Methods of operating earth-boring tools may involve extending a selectively actuatable cutting element outward from a face of the earth-boring tool. A portion of an underlying earth formation may be crushed by a crushing cutting action utilizing the selectively actuatable cutting element in response to extension of the cutting element. The selectively actuatable cutting element may subsequently be retracted. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively actuatable cutting element mounted to a blade, the selectively actuatable cutting element configured to move between a retracted state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element does not engage with an underlying earth formation and an extended state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element engages with the underlying earth formation. The selectively actuatable cutting element may be configured to perform a gouging or crushing cutting action at least upon initial positioning into the extended state.

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.

Systems and methods presented herein include sidewall coring tool assemblies used to return core plugs of rock from a sidewall of a wellbore as part of a data collection exercise for exploration and production of hydrocarbons. A coring bit and a coring shaft of the present disclosure allow space for cuttings to move away from the bit face when drilling into a formation. In addition, certain embodiments include a plurality of inlets disposed circumferentially on an external surface at a first axial end of the coring shaft, a plurality of internal grooves disposed on an internal surface of the coring shaft, and/or a plurality of fins disposed on the external surface to direct flow of drilling and debris away from the coring bit. In addition to providing more space for cuttings to move away from the coring bit, the torque needed to drive the bit is lessened as the surface area of the bit contacting or engaging the formation is reduced.

A rapid assembly and automatic sampling drilling tool for frozen soil layer exploration includes a fixed flow divider, a flow guide pipe, a coring pipe and a drill bit. The fixed flow divider is connected to the drill bit through the flow guide pipe and the coring pipe mounted between the fixed flow divider and the drill bit. Two ends of the flow guide pipe communicate with the fixed flow divider and a main flow channel in the drill bit respectively. Hot water in the fixed flow divider can be conveyed into the drill bit through the flow guide pipe and sprayed from a nozzle arranged on the drill bit for drilling and coring operations. An inlet of the coring pipe communicates with a coring channel in an inner cavity in the drill bit, and a core sample drilled by the drill bit is taken out through the coring pipe.

A drill bit having a central axis can comprise a shank defining an inner bore and a crown having a cutting face. The crown can define an outer operative circumference. The crown can comprise a core-receiving slot in communication with the inner bore of the shank. One or more peripheral slots can be in communication with the inner bore of the shank. The crown can comprise one or more face channels that are in communication with the core-receiving slot and a respective peripheral slot. A base portion can be positioned within the core-receiving slot. The base portion can define a breaking surface. The peripheral slots can be configured to receive fluid moving in a distal direction toward the cutting face of the crown. The face channels can be configured to deliver fluid from the respective peripheral slot to the core-receiving slot.

A rapid assembly and automatic sampling drilling tool for frozen soil layer exploration includes a fixed flow divider, a flow guide pipe, a coring pipe and a drill bit. The fixed flow divider is connected to the drill bit through the flow guide pipe and the coring pipe mounted between the fixed flow divider and the drill bit. Two ends of the flow guide pipe communicate with the fixed flow divider and a main flow channel in the drill bit respectively. Hot water in the fixed flow divider can be conveyed into the drill bit through the flow guide pipe and sprayed from a nozzle arranged on the drill bit for drilling and coring operations. An inlet of the coring pipe communicates with a coring channel in an inner cavity in the drill bit, and a core sample drilled by the drill bit is taken out through the coring pipe.

A drill bit having a central axis can comprise a shank defining an inner bore and a crown having a cutting face. The crown can define an outer operative circumference. The crown can comprise a core-receiving slot in communication with the inner bore of the shank. One or more peripheral slots can be in communication with the inner bore of the shank. The crown can comprise one or more face channels that are in communication with the core-receiving slot and a respective peripheral slot. A base portion can be positioned within the core-receiving slot. The base portion can define a breaking surface. The peripheral slots can be configured to receive fluid moving in a distal direction toward the cutting face of the crown. The face channels can be configured to deliver fluid from the respective peripheral slot to the core-receiving slot.