Abstract:

While drilling in the gas hydrate bearing formation under the seabed, it is very important to use the pressure core sampler(PCS) tool to obtain pressure cores for the further core handling and analyzing. The current domestic state of the art with respect to pressure-temperature core samplers is firstly reviewed in this article. Internal sealing technologies of PCS are analyzed from the upper and lower seals of the sample chamber, which include some seals, such as the ball valve and O-rings. The sealing characteristics of two domestic samplers are analyzed. Based on the above analysis, with the features of core in-situ handling and analyzing, the sealing technologies of PCS and two domestic samplers have been discussed. At last, some suggestions are brought out for designing the seals of sampler, maintaining the in-situ pressure and temperature, and transferring the pressure core.

Key words: gas hydrate, pressure core sampler, seal, ball value, O-ring