Core Barrel Running Procedure

1. General Guidelines:

1) Coring in 81/2" holes shall be carried out by using a conventional core barrel (6 3/4” x 4”) with an 81/2"
diamond or PDC core head. Core barrels can be run in multiples of 30ft sections.
2) The inner tube material (steel, aluminum, fiberglass, etc.) or liner (PVC, ABS, etc.) shall be chosen
according to the formation characteristics and bottom hole temperature. Check with office if need to run
inner barrel with check valve.
4) Ensure that the necessary fishing equipment is available before running the core barrel.
5) Check the inner tube's integrity and space-out prior to running in the hole.
6) The core barrel shall be stabilized on bottom and top with special stabilizers in order to reduce the
wear on the gauge of the bit with, consequently, crooked and under gauged holes. If an 81/2" core bit is
used, the stabilizer will have an 8 3/8" OD.
7) The core barrel shall be run on a stabilized BHA. The stabilization of the BHA shall be, when possible,
the same as used for drilling. Coring, especially in hard formations, requires full stabilization to allow
higher weight to be applied to the bit. Higher weight on an unstabilized core barrel can cause jamming,
spiraling and flattening of cores.
Note: Different configurations can be chosen by the Coring Engineer.
8) If a drilling jar is run in the string, the inside diameter of this tool must be compatible with the ball
diameter of the core barrel.
9) If the Drilling Supervisor deems it necessary (e.g. presence of iron junks in the well), a trip with a junk
basket (RCJB) shall be made. If the coring point is known, a junk basket can be run in the drilling
assembly used to reach the coring point depth.
10) Take and record the Reduced Pump Stroke Pressure (RPSP) with the core barrel in the hole, after
dropping the ball and with it in place.
11) Monitor mud properties and gas properties while coring.
12) If needed, Circulate bottoms up prior to POOH with core barrel.
13) POOH at a slow rate to bleed off any gas as per Coring Engineer.
14) Monitor trip tank closely for release of gas from core. Circulate if needed.

2. CORING PROCEDURES

2.1. Operating Instructions

Junk
On the last bit run prior to coring, ensure that the hole is free from junk, by running a junk sub in the
assembly. If any doubt exists as to cleanliness of the hole, it may be advisable to run a reverse circulation
basket or magnet, thus ensuring the complete removal of junk off bottom.
Tight hole
If it is known that hole problems (i.e. dog legs, tight spots, etc.) exist in the open hole, it is advised that the
hole be well circulated and a wiper trip be carried out before coring. Care must be taken to avoid sticking
of the core barrel in these problematic areas.
Drill collars
Sufficient collars should be run to keep the drill pipe in tension and have sufficient weight to place on the
bit.
Stabilization
It is important that adequate stabilization be run, keeping the core head steady on bottom, ultimately
assisting bit life and core recovery. This should be strictly adhered to, as the core barrel will be the
weakest point of the bottom hole assembly. If drill collar stabilizers are not run, premature failure of core
barrel thread connections may occur.
Circulation
The volume to be circulated will be determined by mud type, diameter and depth of hole, Pumps and
formation. Once an average circulation rate has been established, variations of weight and rotary can be
carried out. The flow can also be varied to achieve maximum cleaning and cooling of the core head.
Too low a flow rate can be detrimental as the cuttings will not be removed sufficiently quickly from the bit
face, resulting in regrinding of the cuttings, slowed penetration rate and possible burning of core head.
Too high a circulation rate will lift the bit off bottom resulting in diamond damage. There is also a
possibility that loss of core can occur due to washing the core as it enters bit throat.
Rotary speed
When starting to core, a slow rotary speed of 50-60 rpm should be applied. As the core enters the inner
barrel and weight is added, the rotary can be increased. When carrying out a drill off test, the optimum
rotary speed can be determined.

Weight on core head

The weight on the core head will be determined by the size of core head, size of core barrel and the
nature of formation to be cored. When coring has commenced the minimum starting weight should be
applied. Once core head has drilled a pattern and first stabilizer has entered the new hole, the weight can
be increased in small increments until optimum performance is achieved. Avoid exceeding the
recommended maximum weight. Once a satisfactory weight has been reached, it should be maintained
and not allowed to drill off.

Torque
Excessive or fluctuating torque should be avoided. Torque readings will change with varying formations or
excessive weight and rotary speed. If high or fluctuating torque exists, find the correct combination of
weight and rotary to achieve as smooth and as steady a torque reading as possible.

2.2. Preparing for Coring

1) Prior to pulling out of the hole for coring, make a short trip to the last casing shoe. Return to bottom,
circulate bottoms up and then pull out of the hole.
2) Ensure that there are no restrictions in the string to stop the passage of the pressure relief plug ball. If
any doubt exists, a drift of the drill string shall be carried out to ensure the correct passage of the ball.
3) In full hole coring, tripping into the hole shall be methodical. Caution should be exercised at all tight
places to prevent the core head from sticking. Tight places must be reamed out by rotating and using the
maximum circulating rate and minimum weight.
4) When the bottom is reached, make up Top Drive and wash down to bottom taking a note of the
pressure. When a large amount of fill is encountered, it is advisable to clean to the bottom by circulating
out the fill rather than coring it out. Use as little rotation as possible. Wash out slowly picking up
periodically. When the true bottom is reached a weight on bit gain accompanied by a pressure increase
should be noted.
5) Once it is fully established that the bottom has been successfully reached, pick up off bottom, Carry out
SCR and circulate bottoms up (Company man’s call) at 300 G.P.M.
6) If necessary, space out with pup joints in order to avoid (or minimize) pipe connection while coring.
7) Make up the Top Drive and pump the ball down at a good circulation rate (allow one minute per
1,000ft). When the ball reaches the pressure relief plug, a slight pressure increase should be observed.
Note the increase in pressure; Repeat slow pump rates, and record up, down and rotating weights, as per
GSPC procedures.
8) With the ball in place record the off bottom pressure at the same circulating rate that will be used
during coring.

2.3. Starting of the Coring Operation

1) Check the pump strokes ensuring that the correct circulation rate is being delivered to the core head.
2) Lower the core barrel on to bottom and apply a weight of 5,000 to 7,000lbs. Start rotating, bringing the
speed up slowly to 40-50 rpm.
3) When sure that core head has seated, (this should be apparent through pressure increase) maintain
the starting weight until approximately one foot has been cored.
4) After cutting the 1ft of core, the weight should then be increased in 2,000lbs increments. Increase the
rotary speed to approximately 60 rpm. Once 2 or 3ft has been cored, the weight and rotary speed can be
varied to achieve the maximum performance.
5) In general a rotary speed between 70 and 120 rpm is used to core most formations.
6) Slow rotary speeds are beneficial when coring fractured formations. Using speeds of 30 to 40 rpm
produces less disturbance of the core.
7) The pump pressure should now have increased and leveled out. Therefore the pump strokes should be
checked ensuring original flow rate is maintained. Take note of pressure and watch it constantly
throughout the coring. Pump pressure increases or decreases are an indication that something abnormal
is occurring and the cause should be determined and remedied. Make sure the flow rate has not changed
due to a variation in SPM, pump malfunction or wash out in the string.
 If the pump pressure increase and the torque decreases, this generally indicates a formation
change.
 If the pump pressure, penetration rate and torque decrease simultaneously, this indicates the
barrel has jammed.
 If the pump pressure and torque increases simultaneously, the core head has probably ringed
8) If situation is not corrected after a short time, the barrel should be pulled immediately to avoid
excessive damage to core head, core barrel or loss of the core.

2.5. Breaking Core (Making a Connection or Pulling Barrel)

When it becomes necessary to make a connection, or to pull a full core barrel, the following procedure
should be followed:
1) Stop the rotary table and shut off the pump. Mark the kelly.
2) Pick up the drill string until the weight indicator shows the core spring has gripped the core. Continue
picking up until core breaks or the recommended pull is reached. If the core does not break with the
maximum strain, then start the pump at normal coring flow rate and hold the pull on the core until it
breaks.
3) After the core has broken, raise the core head 10ft (3m) and then lower slowly back to within one foot
of the bottom checking the weight indicator to see if there is any obstruction caused by core left in the
hole.
4) If the core appears to be properly caught in the barrel, pick up and pull out of hole if coring is
completed or make a connection if coring should be continued.
5) When coring is resumed after a connection, run to bottom without rotary or circulation and add weight
approximately 50% higher than normal coring weight. This additional weight should release the core from
the core spring, permitting the passage of new core into the inner barrel.
6) Pick up the drill string until the normal coring weight is reached. Start the pump at the normal rate.
Bring the rotary speed up slowly to normal rotation and continue to core.
7) Make sure the pump pressures are normal when coring is recommenced.

2.6. Recovery of the Core

When the core barrel is full or it becomes necessary to pull out of the hole, the following procedure should
be followed:
1) Break the core and pull out of hole. When tripping, care should be taken when setting slips to avoid
jarring the barrel as core loss may occur. It may also be advantageous to chain out the pipe whilst in open
hole.
2) Special attention has to be paid during tripping in order to avoid pipe sticking.
3) If any drag occurs, rotate the pipe slowly with the slips in. Do not exceed 30,000lbs overpull.
4) The core shall be recovered under the Company Well Site Subsurface Geologist's supervision.
5) When the core barrel reaches surface place a collar clamp above the slips. Break off the last stand of
collars and stand back in the derrick. Remove steel ball from the core barrel using the pick up tool. Make
up an elevator sub, and torque up the sub using the tongs.
6) Pull the core barrel out of the rotary table. Break off the bit. Make up a core barrel protector making
sure it is tight.
7) Run the core barrel back into the rotary table, a visual inspection of the core barrel and stabilizers can
be carried out whilst the barrel is being lowered. Set the slips below the top stabilizers, replace the collar
clamp.
8) Break out the safety joint, rotate out using chain tongs, and pull out the inner barrel. Check the inner
barrel connection has been pulled. Break off inner tube shoe lower half (catcher) using chain tongs or a
pipe wrench. Place the core tong shoe on the inner barrel. The shoe should be backed out on the rig floor
preventing core from falling out of the inner tube. Put the core tong handle on the core tong shoe. Exert
pressure on the core tong handle and pick up the inner barrel slowly. Remove the inner tube shoe.

The core can now be removed from the inner barrel, as the inner tube is picked up. When desired boxing
length is reached, exert pressure on the core tong handle. The exposed core can then be removed and
boxed. Lower the barrel, keeping pressure on the core tong handle until the core in the core tong is
resting on the floor. The pressure on the core tong handle can now be released, pick up inner tube again
exposing core.
This procedure should be continue until the core marker comes out of the inner tube. If however the core
marker or further core does not appear, lower the inner tube onto the floor and knock the inner barrel with
a sledge hammer until the core falls. Do not repeat the sledge hammer blows to the same area on the
inner barrel as this will damage the tube.
If the core can not be removed in this manner it will be necessary to lay down the inner tube and pump
out the core. Using the pump out bean and plunger, the core can be pumped out using water as a
medium. Do not under any circumstances use pressurized air.
9) Once the removal of the core has been completed, clean off the catcher and lower shoe, replace if
necessary. Make up the lower shoe up onto the inner barrel, tighten with chain tongs using cheater bars.
Run the inner barrel back into the outer tube.
Check for bearing wear, if excessive change out. Check the ‘O’ rings. If all are in good condition, re-
grease the safety joint and make up to the recommended torque. Break off the protector. Evaluate the
core head wear and change out if necessary.
10) Make up the core head. Pick up the barrel. Ensure the inner barrel is rotating freely, by placing a hand
inside the core catcher and rotating. The barrel is now ready to run into the hole for further coring.
11) Reaming shall be avoided when using a core barrel. If this has to be done, use the maximum
circulating rate with minimum weight and rotate at low rpm.

3. CORING IN DEVIATED HOLES

In deviated holes (certainly in angles over 20°), coring is more difficult because of the additional forces
caused by the weight on bit, the weight of the core barrel and of the drill collars at such angles.
These gravity forces will bend the drill collars and core barrel. As a result the inner barrel will also rotate
and the bit will start to wobble. This again will result in poor recovery and unequal wear of the core head.
Also the hole angle and direction could be affected. In order to minimize the bending, additional
stabilization is required.

3.1. Stabilization of the Outer Barrel

All coring in deviated holes must be done with a core head equipped with a piggy-back stabilizer,
whenever possible. This will keep the core head stable resulting in a good core recovery.
The 30ft barrel should preferably be stabilized at the top, centre and bottom. These stabilizers should
have wide blades, right-hand spiral 360° wrap with an 8 3/8" OD. This means that the two barrel sections
cannot be of the standard length, but must be only 13ft long (4m).
3.2. Stabilization of the Inner Barrel
The inner barrel should also be stabilized preferably with a stabilizer in the centre.
3.3. Stabilization of the Drill Collar Assembly
The first string stabilizer must be placed directly on top of the core barrel, followed by a stabilizer at 30ft
and one at 60ft above the barrel. The remaining available stabilizers should be evenly spaced out over
the rest of the assembly, as required.