Abstract: A method and an apparatus for taking a sample representative of the fluid present in a well comprises an elongated body, suitable for being suspended down the well at the end of a cable. The body includes a removable sampling vessel fixed sideways in a recessed portion of the body which vessel is capable of being used, after being filled downhole, as a vessel for transporting the sample under pressure.

Abstract: A well coring apparatus (10) includes an outer barrel (12) and an inner barrel (18). A hollow sponge (50) is disposed along a liner (52) for insertion into the inner barrel (18). The sponge (50) is operable to absorb subterranean fluid from a well core (54). A plurality of reinforcing members (56) are disposed on the inner surface of the liner (52) to prevent movement of the sponge (50) with respect thereto. A plurality of orifices (58) are disposed in the surface of the liner (52) to allow gas and/or fluid to escape from the interior thereof when the subterranean fluid contained within the core (54) bleeds into the sponge (50).

Abstract: A well coring apparatus (10) includes an outer barrel (12) and an inner barrel (18). The inner barrel (18) is sealed with a rupturable diaphragm (24) and a check valve (49). A sponge (50) is disposed around the inner walls of the inner barrel (18) for contacting the core (58). A fluid (54) is disposed in the sealed inner barrel (18) to prewet the sponge (50). A piercer (32) is reciprocally disposed within the outer barrel (12) and has a conical shaped surface (38), the apex of which is operable to pierce the diaphragm (24). In response to forming of the core (58), the fluid (54) displaced by the core (58) prevents drilling mud from being disposed between the core (58) and the sponge (50).

Abstract: This relates to a pressure coring tool to obtain pressurized samples of the formation through which the wellbore is drilled. It includes a housing which supports a guide means along which the drill bit, core barrel and motor can be moved to extend or retract the cutting bit and core barrel along a selected path which preferably is horizontal. The core barrel is retracted inwardly on a horizontal path and tilted in an upward position such as the outer end of the core barrel is higher than the end near the barrel. Means are provided to pressure seal the cut core within the core barrel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a balanced, pressurized core sample from an underpressurized geological reservoir formation. A pressure core sampling well is drilled to a preselected depth and the bottom hole reservoir pressure therein is determined. A computer is programmed to compute predicted bottom hole foam pressures at the bottom of the well produced by a stable foam coring fluid, having a preselected composition, which is introduced into the well under preselected control pressures. Measurements are than made of actual bottom hole foam pressures at the bottom of the well produced by the foam when it is introduced into the well at preselected control pressures and under core sample drilling conditions. A comparison is made between the measured bottom hole foam pressures and the computer predicted bottom hole foam pressures to derive a correlation function and to select a correlated core pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for obtaining a core at in situ pressure of sedimentary deposits at the bottom of a well bore or body of water. The core barrel has a pressure chamber that is closed and opened by a ball valve actuated from the surface. When in position above the sedimentary deposits to be cored, a sample tube is extended from the pressure chamber into the sedimentary deposits to obtain a core. The sample tube is retracted into the pressure chamber and the valve closed to trap ambient pressure in the chamber. The sample tube and valve are operated from the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for obtaining oil and water saturation data from subterranean formations includes a drill bit (12) for boring a well core (26) containing the fluids. A core-catcher bowl (18) guides the well core (26) in the apparatus (10). An outer barrel (14) is attached to the drill bit (12) and contains the core-catcher (18). An inner liner (20) positioned in the outer barrel (14) receives the well core (26). An oil absorbent sponge-like member (22) is contained in the inner liner (20) with a diameter (24) for receiving the well core (26). The oil absorbent sponge-like member (22) absorbs the fluids contained in the well core (26).

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting subterranean gas samples including an elongated stiff rod having a gas passageway from near the bottom end to near the top end, a means for driving the rod into the earth whereby the lower end is positioned below the earth's surface, a means to selectably open and close the gas passageway so that the passageway may be closed until the rod lower end is driven beneath the earth's surface after which the passageway may be opened, and means adjacent the upper end of the rod for extracting a gas sample from the passageway.

Abstract: Core barrel apparatus for obtaining and retrieving sealed core samples of subterranean formations are disclosed. The core barrel comprises a sample chamber for receiving a core sample as it is formed at the bottom of a bore hole and an expansion chamber for receiving sample fluids. The expansion chamber comprises a cylinder having a movable sealing member therein adapted to movably seal the expansion chamber. The volume of the expansion chamber is determined by the position of the sealing member in the cylinder, movement of the sealing member changing the volume of the expansion chamber. The sample chamber and expansion chamber are selectively connected to one another by means of a seal therebetween. The expansion chamber is sealed closed by the sealing member at one end and said seal at the other end while the sample is being cut and received within the sample chamber. Thereafter, the lower portion of the sample chamber is sealed by a flap-valve and the expansion chamber is opened to the sample chamber.

Abstract: Coring apparatus for obtaining core samples which may comprise: an outer barrel assembly, the lower end of which is adapted for connection to a core bit, the upper end of which is adapted for connection to a drill string; an inner barrel assembly concentrically disposed within the outer barrel assembly and having first and second axially spaced and fluid communicating chambers therein; and valve means carried by the inner barrel assembly and movable from an open position, in which a core sample may be received by the first chamber, to a closed position, sealingly enclosing the core sample within the first chamber.

Abstract: Core barrel apparatus and a method for obtaining and retrieving sealed core samples of subterranean formations are disclosed. The core barrel apparatus comprises inner and outer core barrels. The upper portion of the outer core barrel is adapted to be connected to a drill string. A core bit for cutting a core sample is mounted on the lower portion of the outer core barrels. The inner core barrel comprises a sample chamber for receiving a core sample as it is formed at the bottom of a bore hole and an expansion chamber for receiving sample fluids. The sample chamber and expansion chamber are selectively connected to one another. The expansion chamber is sealed closed while the sample is being cut and received within the sample chamber. The lower portion of the sample chamber adjacent the core bit is sealed by a flap-valve which includes a flexible flap member.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for stabilizing oil well cores taken within rubber sleeve core barrels is provided wherein an unconsolidated and friable columnar mass of earth may be handled without altering the characteristics of its physical structure. A housing is therein provided for receiving a conventional rubber sleeved core sample from a vertically suspended core barrel inside a drilling rig. The housing is adapted for the positioning of the ensleeved core therein and the circulation therearound of a subfreezing mass for the freezing and solidification of the core fluids contained therethrough. Freezing of the core fluids immobilizes rock grains and the like, stabilizing the core sample for handling and second stage stabilization through rigid encasement in a casting medium. The casted core may then be handled in a conventional manner during transportation for subsequent analysis in its original condition.