Observation of core discing and in situ stress measurements; Stress criteria causing core discing

Summary

Core discing was typically observed in cores recovered from near horizontal holes drilled in Palaeogene sandstones at a depth of 1055 m in the Horonai colliery, Hokkaido, Japan. We have observed disc- and ring-like cores and measured in situ stress where they were recovered. We compared the measured stress state with an empirical criterion of core discing based on Obert and Stephenson (1965) and a theoretical criterion based on Sugawara et al. (1978) and Ishida and Saito (1989). Consequently, we found that disc-like cores were recovered under lower stress state than predicted by both criteria. The stress state where ring-like cores were recovered satisfied the empirical criterion, however, it was below the critical stress state according to the theoretical criterion. These discrepancies indicate that existing stress criteria are not satisfactory and that further experimental, theoretical and field investigations are needed.