Core samples at the Pennsylvania Geological Survey on Nov. 15, 2022. Photo: Jeremy Long / WITF
Have you ever seen a core sample? What is a core sample, you ask? According to the Society of Petroleum Engineers, core samples are small portions of a formation taken from an existing well and used for geologic analysis (see the picture on the left). The sample is analyzed to determine porosity, permeability, fluid content, geologic age, and probable productivity of oil or natural gas from the site. Core samples are used to construct geologic maps of a region--like Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Geological Survey is running out of room to store its many samples and received $6 million in this year’s state budget for a new building to house its growing library of core samples. Which is important, because those who want to store carbon underground want to study those samples.
