Core Holders

High-pressure core holders designed for a wide range of testing applications, including Rock Mechanics, Core Flooding, Resistivity, and X-ray compatible testing. Engineered to ASME Section VIII standards and configurable for specific pressure, temperature, sample size, and fluid compatibility requirements.

Rock Mechanics Core HolderRock Mechanics Triaxial Core Holder

Rock Mechanics Core Holders

In-Situ Stress & Temperature Simulation

Designed to simulate in-situ stress, temperature, and pore fluid pressure conditions. Available in Triaxial, Biaxial, and Mini Triaxial configurations with independent axial and radial stress control. Engineered to ASME Section VIII, Division 1 or 2 and customizable for specific pressure, temperature, sample size, and fluid compatibility requirements.

Triaxial / Biaxial
Confining pressureUp to 30,000 psi
Sample heatingUp to 300°C
Axial load capacityUp to 500,000 lbf
Sample sizeUp to 4″ dia × 8″
Electrical feedthroughs12 (Triaxial)
Pore pressureUp to 20,000 psi
Mini Triaxial
Pressure ratingUp to 10,000 psi
Sample heatingUp to 150°C
Axial loadUp to 50,000 lbf
Sample sizeUp to 1.5″ dia × 3″

Triaxial Core Holder

  • Applies independent axial and radial stresses to simulate in-situ triaxial stress conditions
  • Confining pressure up to 30,000 psi; pore pressure up to 20,000 psi
  • Sample heating up to 300°C
  • 12 electrical feedthroughs for strain, acoustic, thermocouple, and load measurements
  • 4 integrated pore lines for vertical and horizontal permeability and pore pressure control
  • Samples up to 4″ diameter and 8″ length

Biaxial Core Holder

  • Applies radial confining stress with independent axial loading at sample ends
  • Electrical feedthroughs for axial/radial strain, acoustic, resistivity, and thermocouple measurements
  • Integrated pore lines for saturation, permeability, and pore pressure control

Mini Triaxial

  • Compact design — vessel opened by removing a single nut for quick sample loading
  • Independent axial and radial stresses for in-situ triaxial simulation
  • Reduced size allows easy integration inside ovens and load frames
  • Electrical feedthroughs for strain, acoustic, and thermocouple measurements

Common to All

  • Engineered to ASME Section VIII, Division 1 or 2
  • Custom configuration for specific pressure, temperature, and sample requirements
  • Selectable wetted materials for fluid compatibility

Applications

  • Triaxial, biaxial, and isostatic stress path testing
  • In-situ stress and temperature simulation for reservoir conditions
  • Steady-state and transient permeability measurements (vertical and horizontal)
  • Acoustic velocity and AE monitoring during deformation
  • 4-wire resistivity measurement under stress
  • Core flooding and sample saturation studies
Drilling Fluid & LCM Core HolderDrilling Fluid & LCM Core Holder

Drilling Fluid & LCM Core Holders

Specialized Drilling Fluid Interaction Testing

Designed for LCM evaluation, SAAB testing, creep testing, and formation damage studies. Each holder evaluates drilling fluid interaction with core samples under controlled pressure and temperature. Available in LCM, SAAB, Creep, and Formation Damage / Return Perm configurations.

LCM / SAAB / Creep
Pressure ratingUp to 10,000 psi
Temperature ratingUp to 150°C
Sample size (LCM/SAAB)Up to 4″ dia × 8″
Formation Damage / Return Perm
Sample sizes1″ and 1.5″ dia × 12″
Pressure ratingUp to 10,000 psi
Side pressure taps6

LCM Core Holder

  • Evaluates lost circulation material performance under mud and confining pressure
  • Measures fluid loss through a sand-packed annular space around a bored core sample
  • Electrical feedthroughs for strain, acoustic, and other instrumentation
  • Pressure to 10,000 psi; temperature to 150°C; samples up to 4″ × 8″

SAAB Core Holder

  • Shale-as-a-barrier testing for creep, annular barrier formation, and pressure isolation
  • Simulates downhole stress, pressure, and temperature conditions
  • Electrical feedthroughs for axial/radial strain and acoustic measurements

Creep Core Holder

  • Long-term HPHT creep testing of hollow cylinder samples
  • Annular closure detection via casing strain or hydraulic conductivity measurement
  • 8 electrical feedthroughs and 6 integrated pore lines
  • Sample: 1.5″ dia × 6″ with 0.5″ borehole

Formation Damage / Return Perm

  • Drilling fluid circulates across the core face to build a filter cake
  • Permeability measurement in both production and injection directions
  • 6 pressure side taps for differential pressure measurement
  • ¼″ port for drilling fluid with solids to prevent plugging; isostatic stress path
4-Wire Core Holder

Electrical Properties 4-Wire Measurement Core Holder

Resistivity Index & Brine Saturation Testing

Designed for resistivity index and brine saturation testing under controlled confining pressure, pore pressure, and elevated isothermal temperature. Supports RI-Sw measurements with 4-wire resistance measurement at 1″ spacing intervals. Features a Viton sleeve with moulded probes for improved repeatability.

Specifications
Pressure ratingUp to 10,000 psi
Temperature ratingUp to 85°C
Sample sizeUp to 1.5″ dia × 3″
Measurement type4-wire at 1″ spacing
Sleeve materialCustom Viton moulded
Wetted componentsSS or HC
Pipe Cell Core Holder

Pipe Cell Core Holder

Compact Permeability & Resistivity Testing

Designed for quick sample loading for permeability, core flooding, and electrical properties testing. Electrically isolated for 2-wire resistance measurement during flow testing. Compact size allows use with existing pressure systems, ovens, and laboratory setups.

Specifications
Pressure ratingUp to 15,000 psi
Temperature ratingUp to 85°C
Sample sizeUp to 1.5″ dia × 12″
Resistivity measurement2-wire
Electrical isolationYes
Wetted componentsSS or HC
Hassler Core HolderHassler Core Holder Cross Section

Hassler Core Holder

Permeability & Core Flooding

The sleeve remains in place inside the core holder, allowing the sample to be quickly loaded from one end without filling or draining the confining fluid between tests. Designed for routine permeability and core flooding experiments where rapid sample turnover is required.

Specifications
Pressure rating6,000 psi
Temperature rating90°C
Wetted componentsSS or HC
Loading methodSingle-end, sleeve retained
Quick Load Triaxial

Quick Load Triaxial

Fast Loading with Full Triaxial Capability

Designed for fast sample loading while supporting isostatic and triaxial stress paths with independent axial load control. Includes radial and axial deformation measurement to accurately correct sample dimensions under stress. Supports in-place cleaning, pore volume measurement, permeability measurement, and 2-wire resistivity.

Specifications
Pressure rating10,000 psi
Temperature rating90°C
Stress pathsIsostatic & Triaxial
Resistivity2-wire
Wetted componentsSS or HC
X-Ray Carbon Fiber Core HolderX-Ray Carbon Fiber Core Holder Detail

X-Ray Carbon Fiber Core Holder

In-Situ Saturation X-Ray CT Monitoring

Used for relative permeability testing with in-situ saturation monitoring under X-ray CT scanning. Carbon fiber/titanium composite construction allows X-ray visibility through the sample for accurate saturation measurement. Can be equipped with mini-series needle valves for core aging and pressure transfer.

Specifications
Pressure rating15,000 psi
Temperature rating150°C
Sample size1.5″ dia × 12″
Body materialCarbon fiber / titanium
X-ray compatibleYes — full sample visibility
Wetted componentsSS or HC
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