A geological core inspection system that includes a table to support core samples for inspection, a robotic geological core inspection system including a core sample sensing system to acquire sample inspection data (including an imaging sensor and a core sample position sensor), a core sample interaction system (including a dispensing system and a scoring system), and a robotic positioning system, and a control and communications system to provide for remote control of the core sample sensing system. The system further including a remote geological core inspection system to receive and communicate remote commands specifying requested operations of the robotic geological core inspection system (the control and communications system adapted to control operation of the core sample sensing system in response to the remote commands to perform the requested operations) and receive and present core data.

A method of assessing the response of a reservoir rock to low salinity water includes obtaining a formation core sample of a reservoir rock from a reservoir. In addition, the method includes sequentially washing the formation core sample with a first series of solvents to form a first series of solvent extracts and an extracted formation core sample. Further, the method includes sequentially washing the extracted formation core sample with a second series of solvents to form a second series of solvent extracts and a cleaned formation core sample. The method also includes generating a series of mass spectra of the second series of solvent extracts. The relative abundance of the catecholamine-type structures (CTS) is determined using the series of mass spectra. Still further, the method includes subjecting the formation core sample to analysis by X-ray diffraction to generate a diffraction pattern. The relative abundance of kalonite is determined using the diffraction pattern. Moreover, the method includes assessing a response of the reservoir rock to low salinity water based on the percentage of kalonite and the relative abundance of CTS.

A method of transferring at least one subterranean core sample from a retrieval vessel to a testing vessel can include removing at least one pressure barrier on the retrieval vessel using a linear actuator while maintaining a sampling pressure on the at least one subterranean core sample at which the at least one subterranean core sample is taken from a subterranean formation. The method can also include pressurizing the testing vessel to the sampling pressure using the linear actuator, and transferring the at least one subterranean core sample from the retrieval vessel to the testing vessel. The method can further include sealing the testing vessel with the at least one subterranean core sample at the sampling pressure, where the testing vessel allows the at least one subterranean core sample to be tested while the at least one subterranean core sample is maintained at the sampling pressure.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for monitoring health and integrity of core samples are disclosed. The apparatus includes a core container including a body portion having a plurality of chambers to accommodate a plurality of samples, and a lid portion configured to fully cover the body portion, and one or more vibration sensing devices configured to measure vibration experienced by each of the plurality of core samples. The apparatus is further configured to access a database comprising a plurality of core rock matrices and corresponding threshold vibration amplitude values, and determine, for each of the core samples, a category from a plurality of categories based on the vibration experienced by the core sample and the threshold vibration amplitude value for the corresponding core rock matrix.

A shoe assembly of a core drilling system includes a lower tubular body threaded onto an upper shoe component, the shoe assembly in turn removably threaded on to an annular inner pipe integral to the earth core drilling system, the lower shoe having a torque pattern of two or more surface indentations or slots disposed strategically about the outer periphery thereof, the torque pattern matching a pattern of protrusive elements on a friction-breaking socket tool, wherein a worker may place the friction-breaking socket tool on or over the lower tubular body and use that tool to break the threaded interface between the upper shoe component and the inner pipe of the core drilling system and unscrew the shoe assembly from the inner pipe to remove an earth core sample from the inner tube pipe and to screw the shoe assembly back on to the inner tube pipe.

A shoe interface system and related methods are provided, where the shoe has a threaded connection to another tubular component of an inner tube assembly used in earth core drilling systems. The shoe interface system comprises a shoe and a tool used to connect and disconnect the shoe from said other tubular component by way of applying a complementary coupling interface that contributes to, or enhances the overall coupling pattern used to create sufficient engagement between contacting surfaces of the shoe and tool, and thus enable the connection and disconnection of the shoe when the tool is in use to break or create a friction lock at the threaded connection. Each complementary coupling interface comprises one or more pairings of raised and depressed surfaces that can be aligned and fitted with one another as a means to make the operation of the tool more ergonomic for the user.

A device and a method for transferring and storing a deep in-situ core in a sealed and pressure-maintaining manner includes a pressure vessel, a sealed storage vessel, a control system, a pressure regulation system and at least one spherical valve. The pressure vessel includes a first barrel and a first end sealing piston mounted at a first end of the first barrel and being slidable in the pressure vessel. The sealed storage vessel includes a second barrel and a second end sealing piston which is mounted at a first end of the second barrel. At least one spherical valve is connected between the first barrel and the second barrel. The pressure regulation system is configured for regulating an amount of water in the second barrel. The control system includes a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a controller.

A device for handling inner tubes that allows receiving said tubes from the drilling rig to make it available for the extraction of the sample, which reduces operator intervention, reducing risks and facilitates handling of the inner tube, optimizing work times and improves the efficiency of the operation.

Certain aspects of the instant application are directed to a steel coring drilling machine and a method for replacing trench well exploration which can be applied in a large scale for horizontal drilling and exploring on the surface. The steel coring drilling machine includes a base, a main machine, a drilling tool, a drill rod and a steel coring system. The main machine is installed on the base, which is capable of adjusting the installation angle of the main machine, the drill rod is installed on the main machine, and the main machine is used to drive the rotation and feed of the drill rod. The front end of the drill rod is fixedly connected with the drilling tool. The back end of the drill rod is connected with the steel coring system. The axis of rotation of the drill tool is collinear with the axis of rotation of the drill rod.

A System for collecting and processing data concerning physical features of drill core samples with three-dimensional shape and appearance. The system comprises a contact less analytical apparatus for measuring and collecting data of at least some part of the outer surface of the drill core samples, a first data-storing means for storing data collected by the analytical apparatus, a processing unit that applies one or more data evaluation algorithms on the data stored in the first data storage means in order to extract data regarding physical features of the drill cores (1) as an output, and a second data storage means for storage of the resulting output from the processing unit. The system is also related to a method for measuring and collecting data on the three-dimensional shape and appearance of drill core samples, such as planar discontinuities including orientation marks on the drill core samples.