METHOD TO CHARACTERISE ROCK FORMATIONS AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREWITH

摘要

A portable apparatus (111) to measure the change in behaviour of a rock specimen (113) in a fluid (25) of prescribed composition. The rock specimen (113) is prepared from drill cuttings, wellbore cave-in material, or core offcuts returned during the drilling operation of a wellbore. The apparatus (111) comprises a vessel (23) in which the fluid (25) and specimen (113) are placed. The apparatus (111) has a loading means for applying at least one load upon the specimen (113) and at least one measuring device (119) to measure the deformation of the specimen (113) in response to a change in load. The apparatus (111) also comprises a stirring system to maintain uniformity of the fluid (25) and a temperature regulating device (131) to maintain the fluid (25) at the desired temperature.