Abstract: Coring tools configured to procure core samples of earth formations may include a coring bit comprising a cutting structure configured to cut a core sample and an outer barrel connected to the coring bit. The outer barrel may be configured to apply axial and rotational force to the coring bit. An inner barrel may be located within the outer barrel and may be configured to receive a core sample within the inner barrel. A sponge material may line an inner surface of the inner barrel and may be configured to absorb a fluid from the core sample. A stabilizer may be connected to the outer barrel. At least one blade of the stabilizer may be rotatable with respect to the outer barrel and may be configured to remain at least substantially rotationally stationary relative to the earth formation during coring.

Abstract: A coring bit for use on a coring tool for extracting a sample of subterranean formation from a well bore includes a bit body having a cavity, wherein a throat portion of the cavity extends into the bit body from a face of the bit body. The coring bit includes a sleeve disposed within the cavity of the bit body, the sleeve configured to separate a face discharge channel and a throat discharge channel. The face discharge channel is located radially outward of the sleeve and the throat discharge channel is located radially inward of the sleeve. A method of repairing a such a coring includes removing the sleeve from the cavity of a bit body.

Abstract: A liner tube for a core barrel assembly includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve having an inner surface configured to be coupled to a layer of material that is configured to absorb or adsorb formation fluids or parts of formation fluids. At every longitudinal location of the sleeve with respect to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve, a transverse cross-section of a wall of the sleeve may include at least one gap extending radially through the entire wall of the sleeve, such that the at least one gap separates a portion of the sleeve wall on one circumferential side of the at least one gap from another portion of the sleeve wall on an opposite circumferential side of the at least one gap. The sleeve has flexibility in a circumferential direction greater than that of a sleeve without a gap extending radially through an entire wall of the sleeve at a transverse cross-section of the sleeve at every longitudinal location of the sleeve.

Abstract: Activation modules for selectively sealing entrances to inner barrels of coring tools may include an activator body sized and configured to obstruct the entrance to the inner barrel when the activation module is in a first state and to release the entrance to the inner barrel when the activation module is in a second state. A sealing element may be located at a periphery of the activator body, and may be configured to form a seal between at least a portion of an interior of the inner barrel and at least a portion of an exterior of the inner barrel when the activation module is in the first state and to disengage the seal when the activation module is in the second state.

Abstract: Coring tools configured to procure core samples of earth formations may include a coring bit comprising a cutting structure configured to cut a core sample and an outer barrel connected to the coring bit. The outer barrel may be configured to apply axial and rotational force to the coring bit. An inner barrel may be located within the outer barrel and may be configured to receive a core sample within the inner barrel. A sponge material may line an inner surface of the inner barrel and may be configured to absorb a fluid from the core sample. A stabilizer may be connected to the outer barrel. At least one blade of the stabilizer may be rotatable with respect to the outer barrel and may be configured to remain at least substantially rotationally stationary relative to the earth formation during coring.

Abstract: An ECM method involves the use of a thin hollow electrode assembly that carries the electrolyte within and that is advanced relatively to the workpiece. The small profile of the electrode results in a minimal removal of metal in forming the desired rotor or stator shape. The electrode profile allows significant power consumption reduction or increased machining speed for a given rate of power input. The electrode can be a unitary ring shape or can be made of segments that are placed adjacent each other so that a continuous shape is cut. Not all the lobes of the stator or rotor have to be cut in the same pass. Electrode segments can be used to sequentially provide the desired lobe count in separate passes. The lobe shapes in the electrode can be slanted to get the desired rotor or stator pitch or they can be aligned with the workpiece axis.

Abstract: A coring bit for extracting a sample of subterranean formation material from a well bore may include a bit body having a bit face and an inner surface defining a substantially cylindrical cavity of the bit body. A first portion of the inner surface may be configured to surround a core catcher. The coring bit may include a face discharge channel inlet formed in the inner surface of the bit body longitudinally at or above the first portion of the inner surface. The coring bit may also include a face discharge channel extending through the bit body from the face discharge channel inlet to the bit face. A tubular body having a core catcher may be disposed in the coring bit to form a coring tool. Methods of forming such bit bodies may include forming an inlet for a face discharge channel in the inner surface of the bit body at a location longitudinally at or above the first portion of the inner surface and forming a face discharge channel extending from the inlet to the bit face.

Abstract: A core sample catcher for a coring tool includes at least one flap catcher member movably coupled to an inner barrel of the coring tool. The at least one flap catcher member is configured to move between a first position and a second position. A passageway extending through the inner barrel is at least substantially un-occluded by the at least one flap catcher member in the first position and at least partially occluded by the at least one flap catcher member in the second position. The core sample catcher also includes a piston member located and configured to retain the at least one flap catcher member in the first position. The piston member is sized and configured to release the at least one flap catcher member as the piston is forced upward within the inner barrel by the core sample. Components are provided and assembled to form core sample catchers.

Abstract: Core jam indicators for use with coring tools include a plug coupled with an inner barrel and configured to selectively close the entrance of the inner barrel. The plug has at least one fluid port extending through a wall of the plug between an interior and an exterior of the plug. The mandrel at least partially covers the at least one fluid port of the plug in an activated position and the at least one fluid port is at least partially uncovered by the mandrel in a deactivated position. The mandrel is coupled to the inner barrel. A piston force acting on the mandrel resulting from a pressure difference above and below the mandrel acts over an area smaller than a maximum transverse cross-sectional area of the inner barrel. Coring tools include such core jam indicators. Components are provided and assembled to form such core jam indicators.

Abstract: Methods of compensating pressure differences between interiors and exteriors of inner barrels of coring tools may involve advancing a coring tool into a wellbore, the coring tool comprising an inner barrel for receiving a core sample cut by the coring tool, a first fluid being sealed within the inner barrel. A second fluid may flow along an exterior of the inner barrel. A pressure difference between the first fluid and the second fluid may be reduced. A volume occupied by the first fluid may be compressed by moving a compensating member. The volume occupied by the first fluid may be expanded by moving the compensating member.

Abstract: Methods of procuring a core sample may involve engaging an earth formation with a cutting structure of a coring bit. A core sample may be received within a receptacle connected to the coring bit, the receptacle being lined with a sponge material. A space of about 1 mm or less may be maintained between the core sample and the sponge material. Coring tools may include a coring bit comprising an inner gage and an outer gage and a sponge material positioned to at least partially surround a core sample cut by the coring bit. A radial distance between an inner surface of the sponge material and the inner gage of the coring bit may be about 1 mm or less. A distance between a center of curvature of the inner gage and a center of curvature of the outer gage may be about 0.3 mm or less.

Abstract: A coring apparatus is provided, which apparatus, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a rotatable member coupled to a drill bit configured to drill a core from a formation, a substantially non-rotatable member in the rotatable member configured to receive the core from the formation, and a sensor configured to provide signals relating to rotation between the rotatable member and the substantially non-rotatable member during drilling of the core from the formation, and a circuit configured to process the signals from the sensor to estimate rotation between the rotatable member and the non-rotatable member.

Abstract: A coring apparatus is provided, which apparatus, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a rotatable member coupled to a drill bit configured to drill a core from a formation, a substantially non-rotatable member in the rotatable member configured to receive the core from the formation, and a sensor configured to provide signals relating to rotation between the rotatable member and the substantially non-rotatable member during drilling of the core from the formation, and a circuit configured to process the signals from the sensor to estimate rotation between the rotatable member and the non-rotatable member.