Patent application number | Description | Published |
20150021096 | CORING TOOLS AND METHODS FOR MAKING CORING TOOLS AND PROCURING CORE SAMPLES - Methods of procuring a core sample may involve engaging an earth formation with a cutting structure of a coring bit. A core sample may be received within a receptacle connected to the coring bit, the receptacle being lined with a sponge material. A space of about 1 mm or less may be maintained between the core sample and the sponge material. Coring tools may include a coring bit comprising an inner gage and an outer gage and a sponge material positioned to at least partially surround a core sample cut by the coring bit. A radial distance between an inner surface of the sponge material and the inner gage of the coring bit may be about 1 mm or less. A distance between a center of curvature of the inner gage and a center of curvature of the outer gage may be about 0.3 mm or less. | 01-22-2015 |
20150021097 | PRESSURE COMPENSATION MODULES FOR CORING TOOLS, CORING TOOLS INCLUDING PRESSURE COMPENSATION MODULES, AND RELATED METHODS - Methods of compensating pressure differences between interiors and exteriors of inner barrels of coring tools may involve advancing a coring tool into a wellbore, the coring tool comprising an inner barrel for receiving a core sample cut by the coring tool, a first fluid being sealed within the inner barrel. A second fluid may flow along an exterior of the inner barrel. A pressure difference between the first fluid and the second fluid may be reduced. A volume occupied by the first fluid may be compressed by moving a compensating member. The volume occupied by the first fluid may be expanded by moving the compensating member. | 01-22-2015 |
20150060142 | MECHANICAL CORE JAM INDICATOR FOR CORING TOOLS, CORING TOOLS INCLUDING SUCH CORE JAM INDICATORS, AND RELATED METHODS - Core jam indicators for use with coring tools include a plug coupled with an inner barrel and configured to selectively close the entrance of the inner barrel. The plug has at least one fluid port extending through a wall of the plug between an interior and an exterior of the plug. The mandrel at least partially covers the at least one fluid port of the plug in an activated position and the at least one fluid port is at least partially uncovered by the mandrel in a deactivated position. The mandrel is coupled to the inner barrel. A piston force acting on the mandrel resulting from a pressure difference above and below the mandrel acts over an area smaller than a maximum transverse cross-sectional area of the inner barrel. Coring tools include such core jam indicators. Components are provided and assembled to form such core jam indicators. | 03-05-2015 |
20150068812 | CORING TOOLS INCLUDING CORE SAMPLE FLAP CATCHER AND RELATED METHODS - A core sample catcher for a coring tool includes at least one flap catcher member movably coupled to an inner barrel of the coring tool. The at least one flap catcher member is configured to move between a first position and a second position. A passageway extending through the inner barrel is at least substantially un-occluded by the at least one flap catcher member in the first position and at least partially occluded by the at least one flap catcher member in the second position. The core sample catcher also includes a piston member located and configured to retain the at least one flap catcher member in the first position. The piston member is sized and configured to release the at least one flap catcher member as the piston is forced upward within the inner barrel by the core sample. Components are provided and assembled to form core sample catchers. | 03-12-2015 |
20150322722 | CORING TOOLS AND RELATED METHODS - A coring bit for extracting a sample of subterranean formation material from a well bore may include a bit body having a bit face and an inner surface defining a substantially cylindrical cavity of the bit body. A first portion of the inner surface may be configured to surround a core catcher. The coring bit may include a face discharge channel inlet formed in the inner surface of the bit body longitudinally at or above the first portion of the inner surface. The coring bit may also include a face discharge channel extending through the bit body from the face discharge channel inlet to the bit face. A tubular body having a core catcher may be disposed in the coring bit to form a coring tool. Methods of forming such bit bodies may include forming an inlet for a face discharge channel in the inner surface of the bit body at a location longitudinally at or above the first portion of the inner surface and forming a face discharge channel extending from the inlet to the bit face. | 11-12-2015 |
20160060986 | ACTIVATION MODULES FOR OBSTRUCTING ENTRANCES TO INNER BARRELS OF CORING TOOLS AND RELATED CORING TOOLS AND METHODS - Activation modules for selectively sealing entrances to inner barrels of coring tools may include an activator body sized and configured to obstruct the entrance to the inner barrel when the activation module is in a first state and to release the entrance to the inner barrel when the activation module is in a second state. A sealing element may be located at a periphery of the activator body, and may be configured to form a seal between at least a portion of an interior of the inner barrel and at least a portion of an exterior of the inner barrel when the activation module is in the first state and to disengage the seal when the activation module is in the second state. | 03-03-2016 |