Interface test between Geotek PCATS and Aumann pressure coring systems

Geotek and Aumann Associates have performed an interface test between Geotek's Pressure Core Transfer and Analysis System (PCATS) and two new Aumann Associates (AAI) pressure corer autoclaves: the Hybrid Pressure Coring System with Ball Valve (PCTB, previously known as the Hybrid PCS) and the High Pressure Temperature Corer (HPTC). These pressure coring systems from AAI, which both take 3.5 m long cores, have been designed to mate with the new PCATS which in turn has been modified to accept these long core.

For the tests of both systems, a core liner was placed in the corer autoclave and the autoclave was pressurized (250 bar and 350 bar for the PCTB/Hybrid PCS and HPTC respectively). The autoclave was attached to PCATS, the core was transferred into PCATS under pressure, and the autoclave was removed from PCATS. The core liner was then cut under pressure in PCATS and the cut piece of liner was transferred into storage chamber. Finally, PCATS was depressurized to remove the portion of the coring device at the top of the core liner (sometimes referred to as the "technical" part of the core).

The Aumann corer autoclaves laid out next to the PCATS laboratory containers.

Lifting the PCTB/Hybrid PCS autoclave into place, prior to mating with PCATS.

The PCATS control display, showing a live X-ray of the cut core liner.

Attaching a 3.5m storage chamber onto PCATS in preparation for core transfer.

Jim Aumann and John Roberts inside the PCATS central control laboratory at the end of the successful tests.