Patent Grant
10597963
The present disclosure, in various embodiments, relates generally to core catchers for coring tools and methods of forming the core catcher. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to core catchers including features configured to couple axial and/or radial movement of a sleeve of the core catcher and to inhibit distortion of the core catcher that may result in loss of a core of subterranean formation material therefrom.
Formation coring is a well-known process in the oil and gas industry. In conventional coring operations, a core barrel assembly is used to cut a core from the subterranean formation and to transport the core to the surface for analysis. Analysis of the core can reveal invaluable data concerning subsurface geological formations—including parameters such as permeability, porosity, and fluid saturation—that are useful in the exploration for and production of petroleum, natural gas, and minerals. Such data may also be useful for construction site evaluation and in quarrying operations.
A conventional core barrel assembly typically includes an outer barrel having, at a bottom end, a core bit adapted to cut the core and to receive the core in a central opening, or throat. The opposing end of the outer barrel is attached to the end of a drill string, which conventionally comprises a plurality of tubular sections, that extends to the surface. An inner barrel assembly having an inner tube configured for retaining the core is located within and releasably attached to the outer barrel. The inner barrel assembly further includes a core shoe disposed at one end of the inner tube adjacent the throat of the core bit. The core shoe is configured to receive the core as it enters the throat and to guide the core into the inner tube. Both the inner tube and core shoe are suspended within the outer barrel with structure permitting the core bit and outer barrel to rotate freely with respect to the inner tube and core shoe, which may remain substantially rotationally stationary or which may rotate limitedly due to frictional forces. Thus, as the core is cut—by application of weight to the core bit through the outer barrel and drill string in conjunction with rotation of these components—the core will traverse the throat of the core bit to eventually reach the substantially rotationally stationary core shoe, which accepts the core and guides it into the inner tube assembly where the core is retained until transported to the surface for examination.
Conventional core bits are generally comprised of a bit body having a face surface on a bottom end. The opposing end of the core bit is configured, as by threads, for connection to the outer barrel. Located at the center of the face surface is the throat, which extends into a hollow cylindrical cavity formed in the bit body. The face surface includes a plurality of cutters arranged in a selected pattern. The pattern of cutters includes at least one outside gage cutter disposed near the periphery of the face surface that determines the diameter of the bore hole drilled in the formation. The pattern of cutters also includes at least one inside gage cutter disposed near the throat that determines the outside diameter of the core being cut.
During coring operations, a drilling fluid is usually circulated through the core barrel assembly to lubricate and cool the plurality of cutters disposed on the face surface of the core bit and to remove formation cuttings from the bit face surface to be transported upwardly to the surface through the annulus defined between the drill string and the wall of the well bore. A typical drilling fluid, also termed drilling “mud,” may be a hydrocarbon or water base in which fine-grained mineral matter is suspended. The core bit includes one or more ports or nozzles positioned to deliver drilling fluid to the face surface. Generally, a port includes a port outlet, or “face discharge outlet,” which may optionally comprise a nozzle, at the face surface in fluid communication with a face discharge channel. The face discharge channel extends through the bit body and terminates at a face discharge channel inlet. Each face discharge channel inlet is in fluid communication with an upper annular region formed between the bit body and the inner tube and core shoe. Drilling fluid received from the drill string under pressure is circulated into the upper annular region to the face discharge channel inlet of each face discharge channel to draw drilling fluid from the upper annular region. Drilling fluid then flows through each face discharge channel and discharges at its associated face discharge port to lubricate and cool the plurality of cutters on the face surface and to remove formation cuttings as noted above. Drilling fluid may also be circulated through the through of the coring bit or through other discharge channels, ports, and nozzles that may be provided at the core bit.
Also during the coring operations, debris, generally in the form of formation cuttings separate from the core, may enter the through of the coring bit and may be transported upwardly toward the core shoe. Accordingly, when the core is cut and traverses upwardly through the throat of the coring bit toward the core barrel assembly, the core may push debris between the core catcher and the core shoe. Consequently, the debris in combination with the upward motion of the core may cause a portion of the core catcher to deform such that the core catcher may pass into the inner barrel assembly in which it is intended to retain the core. Such deformation may result in failure of the core catcher and the coring operations.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a core catcher for a coring tool comprises a sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis and at least one slit extending at least partially along a height of the sleeve between an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one slit separates a first side surface and a second side surface of the sleeve. The first side surface is located a first distance from the longitudinal axis, and the second side surface is located a second distance from the longitudinal axis. Each of the first distance and the second distance is measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The core catcher further comprises a bridging element extending at least partially about a perimeter of the sleeve. The bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface to limit a difference between the first distance and the second distance as a width of the at least one slit that separates the first side surface and the second side surface increases or decreases.
In other embodiments, a coring tool for extracting a sample of subterranean formation from a wellbore comprises a tube having a central bore configured to receive a sample of the subterranean formation. The coring tool further comprises a core catcher housed within the central bore of the tube. The core catcher comprises a sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis and at least one slit extending at least partially along a height of the sleeve between an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one slit separates a first side surface and a second side surface of the sleeve. The first side surface is located a first distance from the longitudinal axis, and the second side surface is located a second distance from the longitudinal axis. Each of the first distance and the second distance is measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The core catcher further comprises a bridging element extending at least partially about a perimeter of the sleeve. The bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface to limit a difference between the first distance and the second distance as a width of the at least one slit that separates the first side surface and the second side surface increases or decreases.
In yet other embodiments, a method of cutting a core of subterranean formation material from a subterranean formation comprises receiving the core in a core catcher. The core catcher comprises a sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis and at least one slit extending at least partially along a height of the sleeve between an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one slit separates a first side surface and a second side surface of the sleeve. The first side surface is located a first distance from the longitudinal axis and the second side surface is located a second distance from the longitudinal axis. Each of the first distance and the second distance is measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The core catcher further comprises a bridging element extending at least partially about a perimeter of the sleeve. The method further comprises receiving the core catcher having the core therein within a central bore of a core shoe such that a width of the at least one slit that separates the first side surface and the second side surface is reduced while maintaining a difference between the first distance and the second distance at substantially zero.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular coring tool, core catcher, or any component of such coring tools and core catchers, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe embodiments of the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
As used herein, directional terms, such as “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “top-most”, “bottom-most,” and the like, are to be interpreted from a reference point of the object so described as such object is located in a vertical wellbore, regardless of the actual orientation of the object so described. For example, the terms “above”, “up”, “upward”, “upper”, “top”, “top-most”, and the like, are synonymous with the term “uphole,” as such term is understood in the art of subterranean wellbore drilling. Similarly, the terms “below”, “down”, “lower”, “downward”, “bottom”, “bottom-most”, and the like are synonymous with the term “downhole,” as such term is understood in the art of subterranean wellbore drilling.
As used herein, the terms “longitudinal”, “longitudinally”, “axial”, or “axially” refers to a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the core barrel assembly or the core catcher described herein. For example, “longitudinal” or “axial” movement shall mean movement in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel assembly or the core catcher described herein.
As used herein, the terms “radial” or “radially” refers to a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the core barrel assembly or the core catcher described herein and, more particularly, refers to a direction as it relates to a radius of the core barrel assembly or the core catcher described herein. For example, as described in further detail below, “radial movement” shall mean movement in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the core barrel assembly or the core catcher as described herein.
As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0% met, at least 95.0% met, at least 99.0% met, or even at least 99.9% met.
As used herein, the term “about” in reference to a given parameter is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the given parameter).
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the term “may” with respect to a material, structure, feature, or method act indicates that such is contemplated for use in implementation of an embodiment of the disclosure, and such term is used in preference to the more restrictive term “is” so as to avoid any implication that other compatible materials, structures, features and methods usable in combination therewith should or must be excluded.
The bit body 10 may comprise steel or a steel alloy, including a maraging steel alloy (i.e., an alloy comprising iron alloyed with nickel and secondary alloying elements such as aluminum, titanium and niobium), and may be formed at least in part as further set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,991,471, issued Mar. 31, 2015, to Cheng et al. (hereinafter “Cheng”), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. In other embodiments, the bit body 10 may be an enhanced metal matrix bit body, such as, for example, a pressed and sintered metal matrix bit body as disclosed in one or more of U.S. Pat. No. 7,776,256, issued Aug. 17, 2010, to Smith et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 7,802,495, issued Sep. 28, 2010, to Oxford et al., the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. Such an enhanced metal matrix bit body may comprise hard particles (e.g., ceramics such as oxides, nitrides, carbides, and borides) embedded within a continuous metal alloy matrix phase comprising a relatively high strength metal alloy (e.g., an alloy based on one or more of iron, nickel, cobalt, and titanium). As a non-limiting example, such an enhanced metal matrix bit body may comprise tungsten carbide particles embedded within an iron-, cobalt-, or nickel-based alloy. As a further non-liming example, such an enhanced metal matrix bit body may comprise a ceramic metal composite material including ceramic particles disposed in a continuous metal matrix. However, it is to be appreciated that the bit body 10 may comprise other materials as well, and any bit body material is within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein, including materials formed by rapid prototyping processes.
Removably disposed inside the outer barrel 4 may be an inner barrel assembly 16. The inner barrel assembly 16 may include an inner tube 18 adapted to receive and retain a core for subsequent transportation to the surface. The inner barrel assembly 16 may further include a core shoe (not shown in
Referring to
A core catcher 46 may be carried by the core shoe 42 and may be housed within the central bore 44 of the core shoe 42. The core catcher 46 may be sized and shaped to enable the core 28 to pass through the core catcher 46 when traveling longitudinally upward into the inner tube 18. When the core barrel assembly 2 begins to back out of the well bore, the core 28 may travel longitudinally downward toward the bottom of the borehole due to gravity, due to friction with the borehole, or due to maintain connection of the core 28 with the formation from which it is intended to be removed. The core catcher 46 travels longitudinally downward with the core 28. Further, a portion of the outer surface of the core catcher 46 may interact with a tapered portion 50 of an inner surface 51 of the core shoe 42 to cause the core catcher 46 to constrict around and frictionally engage with the core 28, reducing (e.g., eliminating) the likelihood that the core 28 will exit the inner tube 18 after it has entered therein and enabling the core 28 to be fractured under tension from the formation from which the core 28 has been cut, as the core barrel assembly 2 is lifted away from the bottom of the borehole by the operator. The core 28 may then be retained in the inner tube 18 until the core 28 is transported to the surface for analysis.
An annular space 52 within the core barrel assembly 2 is located between the inner surface 40 of the bit body 10 and outer surfaces 54, 56 of the core shoe 42 and the inner tube 18, respectively. The annular space 52 forms a drilling fluid flow path extending longitudinally through the core barrel assembly 2 from a proximal end of the bit body 10 to the face discharge channel inlets 36. During a coring operation, drilling fluid is circulated under pressure into the annular space 52 such that drilling fluid can flow therefrom to the face surface 12 of the core bit 6.
The sleeve 102 may comprise at least one opening or slit 122 extending at least partially along the height of the core catcher 100 between the lower end 110 and the upper end 112. In some embodiments, as illustrated in
The inner surface 104 of the sleeve 102 frictionally engages and grips the core 28 as it passes through the aperture 114 of the sleeve 102. In some embodiments, the inner surface 104 of the sleeve 102 may be substantially even or smooth. In other embodiments, the inner surface 104 of the sleeve 102 may comprise one or more patterned surfaces 144 as illustrated in the cross-sectional view of
Each patterned surface 144 may be comprised of a plurality of raised structures 146. In some embodiments, the raised structures 146 may be ordered or uniformly organized. In other embodiments, the raised structures 146 may be randomly organized. The patterned surfaces 144 may have a plurality of different shaped raised structures 146. For example, the raised structures 146 may comprise polyhedrons having a sharp or pointed apex, such as the pyramid structures illustrated in
The sleeve 102 may optionally comprise a plurality of openings 128. The openings 128 may extend radially between the inner surface 104 and the outer surface 106 of the sleeve 102. The openings 128 may be spaced circumferentially about the sleeve 102 and axially along the height of the sleeve 102. In
The core catcher 100 may comprise a bridging element 130. The bridging element 130 may be configured to couple radial movement and/or axial movement of portions of the sleeve 102 about the circumference (e.g., perimeter) thereof. In other words, the bridging element 130 is configured to impede independent radial and/or axial movement of portions of the sleeve 102 and, more particularly, independent radial and axial movement of portions of the sleeve 102 adjacent to the slit 122 as described in further detail with respect to
In some embodiments, the bridging element 130 may comprise a crosspiece 132 and a track 134. The crosspiece 132 may comprise a rigid element (e.g., element having a fixed length) configured to slide along the track 134 as the diameter of the core catcher 100 increases and decreases as previously described. The track 134 may be formed on a side of the slit 122 opposite the side of the slit 122 on which the crosspiece 132 is formed. The crosspiece 132 may extend at least partially about the circumference of the outer surface 106 of the sleeve 102 such that the crosspiece 132 extends across the slit 122 and into the track 134. The track 134 may also extend at least partially about the circumference of the outer surface 106 of the sleeve 102.
As illustrated in
The crosspiece 132 is operatively connected to the sleeve 102. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the crosspiece 132 may be coupled (e.g., fixed) to or formed integral with the sleeve 102. The crosspiece 132 may be mechanically fixed to the sleeve 102 such as by screws, clamps, welding, brazing, and the like and/or may be adhesively fixed to the sleeve 102 such as by glue and the like. As illustrated in
With reference to the enlarged cross-sectional view of
With continued reference to
In operation, fluid flow may be provided between the crosspiece 132 and the track 134 through one or more of the openings 128 in the sleeve 102 and the fluid channel 140 (
As described in further detail below, the bridging element 130 extends across the slit 122 to operatively connect the first side surface 124 and the second side surface 126.
Like the crosspiece 132, at least a portion of the crosspiece 204 may be coupled to or formed integral with the sleeve 102. For example, as illustrated in
With reference to the cross-sectional view of
The track 256 may be formed adjacent or proximate to each side of the slit 122 such that the track 256 extends at least partially about the circumference of the sleeve 102 adjacent to the first side surface 124 and adjacent to the second side surface 126. Unlike the crosspiece 132 of
As previously described herein with regards to the embodiments of
Like the crosspiece 132, at least a portion of the crosspiece 304 may be coupled to or formed integral with the sleeve 102. For example, as illustrated in
As best illustrated in the cross-sectional views of
The crosspiece 404 may comprise a flexible or elastic element that may expand and contract in length within the track 406 as the sleeve 102 increases and decreases in diameter. For example, the crosspiece 404 may comprise a spring or a rubber element. In some embodiments, the crosspiece 404 may be uncoupled from the sleeve 102. In such embodiments, the crosspiece 404 may be coupled to itself or formed as a continuous element extending about the sleeve 102. The track 406 may comprise a plurality of openings 408 (
In some embodiments and as illustrated in
As illustrated in
While some of the foregoing embodiments of core catchers comprising a bridging element having a crosspiece extending across one slit 122 formed in the sleeve 102, it is contemplated that any of the foregoing core catchers may comprise a plurality of slits 122 extending at least partially along the height of the sleeve 102 as described herein at least with reference to
In any of the foregoing embodiments of core catchers comprising at least one crosspiece slidably engaged with at least one track, the length of the crosspiece extending within the track may be less than the length of the track. In such embodiments, the track may be greater in length than the portion of the crosspiece extending therein such that a minimum diameter of the core catcher is not limited by contact of a circumferential end of the crosspiece with the end of the track. Similarly, the length of the crosspiece may be sufficient such that a maximum diameter of the core catcher may not be limited by contact of the circumferential end of the crosspiece within the track with the entrance of the track. Rather, the maximum and minimum diameter of the core catcher may be limited by a diameter of the core shoe 42 and, more particular, the minimum and maximum diameter of the tapered portion 50 of the core shoe. In other embodiments, the length of the crosspiece and the length of the track may be sized and configured to limit the maximum and minimum diameter of the core catcher rather than the minimum and maximum diameter of the tapered portion 50 of the core shoe 42 in which the core catcher is housed.
Embodiments of the present disclosure further include methods of forming a core catcher. The core catcher according to any of the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure may be at least partially formed by an additive manufacturing or 3D printing process. In such embodiments, the core catcher may be formed using a system and method as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/085,555, entitled “3D-Printing Systems Configured for Advanced Heat Treatment and Related Methods,” filed on Mar. 30, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. The core catcher according to any of the foregoing embodiments may be at least partially formed by any of the following: rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing, layered manufacturing or 3D-printing such stereolithography (STL), digital light processing (DLP), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), selective laser melting (SLM), electronic beam melting (EBM), and laminated object manufacturing (LOM). The additive manufacturing process may be used to form a core catcher having grid layers to increase flexibility and decrease rigidity of the core catcher. Additive manufacturing may further enable formation of the core catcher without mechanical fasteners, such as screws, clamps, and the like, which may in operation inhibit already limited movement of the core catcher within the confined and limited space provided by the core shoe. Further, one or more surfaces of the core catcher and the core barrel assembly, such as the core barrel, core shoe, or coring barrel, may be provided with abrasion or wear resistant materials, such as a hardfacing material, provided with or surface treated for corrosion resistance, and/or provided with a material for reducing frictional wear between one or more moving features within the coring tool.
In the additive manufacturing process, the core catcher may be formed (e.g., printed) as a unit such that the core catcher may be fabricated in its final or finished form. In other words, the core catcher may be formed without a need to assemble separate elements of the core catcher together. However, the present disclosure is not so limited and, in other embodiments, one or more elements of the core catcher may be separately formed and assembled together to form the core catcher. By way of example and not limitation, the crosspiece of the bridging element and/or the patterned surfaces according to any of the foregoing embodiments may be separately formed and coupled to the sleeve of the core catcher. In yet other embodiments, the core catcher according to any of the foregoing embodiments may be at least partially formed by casting, sintering, molding, and the like and openings and recesses for the track and for fluid flow may be formed by machining, grinding, and the like.
In some embodiments, the core catcher may be formed of an elastically deformable material. For example, the core catcher may comprise an elastically deformable metal or metal alloy, such as an amorphous metal (i.e., metal glass), a ceramic fiber composite material, other synthetic composite materials, or tungsten carbide materials, such as tungsten carbide grit commercially available from CudaGrit of Madisonville, Ky.
While some of the foregoing embodiments of core catchers having wedge-shaped projections in a conical portion of the sleeve located adjacent a lower end of the sleeve, it is contemplated that the conical portion of the sleeve may located elsewhere along a height of the sleeve. For example, the conical portion may be formed intermediately along a height of the sleeve such that the sleeve comprises two discrete cylindrical portions located above and below the conical portion. Further, the conical portion may be formed adjacent an upper surface of the sleeve. It is further contemplated that the sleeve may have another shape that is configured to allow the core 28 to pass therethrough and to interact with the inner surface 51 of the core shoe 42 to cause the core catcher to constrict around and frictionally engage with the core 28, as previously described herein.
While some of the foregoing embodiments of core catchers have been illustrated such that the first side surface 124 and second side surface 126 of the sleeve 102 extend in parallel and axially in a continuous, linear manner between the lower end 110 and upper end 112 of the sleeve 102, it is contemplated that the slit may have any other shape. For example, the slit may extend in parallel and axially in a discontinuous manner, such as a zig-zag or curved manner.
During drilling operations, a suitable drilling fluid 626 from a mud pit (source) 628 may be circulated under pressure through a channel in the drill string 602 by a mud pump 630. The drilling fluid 626 passes from the mud pump 630 into the drill string 602 via a desurger (not shown), fluid line 632, and kelly joint 618. The drilling fluid 626 may be discharged at the borehole bottom 634 through an opening in the drill bit assembly 614, as previously described herein with reference to the core bit 6 of
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the drill bit assembly 614 may be rotated by only rotating the drill pipe 610. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, a downhole motor 640 (mud motor) may be disposed in the drilling assembly 601 to rotate the drill bit assembly 614, and the drill pipe 610 may be rotated usually to supplement the rotational power, if required, and to effect changes in the drilling direction.
The mud motor 640 may be coupled to the drill bit assembly 614 via a drive shaft (not shown) disposed in a bearing assembly 642. The mud motor 640 rotates the drill bit assembly 614 when the drilling fluid 626 passes through the mud motor 640 under pressure. The bearing assembly 642 supports the radial and axial forces of the drill bit assembly 614. A stabilizer 644 coupled to the bearing assembly 642 acts as a centralizer for the lowermost portion of the mud motor assembly.
A drilling sensor module 646 may be placed near the drill bit assembly 614. Drill bit assembly 614 may include one or more of: (i) a drill bit, (ii) a drill bit box, (iii) a drill collar, and (iv) a storage sub. The drilling sensor module 646 may contain sensors, circuitry, and processing software and algorithms relating to the dynamic drilling parameters. Such parameters can include bit bounce, stick-slip of the drilling assembly, backward rotation, torque, shocks, borehole and annulus pressure, acceleration measurements, and other measurements of the drill bit assembly condition. A suitable telemetry or communication sub 648 using, for example, two-way telemetry, may also be provided as illustrated in the drilling assembly 601. The drilling sensor module 646 processes the sensor information and transmits it to the surface control unit 654 via the communication sub 648.
The communication sub 648, a power unit 650, and an MWD tool 652 may all be connected in tandem with the drill string 602. Flex subs, for example, are used in connecting the MWD tool 652 in the drilling assembly 601. Such subs and tools may form the bottom hole drilling assembly 601 between the drill string 602 and the drill bit assembly 614. The drilling assembly 601 may make various measurements including the pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance measurements while the borehole 612 is being drilled. The communication sub 648 obtains the signals and measurements and transfers the signals, using two-way telemetry, for example, to be processed on the surface. Alternatively, the signals can be processed using a downhole processor at a suitable location (not shown) in the drilling assembly 601.
The surface control unit or processor 654 may also receive one or more signals from other downhole sensors and devices and signals from sensors S1-S3 and other sensors used in the system 600 and processes such signals according to programmed instructions provided to surface control unit 654. The surface control unit 654 may display desired drilling parameters and other information on a display/monitor 656 utilized by an operator to control the drilling operations. The surface control unit 654 can include a computer or a microprocessor-based processing system, memory for storing programs or models and data, a recorder for recording data, and other peripherals. The surface control unit 654 can be adapted to activate alarms 658 when certain unsafe or undesirable operating conditions occur.
The apparatus for use with the present disclosure may include one or more downhole processors that may be positioned at any suitable location within or near the bottom hole assembly. The processor(s) may include a microprocessor that uses a computer program implemented on a suitable machine-readable medium that enables the processor to perform the control and processing. The machine-readable medium may include ROMs, EPROMs, EAROMs, EEPROMs, Flash Memories, RAMs, Hard Drives and/or Optical disks. Other equipment such as power and data buses, power supplies, and the like will be apparent to one skilled in the art.
Additional non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure are described below.
A core catcher for a coring tool comprising a sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis and at least one slit extending at least partially along a height of the sleeve between an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one slit separates a first side surface and a second side surface of the sleeve, wherein the first side surface is located a first distance from the longitudinal axis and the second side surface is located a second distance from the longitudinal axis. Each of the first distance and the second distance measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The core catcher also comprises a bridging element extending at least partially about a perimeter of the sleeve. The bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface to limit a difference between the first distance and the second distance as a width of the at least one slit that separates the first side surface and the second side surface increases or decreases.
The core catcher of Embodiment 1, wherein the bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface such that the difference between the first distance and the second distance is less than a thickness of the sleeve as the width of the at least one slit increases or decreases, wherein the thickness measured between an inner surface and an outer surface of the sleeve.
The core catcher of either of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface such that the difference between the first distance and the second distance is substantially zero as the width of the at least one slit increases or decreases.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 3, wherein the bridging element comprises at least one crosspiece extending at least partially about the perimeter of the sleeve and extending at least partially across the at least one slit.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 4, wherein the bridging element further comprises at least one track extending at least partially about the perimeter of the sleeve, and wherein the at least one crosspiece is slidably engaged with the at least one track.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 5, wherein the at least one crosspiece is retained about the core catcher within the at least one track and is movable relative to each of the first side surface and the second side surface.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 6, wherein the at least one track comprises at least one recess and wherein the at least one crosspiece comprises at least one complementary shaped projection extending into the at least one recess to retain the at least one crosspiece within the at least one track.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 7, wherein the at least one crosspiece has a shape that inhibits the crosspiece from being removed from the at least one track.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 8, wherein the bridging element comprises a first crosspiece attached to the sleeve and extending at least partially about the perimeter of the sleeve and at least partially across the at least one slit toward the second side surface and comprises a second crosspiece attached to the sleeve and extending at least partially about the perimeter of the sleeve and at least partially across the at least one slit toward the first side surface, wherein the first crosspiece and the second crosspiece at least partially overlap.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 9, wherein the sleeve further comprises a plurality of openings extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface of the sleeve.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 10, wherein the at least one crosspiece comprises at least one of an elastic element, a spring, and a telescoping element.
The core catcher of any of Embodiments 1 through 11, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the bridging element comprises an additive manufactured structure.
A coring tool for extracting a core of subterranean formation from a wellbore comprising a tube having a central bore configured to receive the sample of the subterranean formation and a core catcher housed within the central bore of the tube. The core catcher comprises a sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis and at least one slit extending at least partially along a height of the sleeve between an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one slit separates a first side surface and a second side surface of the sleeve, wherein the first side surface is located a first distance from the longitudinal axis and the second side surface is located a second distance from the longitudinal axis. Each of the first distance and the second distance are measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The core catcher also comprising a bridging element extending at least partially about a perimeter of the sleeve. The bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface to limit a difference between the first distance and the second distance as a width of the at least one slit that separates the first side surface and the second side surface increases or decreases.
The coring tool of Embodiment 13, where the bridging element operatively couples movement of the first side surface and the second side surface such that the difference between the first distance and the second distance is substantially zero as the width of the at least one slit increases or decreases.
The coring tool of either of Embodiments 13 or 14, wherein the core catcher further comprises at least one track extending at least partially about the circumference of the sleeve, and wherein at least one crosspiece is slidably engaged with the at least one track.
The coring tool of any of Embodiments 13 through 15, wherein each of the at least one crosspiece and the at least one track is integrally formed with the sleeve.
The coring tool of any of Embodiments 13 through 16, wherein the at least one crosspiece comprises a recess formed in an inner surface of the at least one crosspiece, the at least one recess sized and configured to provide fluid flow between the at least one crosspiece and the at least one track.
The coring tool of any of Embodiments 13 through 17, wherein a first circumferential end of the at least one crosspiece is fixed to the sleeve and a second circumferential end of the at least one crosspiece is unfixed from the sleeve.
The coring tool of any of Embodiments 13 through 18, wherein the at least one crosspiece varies in height between the first circumferential end and the second circumferential end.
A method for extracting a core of subterranean formation from a wellbore comprising cutting a core of subterranean formation material from a subterranean formation and receiving the core in a core catcher. The core catcher comprises a sleeve comprising a longitudinal axis and at least one slit extending at least partially along a height of the sleeve between an upper end and a lower end thereof. The at least one slit separates a first side surface and a second side surface of the sleeve, wherein the first side surface is located a first distance from the longitudinal axis and the second side surface is located a second distance from the longitudinal axis. Each of the first distance and the second distance is measured in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The core catcher also comprises a bridging element extending at least partially about a perimeter of the sleeve. The method further comprises receiving the core catcher having the core therein within a central bore of a core shoe, wherein receiving the core catcher comprises reducing a width of the at least one slit that separates the first side surface and the second side surface while maintaining a difference between the first distance and the second distance at substantially zero.
Embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail herein to provide illustrative examples of embodiments of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited to the particular forms disclosed herein. Rather, embodiments of the disclosure may include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as broadly defined herein. Furthermore, elements and features described herein in relation to some embodiments may be implemented in other embodiments of the disclosure, and may be combined with elements and features described herein in relation to other embodiments to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.
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