Exploration and Production Services > Filtercake Return Permeability Testing

FIltercake Core Permeability Testing

Lost Circulation Material and Return Permeability Testing

Intertek determinines potential permeability reduction in rock formations caused from plugged filtercakes, or "lost circulation materials" (LCM). This data is crucial in helping clients optimize rock formation crude oil flow and production.

Intertek scientists measure filtercake reverse flow permeability in the laboratory, forming the filtercake on a core in the lab, then using reverse flow (production direction) to measure any reduction in permeability in the flowback (or producing) mode.

To reduce drilling fluid loss, drill mud formulators add lost circulation material (LCM). LCM material is designed to plug the pores in the rock at the surface of the wellbore, acting in much the same way as a dryer filter gets plugged.

The LCM is often flat or fibrous material that will plug, but not enter, the rock pores. When a formation produces oil, the “filter cake” is then ideally removed for the crude oil production stage.

Since none of these LCM materials are perfect, some of the lost circulation material can make its way into the rock pores. Then when the formation is produced, LCM that entered the pores can plug them in the producing direction and reduce the flow and permeability of the rock for production (formation damage). Contact Intertek for more details. Core samples are shipped to Intertek Westport on a global basis.