Special Report, Core Sample Library Summary

The project was initiated by SGGA in January 2016, with the proposal to construct core libraries for Sheberghan and Mazar-e-Sharif Oil and Gas Survey (OGS) branches. The project was approved by USAID's SGDP COR on February 1, 2016. The core libraries are crucial for the analysis of geological characteristics in connection with oil and gas exploration and production. The project was performed in conjunction with the seven gas field data evaluation and contingent resources study conducted by McDaniel Associates for SGGA. The importance of having an organized core library was discussed with the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) senior management, and SGGA requested MoMP's assistance in making this valuable service happen. The Sheberghan core library was in a complete mess, consisting of old, broken boxes and left in a locked room where dust, water, and open windows had taken their toll on the condition of the core samples. The first stage of the project involved the removal of the old, broken core boxes. Subsequently, SGGA subcontracted with local carpentry, metal work, calligrapher, and day laborers to clean and repair the core library. They built new core boxes to hold and identify core samples, along with the requisite metal shelves to hold and protect 53 core sample boxes. The core samples were shifted from old boxes to new boxes and labeled by the calligrapher on the back and edge to include the name of the oil and gas field, intervals, and other relevant information. SGGA also took the initiative to prepare a soft and hard core catalog for OGS, which can be used as a guide for core specifications. The Sheberghan core library work was successfully completed on April 20, 2016. The Mazar-e-Sharif core library, on the other hand, was in an old Russian warehouse that was in disrepair and stored various Soviet-era spare parts. The initial condition of the warehouse and the core samples was a total mess and scattered all over the place. The first step required an extensive cleaning process, which took six days to provide a usable place for the SGGA/OGS team to count and review the old core boxes. There were 1,266 core boxes available, with some broken and empty. After the cleanup process, the SGGA team did a market research and located another qualified carpenter to build new core boxes similar to the Sheberghan portion of the work. The Mazar-e-Sharif core library work involved over one thousand core sample boxes, and some of the boxes were in usable condition. The project aimed to create a comprehensive and organized core library for the Mazar-e-Sharif OGS branch, which will facilitate the analysis of geological characteristics and support oil and gas exploration and production activities. The core libraries created by SGGA will provide a valuable resource for the oil and gas industry in Afghanistan, enabling the analysis of geological characteristics and supporting exploration and production activities. The project demonstrates the importance of having organized core libraries and the need for a comprehensive and systematic approach to managing core samples.