SAMPLES DESCRIPTION

Every rig has shaker screen for separating the drill cuttings from the drilling fluid as they reach the surface
and the cutting size will be controlled only be the size of the shaker screen
Samples should be taken when changes in the drill rate fast break occur, background gas, or any other
Parameter is noticed, as these often indicate changes in formation Lithology or porosity.
The collected sample must be washed by water in case of water based mud or by diesel if the OBM is
used for remove the oil based mud, then by detergent liquid soap for remove the diesel, then by water for
remove the soap
The sample should consist of single thin layer on the sample tray, to describe the Lithology percentage more
accurate.
.
After wash the sample, the cuttings left on 8-mesh sieve are caving, which are important because:
If an increase in caving content is observed, this could indicate an unstable borehole.
Concaved and elongated needle shaped appearance of caving, may indicate increasing formation
pressure, and will be known as Pressurized cutting, mostly shale.
The caving may subdivided into two main groups:
Mechanical caving: due to drill string collision with the hole during drilling, and usually being blocky
in shape.
Pressurized caving: due to the difference in pressure between the mud column and the formation pore
pressure.
Where the pore pressure being higher than the hydrostatic pressure the formation will push and destroy the
rock, rock disintegration in way to balance this drop in pressure, hence needle shape cuttings will be present.
Confirm Co.Man & Mud Engineer with percentage of the pressurized shale in the sample.
The cuttings on the 80-mesh will be the cuttings which will form the bulk of the sample examination. And
usually will be consists of sedimentary rocks.

Mohamed Moharram

CUTTINGS EXAMINATION:
Samples are examined under a microscope for determine:
*Lithology

*Porosity

*Oil Staining

Before you describe the sample ask your self, if this sample represents the drilled interval??
There are many potential sources of contamination when under taken estimates of Lithology percentage.
Some examples are:
*Cavings: cuttings from previously drilled intervals rather than from the bottom of the hole.
*Recycled cuttings: are recognized as being small, abraded, rounded rocks fragments in the sample.
*Mud chemicals: such as L.C.M. Lost Circulation Material & Bentonite.
*Cement: may be mistaken for Siltstone, but is readily identified by testing with Phenolphthalein solution,
its high PH will give a purple color.
*Metal: originates from wearing the inside of the casing by the drill string, so we use rubber drill pipe protectors.
Other sources of metal fragments are bits, confirm Co.Man & Driller with amount & shape of the junk in
the sample.
In some cases samples may be totally unrepresentative of the formation being drilled. For example in
evaporate sections drilled with water based mud salts will dissolve and there will be no lithological indication of
their presence in lagged samples.
Evaporates can still be recognized using good logging practices:
*Evaporates generally have consistent drill rates. Steady depth curve on the Siemens & unsteady TQ curve
especially with Salt.
*Gas value through evaporates will be very low. Usually minimum background
*Poor on no returns on the shale shaker. Usually with foams due to soluble of Salts in water
*Anhydrite sections can usually identified by BaCl2 solution which produces BaSo4 precipitate.
*Limestones and Dolomites are frequently found in association with evaporates.
*The Cl Chloride content of the drilling fluid will increase significantly, ask Mud Engineer

Mohamed Moharram

Samples description procedures:

1-

Determine the different types and percentages of each rock type in the sample.
Isolate the contaminations and cavings.

2-

Describe the most abundant rock type at first, then the lesser one.
The description format should be followed as:

1- Rock type.

2- Classification.

3- Color.

4- Hardness.

5- Grain size.

6- Grain shape.

7- Sorting.

8- Luster.

9- Cementation or Matrix.

10- Visual structure.

11- Visual porosity.

12- Accessories.

1- Clastic Rocks Description:

A-Sand & Sandstone:
The sand may be consolidated Sandstone, or unconsolidated loose sand present near surface.
If the sand is loose start the description with this property. Lse, Then follow the usual description.
But note that, the sandstone may become partially loose due to bit action!
1-Color:
The sands may be colored or colorless. If the sand is colorless clss it may range from transparent
trnsp, allow the light passing through it or in other word seems like glass, to opaque doesnt allow
the light passing, but it may lies between transparent and opaque and will be known as translucent
trnsl.
If the sand or sand stone is colored, start to describe the most dominated color at first, then the others in a
descending order according to their percentage and so on. For ex. Ylsh wh, Bnsh Wh, pnk, etc
3-Hardness:
Ranging from hard to moderately hard.
3-Grain size:
This may be coarse, medium, fine, or very fine grains.
4-Grain Shape:
Is a function of roundness and sphericity, roundness refers to the shape of the edges, and
this may be rounded, subrounded, subangular, and angular.

Mohamed Moharram

Grain shape is a function of transportation distance and transporting agent & both mechanical and
chemical resistance of the rock.

Fig. 1: Roundness & sphericity after SLS training manual, Baker Hughes, 1996.
5- Sorting:
It is the degree of similarity of the grains size, it ranging from well sorted most of
grains have the same size range, moderately sorted, or poorly sorted wide range of
grains size. It gives an indication on sedimentary environment and maturity of the
sedimentary rock.
6- Cement:
it is the material which binds the sand grains, it may be argillaceous cement has a grayish
color, siliceous mostly colorless, ferruginous brownish black to bloody red, or calcareous
react with HCl.
7- Accessories & Inclusions:
There are many accessories minerals in the different rock types and usually being pyrite
golden colored mineral, glauconite light green or olivine mineral.

Mohamed Moharram

8- Oil shows:
1-Under Microscope:
The first thing to be described in the shows is Oil Staining OSTN.
The amount, degree, and color of the staining should be noted, using:

Spotty oil stain.

Streaky oil stain.

Patchy oil stain.

Uniform.

Spotty

Streaky

Uniform

Patchy

Fig.2: OSTN as it seems under a microscope.

Describe color and shape of OSTN, an ex. For OSTN description is Lt bn, uniform
OSTN.
2- Under U.V. Box:
Four things will be described under the ultraviolet box, they are:

Color & degree of fluorescence: dull, pale, bright, yellow, brown, etc.
Stream cut: put some drops of Phenolphthalein and note the stream which will
appear, describe the color of this stream and the speed of its escape from the grains,
the stream may be yellow, fast, medium, or slow, etc .an ex. For stream cut is Brt
yel, fast stream cut.
Crush cut: crush a grain by the forceps and note the changes in the stream, it may
be good, fair, poor, or very poor crush cut.
Residual ring: wait for minute, a residual ring may form around the crushed
sample, if it is formed describe its color Lt bn RR, or NRR if it doesnt appear.

Note: Oil base mud will cause negative OSTN -Ve OSTN due to OBM.
Some examples are:
S.ST: Lse, clss, off wh, wh, mod hd, fn- v. fn grnd, grdg t/sltst, sli calc- cal cmt, gluc, w/tr of free
pyr, w/v. mnr tr of bn- lt bn uniform- pch OSTN, dull yel fluor, slw stream cut, p crush cut, lt bn
RR.
SD: Lse, clss, trnsl- trnp, md-crse grnd, occ/ v.crse grnd, sbang- sbrnd, p srtd, w/-ve OSTN.
S.ST: Lse, clss, wh, off wh, modhd- hd, fn-md grnd, occ/ crse grnd, sbang- sbrnd, w/anhyd
cmt i/p, mod srtd, w/ mnr tr of spty lt brn OSTN, slow stream cut, fr crush cut, no RR.

Mohamed Moharram

B-Clay and Shale:

The main difference between the clay and shale is the fissility. Clays found near surface only.

1-Color:
This may be gray, dark gray, light gray, light green, greenish gray, brownish gray, light brown.
Gives an indication on sedimentary environment, grayish colors refer to reducing environments Gy,
green, etc, while brownish black to bloody reed colors refer to oxidizing environments.

2-Hardness:
The hardness is examined by the forceps, and may different in evaluation from one to other, but it must
be very closer. The usual hardness definitions are:

Soft. minimum possible hardness

Moderately firm.

Firm.

Highly firm. maximum possible hardness

3-Grain shape:
The grain shape may be:

subflaky

Flaky

subblocky

blocky

Fig.3: Grain shape of shale as it seems under microscope.

4-Accessories:
a) Minerals:
Two common minerals usually associated with shale, they are:

Pyrite.
Glauconite.
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If the percent of mineral is less than 10% it will considered as traces. W/tr of pyr
If the mineral is found inside the grain it self with considerable amounts, it will be described as
disseminated. W/tr of dissem pyr
If the mineral is found outside the grain, it will be described as free mineral. W/tr of free pyr
If some grains include mineral while the others dont include it, it will be described as in parts.
W/tr of pyr i/p
If some samples include certain minerals while the others dont include it, it will be described as
occasionally. Occ/pyr
b) Fossils:
Fossiliferous.
Non-fossiliferous.

4-Cement:
This will be Calcareous react with HCl, slightly calcareous, highly calcareous, or Noncalcareous.
*Shale may be sticky, and washable.
Note: Siltstone is like shale in description.
Some examples are:
CLAY: Gy, lt gnsh gy, occ/ dk gy, sft- mod frm, sbblky- sbflky, sandy i/p, hi wash, non calc.
SH: Gy, lt gnsh gy, occ/ dk gy, sft-mod frm, sbblky- sbflky, sandy i/p, non calc.
SH: Lt gy, gy, dk gy, sft-frm, sb blky-sb flky, hi calc grdg to marl, hi slty, hi sandy.
SH: Lt gy, gy, dk gy, brn gy, occ/ grn gy, mod frm-sft, occ/ frm, sb blky-sb flky, hi sndy, hi
slty, glauc i/p, foss, calc-hi calc grdg to marl i/p
Sltst: Gy, lt gy, lt bnsh gy, occ/ grnsh gy, sft- mod frm, sbblky- sbflky, sli calc- calc.

Mohamed Moharram

2-Carbonate Rocks:
There are many differences between these rock types in composition, color, hardness,
crystallinity, and reactivity.
Carbonate rocks classification:
Carbonate rocks will be those rocks made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and calcium
magnesium carbonate (CaMg (CO3)2).
They are generally broken down into two simple types based on their origin:
Clastic:
a) Lithocalstics - fragments of pre-existing rocks
b) Bioclastics- fossil fragments
Chemical:
a) Lutaceous- lime mud or micrite
b) Crystalline- sparry limestone or dolomite
Dunham Classification System of calstic carbonates rocks:
a) Mudstone (Mdst) - composed of lime mud (smaller than 20 microns) and
less than 10% grains. Mud supported.
b) Wackestone (Wkst) composed primarily of lime mud, with more than
10% grains (larger than 20 microns). Mud supported.
c) Packstone (Pkst) - composed primarily of grains, and grain supported.
Greater than 10% interstitial mud matrix and occasionally sparry calcite or
pore space.
d) Grainstone (Grst) - composed of grains, and grain supported less than 10%
interstitial mud matrix.
e) Boundstone (Bdst) - original consists were bound together and supported in
place, by organic growth.
f) Crystalline (Xln) - all original textures are lacking due to the effects of
recrystallization. Distinct crystal faces, with occasional relics.
Carbonate Rocks Differentiation:
Limestone and dolomite seem to be similar, but we can differentiate between them as
following:
1- Usually dolomite seems darker in color than limestone.
2- Usually dolomite being harder than limestone.
3- Limestone-reacts instantly with 10% HCl, it will float on top of the acid and
move on the surface. It will completely dissolve within minute and leave the acid
frothy.

Mohamed Moharram

Dolomitic limestone- reacts immediately, but moderately and continuous. It will

move about in the acid from top to bottom.
Calcitic limestone-reacts slowly and weakly at first, but accelerates to a
continuous reaction after a few minutes, with some bobbing on the bottom of the
dish.
Dolomite- very slow and hesitant reaction. Bubbles evolve one at time. Acid may
have warmed for reaction to proceed. It will leave the acid milky.
Calcimeters can assist in determining the percentages of calcium and dolomite in
the rock sample.
4-Alizarin Red S- after etching in HCl, the sample is placed in cold Alizarin Red S
for several minutes. Limestone will stain a deep red, while dolomite remains
unaffected.
Carbonate Rocks Description:
1-Color:
It may be white, milky white, creamy white, off white, smoky white, yellowish whit,
brownish white, or grayish white. Give an indication of sedimentary environment.
2- Hardness:
It may be soft, moderately hard, hard, or very hard.
3- Crystallinity:
It may be microcrystalline, or cryptocrystalline.
4- Texture:
It may be:
Oolitic spheroidal or smooth- surfaced grains with concentric internal structure
sucrosic sugary, similar to rhombic (usually calcitic dolomite)
Pisolitic uncompleted sphere

Oolitic
Pisolite

Sucrosic

Fig4: Some Possible Textures of limestone.

Mohamed Moharram

5- Visual Porosity & Structure:

It may be represented by vuggy porosity and fissures for example, or not.
6- Accessories:
It may be sand, shale, dolomite, or chalk.
7- Oil Shows:
It may be present or not NS see the oil shows description discussed above.
Note: Anhydrite is like limestone in description. Describe color, hardness, and crystallinity
Some examples are:
Lst: Crmy wh, off wh, wh, sft- mod hd, mic- crypxln, Ool tex, fugy por, chkly, gluc, NS.
Lst: Off wh, crmy wh, wh, sft- mod hd, mic- crypxln fugy por, chlky, NS.
ANH: Wh, off wh, mlky wh, md hd- sft, cryp- micxln, pstd i/p
ANH: Mlky wh, wh, off wh, occ/ clss, sft- mod hd, cryp- micxln, sndy i/p
Dol: Ylsh wh, off wh, crmy wh, hd- v hd, cryp- micxln, no vis por, NS
Conglomerate is described as follow:
Cong: Composed of Sst, Sh, Lst, Chert, w/tr of ANH, no vis OSTN.
Reminds:
*All OBM drill cuttings should be air-dried outside the logging unit. Never oven drying if the
oven hasnt a blower be careful it is very harmful fumes. If necessary leave it at least for two
hours outside the logging unit before oven drying.
*Wear a rubber gloves before dealing with OBM, Diesel, Calcium Carbide, HCL to protect
your self from these toxic materials.
* Focus enough lighting on the sample before start the description.
*Ask your direct manager or technical support for any questions.

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Mohamed Moharram

REFRENCES:
Surface Logging System, Training Manual, Baker Hughes, Huston, USA, 1996, 138 p.
Advanced Logging Procedures, Baker Hughes, Huston, USA, 1995, 257 p.

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Mohamed Moharram