A system (10) and method (50) of enabling the acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip in a core drill (12) having a drill string (18) and an inner core barrel assembly (16). The method uses a borehole survey tool 14 that is arranged to at least log its position in three-dimensional space. The borehole survey tool (14) is run down the drill string (12) in which the inner core barrel assembly (16) is installed. The inner core barrel assembly (16) is arranged to either provide or facilitate detection of an indication of tool face of a core sample (24) held in the inner core barrel assembly (16). The indication of tool face is then transferred mechanically or electronically to the visiting borehole survey tool (14).

A system (10) and method (50) of enabling the acquisition of borehole survey data and core orientation data in a single instrument trip in a core drill (12) having a drill string (18) and an inner core barrel assembly (16). The method uses a borehole survey tool 14 that is arranged to at least log its position in three-dimensional space. The borehole survey tool (14) is run down the drill string (12) in which the inner core barrel assembly (16) is installed. The inner core barrel assembly (16) is arranged to either provide or facilitate detection of an indication of tool face of a core sample (24) held in the inner core barrel assembly (16). The indication of tool face is then transferred mechanically or electronically to the visiting borehole survey tool (14).

A core barrel head assembly having at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data; a power source; and a communication means to receive and/or transmit orientation data for use in a core sample down hole surveying and sample orientation system that is configured to provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core has been extracted, and also to a method of core sample orientation identification.

A core barrel head assembly having at least one electronic instrument that is configured to obtain orientation data; a power source; and a communication means to receive and/or transmit orientation data for use in a core sample down hole surveying and sample orientation system that is configured to provide an indication of the orientation of a core sample relative to a body of material from which the core has been extracted, and also to a method of core sample orientation identification.

A horizontal or deviated core sample is received from a wellbore. A presence of geologic indicators within the horizontal or deviated core sample is determined. The horizontal or deviated core sample is rotated to a position based on the presence and orientation of the geologic indicators. A top of the horizontal or deviated core sample is marked after the core has been rotated.

A horizontal or deviated core sample is received from a wellbore. A presence of geologic indicators within the horizontal or deviated core sample is determined. The horizontal or deviated core sample is rotated to a position based on the presence and orientation of the geologic indicators. A top of the horizontal or deviated core sample is marked after the core has been rotated.

A horizontal or deviated core sample is received from a wellbore. A presence of geologic indicators within the horizontal or deviated core sample is determined. The horizontal or deviated core sample is rotated to a position based on the presence and orientation of the geologic indicators. A top of the horizontal or deviated core sample is marked after the core has been rotated.

A horizontal or deviated core sample is received from a wellbore. A presence of geologic indicators within the horizontal or deviated core sample is determined. The horizontal or deviated core sample is rotated to a position based on the presence and orientation of the geologic indicators. A top of the horizontal or deviated core sample is marked after the core has been rotated.

A contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample held in the core tube having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube. An instrument guide is coupled to the end of the core tube from which the core face is accessible with an axis of the guide parallel to the core axis. Correlation information is generated between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system. The instrument acts as the record carrier or generates the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.

A contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample held in the core tube having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube. An instrument guide is coupled to the end of the core tube from which the core face is accessible with an axis of the guide parallel to the core axis. Correlation information is generated between a rotational orientation of a known point P on the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless orientation system. The instrument acts as the record carrier or generates the record carrier provided with the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.