The presentation introduces QEMSCAN®, a fully automated technology that
analyses a variety of rock sample types (including core plugs and ditch
cuttings) to extract quantitative mineralogy, and petrographic data.
The technology, which is SEM-based, uses a combination of energy
dispersive X-ray spectra and backscattered electrons to identify minerals
present, from which false colour digital ‘mineral maps’ and data are
generated. The technique has been used to characterise a wide range of
siliciclastic and carbonate sediments worldwide.
A case study is presented where QEMSCAN® data from 300 samples
(comprising >1000 individual cuttings per sample) are integrated into a
reservoir characterisation study. The data were used to provide
mineralogical, lithological and specific gravity information for the well
section (approximately 2600m). The resultant data were used to confirm
wireline log interpretation and determine if a sediment provenance change
occurred across a major sequence boundary.
The technique is consistent, robust and repeatable throughout the entire
well section. The accuracy of the technology is demonstrated by comparing
QEMSCAN® data outputs with routine core analyses, and with
complementary petrological data obtained by conventional optical
microscopy, XRD and SEM.
I am a geoscientist with 22 years experience in the oil and gas industry.
After a geoscience degree at Aberystwyth University and then a PhD at
Bedford College in London, I joined the sedimentology department at
Robertson Research in North Wales. After 7 years, I moved to Oslo and
then Stavanger. I worked for a variety of companies (Nopec, PGS and IBM)
before returning to the UK as a Product Manager at Landmark Graphics.
Currently, I am the Business Development Manager at Intellection UK.
I am a geologist with 15 years experience in a variety of fields including
igneous petrology, environmental and forensic mineralogy. My first degree
is from the University of Edinburgh, after which I gained a PhD from the
University of Exeter (Camborne School of Mines) where I was subsequently
employed as Senior Experimental Officer. I have extensive experience of
scanning electron microscopy and have worked with QEMSCAN® for the last
5 years.
Currently, I am the Technical Applications Manager at Intellection UK.