SAMPLE CATCHING AND PROCESSING

SAMPLE BAGS
-sample bags and vials are labeled with
1) location and event number (possibly licence number)
2) well operator and field name
3) depth
-print labels with indelible ink and if possible, especially for invert wells, a
perforating printer
-dry government fractions as soon as possible to prevent oxidation of ferric
compounds and tie sample bags into 10 bag bundles
RIG DOGHOUSE
-post a notice in the doghouse informing driller in writing
-of basic sample washing requirements
-listing anticipated bottoms up times for the well (times can be altered to
adapt to changing hole conditions as drilling proceeds)
-an estimate of sample lag:
1)dividing the depth by 33 gives a rough starting sample lag
2)using formulas to calculate bottoms up times using pump
strokes/pipe and hole diameter etc
3)refine estimate with gas detector as coal or reservoir gas shows
are drilled
4)consult with the drilling foreman as they often have a good
estimate of annular velocities.
SAMPLE PROCESSING AT RIG
-place a pail in front of shaker positioned to fill with a representative sample
from the entire sample interval
-during slow drilling with very little sample dribbling over the shaker the pail
should be moved to catch as much sample as possible
-when a lot of solids are coming over the shaker and threatening to overfill the
bucket, it should be moved to catch as little sample as possible
-sample is transferred to a pail with 5mm holes drilled into the bottom and
washed into a fine meshed sieve (80) or casing protector lined with fine 222
shaker screen
-oversized cuttings left in the pail, being predominantly cavings, are discarded
-the sample is washed with a 1 rig hose or if drilled with invert mud washed
with clean diesel or kerosene.

PROCESSING SAMPLE BY GEOLOGIST

Drilling mud systems, especially diesel or crude oil based contain a mixture of
potentially harmfull chemicals and should be handled with good ventilation,
nitrile gloves, a dust or preferably a carbon filter mask, eye protection and a
rubberized apron.
Mechanical wash systems provide good sample quality and homogeneity.
WATER BASED MUD SYSTEM
-sieve the sample into a small light fry pan and swish water over until clean.
-an air drying procedure using a vacuum cleaner suction system with the sample
in a fine sieve is least damaging to the colour and hydrocarbon show potential.
-as a poor alternative dry the washed sample in an aluminum tart pan gently on
a stove or under heat lamps (heat above 39C damages hydrocarbon shows)
-clean only as much sample as will be required for describing samples and filling
vials in order to speed drying.
-refrain from agitating drying samples, leaving a dust coating on wet cuttings.
-sample can be sieved through a colander with 10 or more 3mm holes in its
screen in order to further separate drilled cuttings from cavings. This is best
done after the whole sample, brought from rig, has been washed, dried and all
fractions inspected for usefulness.
INVERT MUD SYSTEMS
-invert mud systems require soap and degreasers to clean diesel and crude oil
from the sample
-on the rig as a final step, have sample rinsed with clean diesel or kerosene.
-the prewashed sample is processed either by:
1) processing in a mechanical washer with washing, rinsing and drying
stations built into the system
2) shaking in a jar with detergent or degreaser
3) processing in a blender with detergent and warm water
-aggressive mechanical agitation is an important component in all three systems
in order to remove polymer and rock flour from unbalanced or old invert systems
-presoak in degreaser or detergent for 5min helps to remove much of the diesel
-some geologists use only solvents such as varsol for cleaning invert samples as
any exposure of an invert drilled sample to water during the processing destroys
the colour and integrity of many shales and clay constituents of reservoir rocks
-this procedure should be conducted outside or with good ventilation
using the precautions listed above
-in a fine 80-mesh sieve sample is rinsed in a bucket of varsol to remove
the fines, transfer cuttings to a small frying pan and swish clean varsol
from a second bucket over the sample until it is clean
-transport and store bags with invert samples in sealed 5gal/20 litre plastic pails