Abstract: An automated batch sampling drilling mud management system (1) includes a portable mud measurement system (10) and a communications system (120). The portable mud measurement system (10) has one or more measurement devices (14) arranged to measure at least one property and/or characteristic of drilling mud; and a pumping system (16) arranged to pump a batch sample of drilling mud from a supply of drilling mud to the one or more measurement devices. The pumping system (16) is also able to subsequently flush the batch sample of drilling mud from the one or more measurement devices (14). The communications system (120) enables bidirectional communications between the mud management system (10) and a remote location to enable transfer of data therebetween and the exertion of control from the remote location to the mud management system (10).

Abstract: A device for transport of an apparatus along a conduit or bore hole including a drill string. The device has a body having a coupled upper body portion and a lower body portion movable axially relative to each other. A fluid flow path in the body selectively enables fluid to flow through the body. A first valve system at a first end of the internal fluid flow path 58 is operable by a pressure differential between a region external of the body and the fluid flow path. A second valve system at a second end of the internal fluid flow path is operable by relative movement between the upper body portion and lower body portion. The body has one or more openings downstream of the first valve system through which fluid can flow or fluid pressure can be communicated to the apparatus.

Abstract: A system (10) delivers of a flowable substance S to a remote location through a conduit (144). The system (10) has a body 12 with first and second portions (14,16) and at least two plugs (P1, P2) associated with the body (12) so that in a first configuration the plugs (P1, P2) are spaced apart and form a sealed region (20) for holding a volume of the substance S, and, in a second configuration at least the second plug (P2) is disposed in the second portion wherein the substance S can flow in a downstream direction past or through the second plug and out of the body (12).

Abstract: 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).

Abstract: A core orientation device for a core drill. The device includes an arrangement for providing signals associated with a physical orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core sample is extracted. Signals are processed so as to provide processed data from which a measure of the physical orientation of the core sample can be established. The measure is associated with the physical orientation of an inner tube of the device at a particular moment in time when the core sample was separated from the body of material. To this end there is provided an interface permitting storage of the processed data in the memory and accessing the memory to provide the measure of the physical orientation of core sample when required.