In line with Laser’s Quality policy, the Core Analysis/RD&I Laboratory’s vision is to be a reference centre known globally for tackling customized oil and gas challenges. To actualize this vision, the Laboratory’s activities are driven by the following quality objectives:

• To enhance the understanding of issues related to oil and gas production for clients.
• To acquire new knowledge applicable to the company’s business needs that eventually will result in new or improved products, processes, systems, or services.

Using standard methods with state-of-the-art equipment, our services are broadly categorized as:

1. Routine Core Analysis

• CT scan of whole core
• Spectral Gamma Ray Log of whole core
• Whole core cutting (optional)
• Core Slabbing
• Core Plugging
• CT scan of plugs
• Digital photography (White Light – slabbed core and core plugs)
• Digital photograph (UV–slabbed core and core plugs)
• Sleeving (unconsolidated)
• Preservation of cores
• Lithological plug-hole description
• Plug cleaning and drying
• Grain density measurement
• Laser Particle Size Analysis
• Grain Size Analysis
• Solvent extraction by Dean-Stark method
• Porosity measurement at ambient and in-situ conditions
• Air permeability at ambient and in-situ conditions
• Detailed sedimentological description using Well CAD
• Report for Routine Core Analysis.

1. Special Core Analysis

• Capillary pressure experiments
• Electrical properties tests
• Relative permeability measurements
• Wettability – Amott/USBM Combined
• Interfacial Tension (oil-brine, air-brine)
• Microstructure and petrography studies
• X-ray Diffraction (both sand and clay)
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
• Thin section preparation and analysis

1. Enhanced Oil Recovery

• Water Flooding
• Polymer Floading
• Surfactant Floading
• Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP)

Laser Engineering has expanded its services to embrace the Core Analysis Laboratory for the Oil and Gas industry in order to bridge the existing research gap in the country. She has invested in research and her laboratories can be used to conduct research in the following areas:

⦁ Enhanced Oil Recovery

⦁ Relative Permeability (Steady and Unsteady state)

⦁ Rock-Fluid Compatibility 

⦁ Crude Oil Finger Printing

⦁ Complete Crude Assay Analysis

⦁ Flow Assurance

⦁ PVT Studies

⦁ Environmental Studies

⦁ Mineralogy Identification and Quantification (XRD and XRF)

Laser Engineering collaborates with private and government tertiary institutions of learning, research organizations and companies that are interested in conducting and developing in-country research capacity. Internally, the Core Analysis unit liaises with other units to conduct relevant studies in various areas that impact on the petroleum industry. The unit has published several research papers in reservoir management, PVT and Environmental studies.

The Core Analysis unit is also involved in software development especially for the oil and gas industry because software packages are part of the industry’s daily routine. A user-friendly software called LaserMBAL which can estimate hydrocarbon volumes and the primary drive energy of a reservoir has been developed. The snapshots below show some interfaces in the software.

An overview of our equipment and their uses are highlighted