Abstract: A contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample held in the core tube having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube. An instrument guide is coupled to the end of the core tube from which the core face is accessible with an axis of the guide parallel to the core axis. Correlation information is generated between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system. The instrument acts as the record carrier or generates the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.

Abstract: A contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample held in the core tube having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube. An instrument guide is coupled to the end of the core tube from which the core face is accessible with an axis of the guide parallel to the core axis. Correlation information is generated between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system. The instrument acts as the record carrier or generates the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (50) of enabling the acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip in a core drill (12) having a drill string (18) and an inner core barrel assembly (16). The method uses a borehole survey tool 14 that is arranged to at least log its position in three-dimensional space. The borehole survey tool (14) is run down the drill string (12) in which the inner core barrel assembly (16) is installed. The inner core barrel assembly (16) is arranged to either provide or facilitate detection of an indication of tool face of a core sample (24) held in the inner core barrel assembly (16). The indication of tool face is then transferred mechanically or electronically to the visiting borehole survey tool (14).

Abstract: A system 10 and method 50 of enabling the acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip in a core drill 12 having a drill string 18 and an inner core barrel assembly 16. The method uses a borehole survey tool 14 that is arranged to at least log its position in three-dimensional space. The borehole survey tool 14 is run down the drill string 12 in which the inner core barrel assembly 16 is installed. The inner core barrel assembly 16 is arranged to either provide or facilitate detection of an indication of tool face of a core sample 24 held in the inner core barrel assembly 16. The indication of tool face is then transferred mechanically or electronically to the visiting borehole survey tool 14.

Abstract: A contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample held in the core tube having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube. An instrument guide is coupled to the end of the core tube from which the core face is accessible with an axis of the guide parallel to the core axis. Correlation information is generated between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system. The instrument acts as the record carrier or generates the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.

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 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 method and apparatus of enabling at surface orientation data transfer having a contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample held in the core tube, the core sample having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube. An instrument guide is coupled to the end of the core tube from which the core face is accessible so that an axis of the guide is parallel to the core axis. Correlation information is generated between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide or an instrument supported by the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system. The instrument is used or operated to act as the record carrier; or generate the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.

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 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 method (100) of enabling at surface orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system (11) coupled with an inner core tube (12) to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample (14) held in the core tube, the core sample (14) having a longitudinal core axis (16) and a core face 18 accessible from an end of the inner core tube (14), involves three broad steps. A first step is to couple an instrument guide (20) to the end of the core tube (12) from which the core face (18) is accessible so that an axis (26) of the guide is parallel to the core axis (16). A second step is to generate correlation information between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide (20) or an instrument (28a) supported by the instrument guide (20) about the guide axis (26) and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system (11).

Abstract: A system (10) and method (50) of enabling the acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip in a core drill (12) having a drill string (18) and an inner core barrel assembly (16). The method uses a borehole survey tool 14 that is arranged to at least log its position in three-dimensional space. The borehole survey tool (14) is nm down the drill string (12) in which the inner core barrel assembly (16) is installed. The inner core barrel assembly (16) is arranged to either provide or facilitate detection of an indication of tool face of a core sample (24) held in the inner core barrel assembly (16). The indication of tool face is then transferred mechanically or electronically to the visiting borehole survey tool (14).

Abstract: A spear head assembly includes a spear point having a proximal end and an opposite pointed end. A sleeve has an axial passage and a first end from which the spear point extends, the spear point coupled to the sleeve wherein the spear point can pivot relative to the sleeve and move axially relative to the sleeve. The first end of the sleeve has a smooth continuous abutment surface for the spear point, and the abutment surface forms a funnel like structure which reduces in inner diameter in a direction inward of the sleeve, with the funnel like structure extending between an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A spear head assembly includes a spear point having a proximal end and an opposite pointed end. A sleeve has an axial passage and a first end from which the spear point extends, the spear point coupled to the sleeve wherein the spear point can pivot relative to the sleeve and move axially relative to the sleeve. The first end of the sleeve has a smooth continuous abutment surface for the spear point, and the abutment surface forms a funnel like structure which reduces in inner diameter in a direction inward of the sleeve, with the funnel like structure extending between an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A latching system has a latch body, a latch carrier and two latch dogs. The latch dogs are retained in the latch carrier by two pins. The latch carrier is located within the latch body. The latch body has slots through which the latch dogs can extend. The pins pass through both latch dogs and through longitudinal slots in the latch carrier. The pins are fixed at their opposite ends to the latch body. When the latch carrier is moved axially the latch dogs move parallel to each other between: a latching position where the latch dogs extend from the latch body and latch carrier and can engage a latching mechanism; and a release position where the latch dogs retract inwardly.

Abstract: A core orientation head (12) comprises a substantially cylindrical body (28) having a first end (30) and an opposite end (34). A core face profile recording system (41) is carried by the body (28) to record a profile of the face of a core cut by a core drill in which the orientation head (12) is disposed. The system (41) comprises a plurality of pins (42) housed with an interference fit inside respective axially extending holes (38) provided in the body (28). A bearing scale (48) is marked on an outer circumferential surface 50 of the body (28). A cap (74) is demountably connectable to either of the ends (30) and (34). When connected to the end (30), the caps (74) protects the system (41). The caps (74) is also provided with a vernier scale (110) which, when the cap (74) is connected to the end (34), co-operates with the bearing scale (48) to facilitate marking of the core sample (46).

Abstract: A head assembly includes a spear head assembly and a latching system which are coupled together. The spearhead assembly includes a spear point having a proximal end pivotally coupled about a pivot axis and a sleeve that is biased in a direction toward a pointed end of the spear point. The sleeve is coupled with the spear point so that the spear point and the pivot axis can move axially relative to the sleeve. The latching system includes a latch body and two latch dogs which are coupled to the latch body and movable between a latching position where the latch dogs extend from the latch body and can engage a latching mechanism, and a release position where the latch dogs retract inwardly. The latching system is configured to enable the latch dogs to move parallel to each other rather than pivot when moving between the latch and release positions. The spear head assembly enables the head assembly to be coupled to an overshot to enable tripping through a drill string.

Abstract: A spearhead assembly (10) comprises a base (12) having an outer surface (14), a slot (16), a spear point (18) and a guard (20). The slot (16) is formed in the base (12) and has an opening (22) that opens onto the outer surface (14). A proximal end of the spear point (18) is located in the slot (16) and pivotally coupled about a pivot axis (26) to the base (12). The spear point (18) can pivot about axis (26) between two positions that are angularly spaced by 180°. The guard (20) is coupled to the proximal end of the spear point (18) and configured to at least partially occupy the opening (22) when the spear point is in a location at or between the two spaced apart positions. The guard (20) acts to minimise the risk of an operator's hand or glove worn by the operator from being pinched or caught in the slot (16) between the spear point (13) and base (12) as the spear point (18) is pivoted between the two positions.