RTC Lab’s success in unconventional reservoirs starts with accurate core analysis. While commercial labs use outdated methods to analyze core samples, we continue to develop and implement technologies that yield superior results.

Our core analysis provides more than a one-off report. It tells a story, giving you the big picture you need to make the right decisions.

Turnaround

  • We can analyze up to 1,000 feet of core per month

Accuracy

  • We deliver precise results in areas commercial labs don’t — low-perm reservoirs
  • Our innovative approach led to the RTC’s success and “Tier 1” land acquisitions in unconventional shale plays including the Haynesville, Marcellus, Utica and Eagle Ford shales
  • Our XRD mineralogy lab recently finished ninth out of 93 places in the 2022 Reynolds Cup which is a worldwide competition among commercial, research and university labs doing quantitative mineralogy.

Leading Edge

  • More than 73,000 feet of core analyzed to date
  • Measurements and data consistent with and validated through petrophysical and reservoir models

Advanced Technologies

Our team’s ongoing research focuses on:

  • Core analysis — further developing instrumentation and extending capabilities related to reservoir development
  • Rock mechanics — advancing fracture growth and geometry models with triaxial rock failure analysis and unconfined compressive strength measurements
  • Geochemistry — improving predictions for thermal maturity and expected liquids production

Core Analysis

  • Unconventional (tight rock/shale) and conventional core analyses (porosity, permeability and fluid saturations)
  • Liquid, steady state and unsteady state permeability
  • Special core analyses (MICP, electrical properties, fracture conductivity)
  • Proppant embedment
  • Micro-CT imaging
  • Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with Argon-ion polishing

Rock Mechanics

  • Static and dynamic elastic properties
  • Poromechanics (Biot’s parameter, compressibility)
  • Unconfined compressive strength
  • Failure envelope parameters

Read more about rock mechanics lab.

Geochemistry

  • X-ray (XRD) mineralogy and XRF elemental analysis
  • Total organic carbon and source rock pyrolysis
  • Gas chromatography, biomarkers and reservoir fluids characterization
  • Water chemistry by ICP/IC
  • Hydrous pyrolysis
  • Kerogen extraction and chemistry

Core and Cuttings Data

Core and Cuttings Data Map

For more information or to schedule a tour please contact:


info@RTCLab.chk.com