Abstract: A core catcher includes a housing having an inner wall that defines an axial bore through the housing. A retention member is disposed within the housing and is coupled to a first hinge tab that defines a first hinge barrel with the inner wall of the housing. A first closure member has a slot that is engaged with the first hinge tab and a pivot edge that is at least partially disposed within the first hinge barrel. In an open position, the first closure member is disposed in an annulus between a sleeve that is slidably disposed within the housing and the housing. In a closed position the first closure member is disposed at least partially across the axial bore of the housing.

Abstract: A core catcher includes a housing having an inner wall that defines an axial bore through the housing. A retention member is disposed within the housing and is coupled to a first hinge tab that defines a first hinge barrel with the inner wall of the housing. A first closure member has a slot that is engaged with the first hinge tab and a pivot edge that is at least partially disposed within the first hinge barrel. In an open position, the first closure member is disposed in an annulus between a sleeve that is slidably disposed within the housing and the housing. In a closed position the first closure member is disposed at least partially across the axial bore of the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coring tubular. The coring tubular has a body, at least one opening hole radially oriented in the tubular body and a parting line in the tubular body. Further disclosed herein is a method for reducing contamination of a core sample. The method includes installing a coring tubular having features set forth in the foregoing paragraph in a coring tubular, running the tubular to obtain a sample and retrieving the bore by prying the tubular open at an opening hole along the parting line.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coring tubular. The coring tubular has a body, at least one opening hole radially oriented in the tubular body and a parting line in the tubular body. Further disclosed herein is a method for reducing contamination of a core sample. The method includes installing a coring tubular having features set forth in the foregoing paragraph in a coring tubular, running the tubular to obtain a sample and retrieving the bore by prying the tubular open at an opening hole along the parting line.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for preventing fluid access to an inner tube of a core barrel assembly is disclosed in which the closure mechanism is configured to move from an open, or unoccluded, condition to an occluded condition in response to increased fluid flow rates and pressure differentials occurring at the closure mechanism. The closure mechanism is also configured to maintain occlusion of the inner tube under substantially all types of drilling conditions, and particularly those where conventional closure mechanisms may fail, such as in horizontal drilling. The closure mechanism generally includes a conduit structure associated with the inner tube, and having a seat, an occlusion structure, such as a ball, and releasing structure which maintains the occlusion structure in spaced relationship to the seat until increasing pressure differentials result in release of the occlusion structure to register with the seat.