Downhole Coring Tool Sidewall Drilling Orientation Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downhole coring tools face challenges in efficiently acquiring and analyzing multiple core samples from subterranean formations while maintaining the integrity of the samples for subsequent analysis, particularly in preserving the original orientation and position data of the core samples during extraction and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
The downhole coring tool incorporates a sidewall drill subassembly, core analysis subassembly, and core storage subassembly, equipped with a geophysical-property measuring unit and a coring apparatus with a static sleeve featuring protrusions to mark the core samples, allowing for multiple sample acquisition and storage, and includes a system for indicating the original orientation of core samples through various methods such as angle extension and fracture plane analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple core samples are acquired from subterranean formations, then productivity and quantity of samples increase, but maintaining original orientation and position data becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by marking core samples with protrusions and recording orientation data before extraction. The static sleeve with protrusions marks each sample's original position and orientation in the formation before the sample is retrieved, ensuring this information is preserved in advance during the coring operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary marking system using protrusions on a static sleeve that transfer orientation information to the core samples. These protrusions act as physical mediators that encode the original spatial orientation and position data onto the samples during extraction, preventing information loss.
2Productivity
If core samples are extracted and retrieved from the formation, then productivity increases, but integrity and original orientation of samples may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary marking actions using protrusions on the static sleeve before sample extraction. This preliminary action encodes orientation information onto the samples during the extraction process itself, ensuring integrity is maintained while achieving productive retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses protrusions as visual/physical markers on the core samples that indicate their original orientation and position. These markers serve as permanent indicators that preserve sample integrity and orientation data throughout the retrieval and analysis process.
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole coring tool conveyable within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole coring tool comprises a housing, a hollow coring bit extendable from the housing, a first motor operable to rotate the coring bit, and a second motor operable to extend the coring bit into the subterranean formation through a sidewall of the borehole in a direction not substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the borehole proximate the downhole coring tool. A static sleeve disposed in but rotationally independent of the coring bit receives a portion of a core sample of the formation resulting from extension of the coring bit into the formation. The static sleeve comprises a protrusion extending radially inward toward the core sample sufficiently to mark the core sample.