A check valve (18) may be incorporated in an inner core barrel assembly (10). The check valve (18) has a valve body (20) defining a fluid flow path FP and provided with a valve seat (24). A valve member (22) is located in the valve body (20) and coupled to the valve body (20) by a coupling mechanism (37). The coupling mechanism (37) is arranged to allow the valve member (22) to move linearly in an axial direction relative to the valve body (20) onto and off of the valve seat (24) and maintain a fixed rotational relationship with the valve body (20). A data acquisition system (60) can be held in the valve member (22) and by virtue of the coupling mechanism be maintained rotationally fixed relative to the valve body an inner core tube (16) of an inner core barrel assembly (10).
A method (60) of determining core orientation of a core sample (12) cut from the ground by a drill rig (10) having a drill string and a drill bit (20) coupled to a downhole end of the drill string. Drilling data (Cn, Rn) is continuously acquired while the drill rig (10) is operating to cut and retrieve the core sample (12). The drilling data is a combination of core orientation data Cn and rig operational data Rn, where the rig operational data is constituted by either one or both of: (a) near bit rig data Nn; and, (b) at surface rig data Sn. The drilling data is analysed for a specific pattern of rig operational data Rn indicative of the core sample being broken from ground by operation of the drill rig (10). On detection of the specific pattern, the orientation of the core sample prior to being broken from the ground is the acquired core orientation data Cn coinciding with that specific pattern of rig operational data Rn.
E21B 25/16 - Apparatus for obtaining or removing undisturbed cores, e.g. core barrels or core extractors for obtaining oriented cores
E21B 47/024 - Determining slope or direction of devices in the borehole
E21B 44/00 - Automatic control systems specially adapted for drilling operations, i.e. self-operating systems which function to carry out or modify a drilling operation without intervention of a human operator, e.g. computer-controlled drilling systemsSystems specially adapted for monitoring a plurality of drilling variables or conditions
G05B 13/04 - Adaptive control systems, i.e. systems automatically adjusting themselves to have a performance which is optimum according to some preassigned criterion electric involving the use of models or simulators
3.
DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE TRANSPORT OF AN APPARATUS ALONG AN UPWARD OR A DOWNWARD DIRECTED CONDUIT OR BOREHOLE
A device (10) for facilitating the transport of an apparatus A along an upward or downward directed conduit or bore hole including a drill string (12) is described. The device (10) has a body (13) having an upper body portion (20) and a lower body portion (22) which are coupled together and movable axially relative to each other. A fluid flow path (58) internal of the body (13) selectively enables fluid to flow through the body (13). A first valve system 60 located at a first end of the internal fluid flow path (58) is operable by a pressure differential between a region external of the body (13) and the internal fluid flow path (58). A second valve system (51) is located at second end of the internal fluid flow path. The second valve system (51) is operable by relative movement between the upper body portion (20) and lower body portion (22). One or more openings (56) are provided at an end of the body (13) downstream of the first valve system (60) through which fluid can flow or fluid pressure can be communicated to an apparatus A being transported by the device (10).
A system method and apparatus for determining the disposition or orientation of a structural feature or structural feature present in a borehole core, such as a core sample. The apparatus is provided to capture data on structural features present in the core sample. The apparatus includes an orientation arrangement configured to determine the orientation, or change in orientation, of the apparatus, and a data-capturing arrangement configured to capture orientation data generated by the orientation arrangement. The orientation arrangement may include a gyroscope. The apparatus also includes an alignment arrangement operable to align the apparatus with a structural feature relating to the core sample. The alignment arrangement may include an alignment indicator operable to provide visual indication on the surface of the core sample. The method may include real-time delivery of data from the point of acquisition to cloud-based storage.
A system 10 for acquiring and transferring data pertaining to a borehole core 11 to a data handling system comprises: a hand manipulable device (HMD) 12 having a body 14; a data acquisition system (DAS) or sensor 16 carried or otherwise supported by the body 14 and capable of acquiring data pertaining to the borehole core 11; and a communication system 18 which is capable of transferring the acquired data to a data handling system such as a laptop computer. The HMD includes a traversing mechanism 20 coupled to the body 14. The traversing mechanism 20 is arranged to move relative to the body 14 and the core 11 when: the traversing mechanism 20 is in physical contact with the core 11 or a support, such as a core tray 21, on or in which the core 11 is held; and a force T is applied to the body 12.
G01V 9/00 - Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups
G01B 1/00 - Measuring instruments characterised by the selection of material therefor
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole wallsFormation testingMethods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
6.
A SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING THE DISPOSITION OF STRUCTURAL FEATURES PRESENT IN BOREHOLES
A system method and apparatus for determination of the disposition/orientation of a structural feature or structural feature present in a borehole core, such as a core sample. The apparatus (10) is provided to capturing data on structural features present in the core sample. The apparatus (10) comprises an orientation arrangement configured to determine the orientation, or change in orientation, of the apparatus, and a data-capturing arrangement configured to capture orientation data generated by the orientation arrangement. The orientation arrangement may include a gyroscope. The apparatus (10) also comprises an alignment arrangement operable to align the apparatus with a structural feature relating to the core sample. The alignment arrangement may comprise an alignment indicator operable to provide visual indication on the surface of the core sample. The method may include real-time delivery of data from the point of acquisition to cloud- based storage.
E21B 49/00 - Testing the nature of borehole wallsFormation testingMethods or apparatus for obtaining samples of soil or well fluids, specially adapted to earth drilling or wells
G01V 9/00 - Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups
7.
IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO DOWN HOLE SURVEYING
In one aspect, there is disclosed an apparatus for indexing a device about an indexing axis, the apparatus comprising an indexing drive mechanism comprising a drive portion configured in driving engagement with a driven member for indexing the device about the indexing axis. The driven member is arranged in operable association with an assembly comprising at least one resilient element arranged so as to be capable of transitioning to/from a state of bias such that exposure of the device to any undesirable physical forces is reduced to at least some extent.
E21B 47/01 - Devices for supporting measuring instruments on drill bits, pipes, rods or wirelinesProtecting measuring instruments in boreholes against heat, shock, pressure or the like
A navigation device (16) for surveying and directing a borehole (15) comprises: a first gyro (2) including a first sensitive axis (5) and a second sensitive axis (6); a second gyro (4) including at least a third sensitive axis (7); and a driving unit (9) configured to orient the second gyro (4) in a first mode in a first position in which an earth acceleration (g) dependent error on the second gyro (4) is insignificant and to orient the second gyro (4) in a second mode in a second position in which the third sensitive axis (7) is perpendicular to the first sensitive axis (5) and perpendicular to the second sensitive axis (6).
E21B 47/022 - Determining slope or direction of the borehole, e.g. using geomagnetism
G01C 21/16 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups by using measurement of speed or acceleration executed aboard the object being navigatedDead reckoning by integrating acceleration or speed, i.e. inertial navigation
G01C 21/18 - Stabilised platforms, e.g. by gyroscope
An apparatus (11) for treating drilling fluid used in a diamond drilling operation to remove solids therefrom and thereby control the solids content of the drilling fluid. The apparatus is also arranged to introduce additives into the drilling fluid. The apparatus (11) is configured as a unit (13) which is adapted to be transported to the site of the drilling operation. The apparatus (11) has a support structure (15) which carries a tank system (33) comprising first, second and third (41, 42 and 43) and a decanting centrifuge (71) for separating drilling fluid into a solids component and a liquid component with the liquid component being discharged into the first tank (41) The apparatus (11) also has a separator (73) for performing an optional preliminary separation process on the drilling fluid and discharging the separated drilling fluid into the second tank (42). The apparatus (11) is operable in first and second modes, wherein in the first mode drilling fluid for treatment is delivered to the decanting centrifuge (71) and bypasses the mechanical separator (73), and wherein in the second mode drilling fluid for treatment is delivered to the mechanical separator (73) and discharged into the second tank (42) from where it is transferred to the decanting centrifuge (71).
E21B 21/06 - Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
B04B 1/20 - Centrifuges with rotary bowls provided with solid jackets for separating predominantly liquid mixtures with or without solid particles discharging solid particles from the bowl by a conveying screw coaxial with the bowl axis and rotating relatively to the bowl
An apparatus for use in a downhole survey in conjunction with core sampling comprises a body adapted to receive a downhole surveying instrument, whereby the downhole surveying instrument can be conveyed along a borehole with the apparatus and operated in the borehole.
patents
