accompanied by a verbal discussion of those features is available upon request.

X-Ray Diffraction

Stim-Lab's professionals perform analysis of bulk rock, clay and swelling clay components using x-ray diffraction analysis.

High quality XRD results are obtained by the use of rigorous sample and standard preparation techniques. Quality results are enhanced further by the use of an automated x-ray diffractometer and advanced computer software.

X-ray diffraction work is especially important for complete clay characterization that cannot be performed using thin section petrography or scanning electron microscopy alone.

Thin Section Petrography

An understanding of the mineralogical and textural characteristics is critical for proper formation evaluation.

At Stim-Lab, thin section petrographic analysis is directed toward identification of porosity types, cement composition, grain size, sorting, and pore geometry and how these features relate to production potential, depositional environment, and diagenetic history. Photographic documentation is provided to illustrate the features described.

Quantitative thin section petrography can be performed using an automated point-counting device. Point-count data can be easily stored and retrieved for a wide range of uses from calculating component percentages to providing key data for statistical analysis of permeability trends and facies control.

Scanning Electron Microscopy

Stim-Lab routinely performs analysis of samples using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry.

SEM with EDS allows Stim-Lab's professionals to determine the following:

• Architecture of the Pore System
• Identity and Location of Clay Minerals
• Possible Compatibility Problems with Well Completion Chemicals
• Alteration of Mineral Surfaces

SEM with EDS provide a means of rapid evaluation of drill cuttings, sidewall cores and conventional core samples. Photographic documentation is provided.

Log Interpretation

Stim-Lab provides computer-aided interpretation of well logs on individual wells and in multi-well studies. Our professionals integrate all available data from core analysis, petrographic analysis and well test results for complete formation evaluation. Our analysts can receive data via modem, from service company tapes or by digitizing hard copies of logs.

Some log analysis problems include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Log Quality
• Hole Effects
• Lithology
• Porosity
• Saturation
• Low Resistivity Pay
• Dipmeter Interpretation
• Image Log Interpretation