Abstract A core repository is a physical record of a country's or commercial organization's subsurface wealth. Some of the largest core repositories hold thousands of kilometres of core material and it is a challenge to turn this physical archive into an accessible digital resource for all. Non-destructive multi-sensor core logger, hyperspectral and X-ray imaging techniques offer a unique chance to rescue valuable data trapped within core samples, improving the way that a core repository delivers data to academic or industrial end users. Here we present a case study of an archived petroleum core acquired in 1985 at the Osprey Field, UK Continental Shelf. Data from the UK National Data Repository are augmented by a multi-sensor core logger, hyperspectral and X-ray dataset that is uploaded into a cloud-based digital repository. The data were analysed using a multi-variant analysis to reclassify the original lithological interpretations, uncovering a greater proportion of clay and cemented horizons than was previously interpreted. A workflow is established to optimize the use of legacy cores and exploit the abundance of data trapped within the core repository using continuous multi-sensor core scanning and imaging data, which are stored within the virtual environment for visualization and access to all.

Abstract Located 160 km NE of the Shetland Islands in the East Shetland Basin, the Dunlin Cluster comprises four produced fields, Dunlin, Dunlin SW, Osprey and Merlin, in addition to some near-field satellite discoveries, Skye and Block 6. Dunlin was discovered in July 1973 and production began in August 1978. The field was developed using a concrete gravity-base platform, Dunlin Alpha, which also served as the production facility for the rest of the Dunlin Cluster. Osprey was discovered in 1974 but not tied-in until January 1991. Dunlin SW was discovered in 1973 but not brought onto production until 1996. Merlin was discovered in February 1997 and tied-in later that same year. Fairfield Energy acquired the Dunlin Cluster in 2008, and a programme of investment and facilities improvements, primarily in fuel gas infrastructure and power generation, sought to boost water-injection rates and bolster production, thereby extending the life of the asset. Ultimately, the Dunlin Cluster ceased production on 15 June 2015 after having maximized economic hydrocarbon recovery. The total Dunlin Cluster production exceeded 500 MMbbl of oil (Dunlin and Dunlin SW, 395 MMbbl oil; Osprey, 92 MMbbl oil; and Merlin, 27 MMbbl oil).