iRock Technologies offers a full suite of core analysis services through its world-leading digital core laboratories.
Using a patented process for analyzing hydrocarbon reservoir cores, iRock laboratories can both digitize and image cores at different scales, then store the data in an artificial intelligence–enabled geological cloud.
iRock delivers results of rock properties and fluid flow predictions faster than other labs that do not offer digital core analysis. Digital imaging and modeling provide important insights and potential uncertainties into displacement processes, and allow rigorous quality control of routine (RCA) and special core analysis (SCAL) results.
Digital core services provided by iRock require high-end industry analytical and imaging equipment and tools. Located in China and the Middle East, our lab facilities have a complete range of scanning and imaging equipment that covers resolutions from nanometer to millimeter. The lab equipment includes
- Sample preparation devices
- Whole-core dual-energy x-ray scanners
- Micro-CT systems (microscale)
- Nano-CT systems (micron to nanometer scale)
- FIB-SEMs (nanometer scale)
- Mineral mapping systems (high-resolution, large-area mineralogy identification)
- Access to other Synchrotron micro-CT and nano-CT facilities in China and Europe
These unique instruments and tools allow a wide range of RockDNA analysis including
- Conventional sandstone and carbonate reservoirs with varying levels of heterogeneity
- Unconventional tight sandstone, shale, gas hydrate, coalbed methane and other reservoir rocks
Rock samples and resolutions compare favorably to conventional core analysis techniques to ease interpretation.
| Scan type | Rock sample size | Resolution range | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3D whole core scan | 10 cm to 1 m long 2.5 to 25 cm in diameter | 100 μm to 0.5 mm | Density logging Core plug selection Heterogeneity analysis Fracture analysis Digital core database |
| 3D standard core plug scan | 2.5 or 3.8 cm (standard) | 12 to 40 μm | Geological description Heterogeneity study |
| 3D subplug CT scan | 1 mm to 2.5 cm | 0.5 to 12 μm | 3D detailed scan Microscale pore structure analysis |
| 3D CT nano scan | 2 or 200 μm | 1 to 200 nm | 3D detailed scan Nanoscale pore structure analysis |
| 3D FIB nano scan | 2 or 200 μm | 1 to 200 nm | 3D ultrahigh-resolution scan Pore network analysis on extreme samples (shale, tight gas, etc.) |
| 2D nano scan | 2.5 cm across or subareas | 1 to 250 nm | Large FOV, nm to cm High-resolution image mosaics and analysis |
| 2D mineralogy scan | 2.5 cm across or subareas | 12 to 50 μm | Mineral identification and analysis |
iRock Technologies complements advanced digital core technology with traditional routine core analysis and special core analysis to derive rock physical properties, fluid properties, biostratigraphy and geochemistry, and other measurements.
iRock laboratories follow a rigorous quality management system and carry out measurements in strict accordance with the requirements of both national and international standards. We have served companies worldwide including ADNOC, China Geological Survey, CNOOC, KOC, OMV, PetroChina, Saudi Aramco, Schlumberger and Sinopec.
