Patent Description:
Core sampling is employed to allow geological surveying of the ground for the purposes of exploration and/or mining development. Analysis of the composition of the core sample provides information of the geological structures and composition of the surrounding ground. In order to maximise the usefulness of this information it is necessary to have knowledge of the orientation of the core sample relative to the ground from which it is extracted.

Many types of core orientation systems are available for determining the in-situ orientation of the core. Back end core orientation systems, also known as contactless core orientation systems, usually rely on gyroscopic, magnetic or gravitational sensors and devices for determining core orientation. These systems do not leave a physical mark of orientation on the core sample at the time of recording the core orientation or otherwise provide a permanent record of the core orientation that is carried by or associated with the sample. Such a physical mark or record is required by a geologist to enable them to determine the orientation of the core sample. The process of making such a core orientation record is performed at the surface, usually by the use of marking guides and jigs which support an inner core tube together with its corresponding backend or contactless orientation system. The jig allows the operator to rotate the core sample about the core axis so that at a pre-determined point (for example, bottom dead centre) is orientated to a known position (typically either the <NUM>° position or the <NUM>° position). The operator then physically marks the core sample on the core face, or the outer circumferential surface or both with a pencil or scribe denoting the location at that point. Thus when a geologist views the core sample they are able to easily discern the in-situ rotational position of the core sample.

A method and system of validating orientation of a core sample obtained by drilling the latter from a subsurface body of material is known from <CIT>. The system disclosed involves a unit using a core sample orientation identification device and a marker device. These components may be provided separately as discrete items or may be connected together, such as by an adjustment means. Typically the extracted inner core tube is placed on a support for ease of work. After the inner core tube containing the core sample has been orientated to the up/down position (corresponding to its orientation underground before being drilled out), the pen/pencil marker associated with the device is adjusted to a pre-set height corresponding to the diameter size of the core tube used. The unit comprises a jaw assembly of preferably three subsequent jaws, wherein the first and third jaws oppose the second jaw. The jaw assembly is opened sufficiently wide to allow the unit to be placed about the external diameter of the tube. The device is positioned such that the marking pen/pencil faces the exposed core face. Closing the opposed jaws together to closely fit the core tube allows the device to find its correct position via gravity so that the marker is pointing to the lower portion of the core face. The device hangs or suspends from the tube. The device contains a self-feeding and extruding wax nib which will always be extended ready to mark the core face. This can be position adjusted via adjustment means. Electronics within the housing of the device include one or more central processors, accelerometer(s), infrared communication components, other supporting components and a battery power supply. When self-alignment is completed by the device, a hand-held controller signals the device via infrared communication to release the marking pen/pencil. The embedded electronics confirms that the unit is properly aligned before allowing activation to release the marking pen/pencil towards the exposed core face and thereby mark its lower end to indicate correct orientation.

Another core orientation system is known from <CIT>. A drill operator retrieves a core tube with an orientation device in conventional manner and places the core tube in a stable position such as on a core rack or other surface. A core position indicator (CPI) is coupled to the front end of the core tube. To this end the CPI is provided with a mount in the form of a spring clip that snaps on to the tube. The mount enables the CPI to be rotated or turned relative to the core tube, about a longitudinal axis of the tube as well as being able to slide axially relative the tube. The CPI includes an electronics module which contains transceiver circuits to enable wireless communication with the remote control unit, and electronic orientation circuit which senses the orientation of the CPI relative to a known reference (typically gravity). The CPI comprises a guide for guiding a marking implement such as a pencil, pen or scribing instrument for marking the core or the core tube, or a component thereof case that is screwed to the front end of the core tube. The guide is in the form of a thin straight slat that extends in a direction of the axis of the core tube and is provided with an elongate slot. A forward most end of the slat is also provided with a guide block provided with an axially extending hole. The CPI is coupled to the tube in a position so that the block is in a location in front of a face of core sample contained within the core tube. The logged orientation data of the core sample are transferred to the CPI, and the CPI is subsequently moved relative to the core tube to a location where the CPI points to or otherwise indicates or signifies the ground in situ location of the core sample.

However, while a marking guide usually used by the prior art to assist in accurately placing the physical mark on the core sample, it has been found that there can be a high degree of inaccuracy in the data transfer. This is due primarily to: difficulty in using the marking guide because of the irregular and random geometry of the core face; operator carelessness; or human error. If the only mark made on the core sample is a dot on the core face as is the case with the aforementioned method and system known from <CIT> as well as from <CIT>, there is also a risk of the underlying section of the core face being broken off when the core sample is released from the core tube and associate core lifter assembly. A further deficiency is that once the mark has been made and the core orientation system used for the next core run, the ability to audit the marking for accuracy is lost.

There is a need for a method and system for increasing accuracy and reliability of core orientation data transfer from a backend and/or other contactless core orientation system to a record carrier associated with the core sample.

The present invention provides a method of enabling at surface orientation data transfer from 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, the core sample having a longitudinal core axis and a core face accessible from an end of the inner core tube, the method comprising:.

In one embodiment the method comprises prior to moving, generating correlation information between a known point on the instrument guide about the guide axis and core orientation data known to the contactless core orientation system.

In one embodiment the method comprises operating the instrument supported in or by the instrument guide to: act as the record carrier; or generate the record carrier provided with, or otherwise having transferred to it, the correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample to its in-situ orientation when released from the core tube.

In one embodiment the method comprises generating correlation data comprises rotationally aligning the known point with the core orientation a common reference point about the core axis.

In one embodiment using the instrument guide comprises engaging the instrument with the instrument guide and moving the instrument relative to the core face and parallel to the core axis to cause contact between the core face and the instrument.

In one embodiment moving the instrument parallel to the core axis relative to the core face comprises either (a) moving the instrument along, through or within the instrument guide relative to the core face to cause contact between the core face and the instrument; or (b) moving the instrument guide relative to the core face to cause contact between the core face and the instrument.

In one embodiment the method comprises demountably engaging the instrument with the instrument guide wherein after contact with the core face the instruments can be removed from the instrument guide.

In one embodiment the method comprises removing the instrument from the instrument guide after contact with the core face.

In one embodiment the method comprises recording on or in the instrument, header data relating to the core sample.

In one embodiment the method comprises manually recording the header data on the instrument.

In one embodiment the method comprises wireless transferring header data for recording in the instrument or on the record carrier.

In one embodiment the method comprises electronically recording in or on the record carrier audit data relating to the core sample.

In one embodiment the method comprises electronically recording in or on the record carrier, header data and audit data relating to the core sample.

In one embodiment recording audit data comprise recording one more of: (a) the time of day when the instrument was moved in a direction parallel to the core axis to contact the core face; (b) the date of moving the instrument in a direction parallel to the core axis to contact the core face; (c) the geographic location of the core sample in relation to which the method is performed; (d) a degree and direction of rotation of the instrument guide relative to the core tube about the core axis during the referencing of the rotational positions of the points and moving of the parallel to the core axis to cause contact between the core face and the instrument; (e) tool face of the core sample.

In one embodiment the method comprises arranging the instrument to record data pertaining to the profile of the core face.

In one embodiment the record carrier comprises an electronic image captured by the instrument of the core face and wherein the known point is visually represented on the image.

In one embodiment the record carrier further comprises electronic data pertaining to the rotational orientation of the known point.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises a plastically deformable pad or a plurality of linearly translatable pins which on contact with the core face are capable of recording data pertaining to the profile of the core face.

In one embodiment the method comprises providing the instrument with an electronic memory device capable of storing or processing data communicated by the contactless orientation system.

The present invention provides a system for enabling at surface orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system coupled with an inner core tube to one or more record carriers associated with a core sample held in the core tube, the core sample having a longitudinal core axis and a core face visible from an end of the inner core tube, the system, comprising:.

In one embodiment the instrument and the instrument guide are provided with respective coupling parts that enable demountable coupling of the instrument to the instrument guide in known rotational juxtaposition about the guide axis.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises one or both of: (a) a core face profile recording system; and (b) a scribe or marker capable of placing a mark on the core face.

In one embodiment the core face profile recording system comprises either (a) a plurality of axially displaceable pins or (b) a pad of plasticised material capable of taking an imprint of the core face.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises a surface on which header data can be manually transcribed.

In one embodiment the method comprises a rotation sensing device capable of detecting rotation of the instrument guide about the guide axis.

In one embodiment the instrument comprises an electronic memory device capable of recording one or both of (a) header data, and (b) audit data relating to the core sample.

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the method and system as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict an embodiment of a system <NUM> for enabling at surface core orientation data transfer from a contactless core orientation system <NUM> coupled with a core tube <NUM>. A core sample <NUM> is captured in the core tube <NUM>. The core sample <NUM> has a longitudinal core axis <NUM> and an exposed core face <NUM>. The core orientation system may be coupled to or otherwise housed in an up-hole end of a core tube <NUM>. The specific nature of the core orientation system Ills not material to the disclosed system and method. However one commercially available example of a contactless core orientation system is the REFLEX ACT III orientation system (see for example http://reflexnow. com/act-III).

This embodiment of the system <NUM> comprises an instrument guide <NUM> having a first end <NUM> and an opposite end <NUM> that are or can be arranged to lie on a common guide axis <NUM>. The guide axis <NUM> is parallel to the core axis <NUM>. The instrument guide <NUM> is configured so that when the first end <NUM> is coupled or otherwise engaged with the core tube <NUM>, the core face <NUM> lies between the first and second end <NUM> and <NUM>. This is shown for example in present <FIG>.

The system <NUM> also includes an instrument 28a (<FIG>) that is coupled with the instrument guide <NUM>. The instrument 28a is supported or coupled in a manner wherein the instrument guide <NUM> holds the instrument 28a in alignment with the core axis. In some but not all of the embodiments the guide <NUM> facilitates motion of the instrument 28a in a direction parallel to the core axis <NUM> to a location where the instrument 28a contacts the core surface <NUM>.

Individual components and parts of the system <NUM> will now be described in greater detail.

The instrument guide <NUM> is composed of a first sleeve <NUM> and a second sleeve <NUM>. The sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> are releasably connectable together. In this example this is by way of complementary screw threads 34a and 34b. The first sleeve <NUM> is formed with an inner diameter which is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the core tube <NUM>. This enables the instrument guide <NUM> to engage the core tube <NUM> with minimal radial play. A number of viewing ports <NUM> are formed in the sleeve <NUM> near an end at which the sleeve <NUM> couples to the sleeve <NUM>. Sleeve <NUM> houses the instrument 28a. The instrument 28a is keyed to the sleeve <NUM> so that it has a known rotational orientation with reference to one or more known reference point P1, P2. Pn (hereinafter referred to in general as known point(s) P), of the system. This is achieved by way of engagement of the instrument 28a with mounting pin <NUM> provided with the sleeve <NUM>. The instrument <NUM> and the mounting pin <NUM> are arranged so that the instrument 28a can lock into the sleeve <NUM> on the mounting pin <NUM> in only one specific and known orientation about the guide axis <NUM>.

The system <NUM> has a rotational position sensor <NUM>, in this example a spirit level <NUM>, to provide an operator with information relating to the rotational position of the known point(s) P of the system <NUM> about the guide axis <NUM>. The point P maybe one of a plurality of known points P1, P2 etc. Further the one or more points P may be either on or referable to the guide <NUM> or the instrument 28a supported by the guide.

In this instance the sensor <NUM> is attached to the instrument guide <NUM> near the end <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. The system <NUM> is also provided with an axial passage <NUM> which is parallel with the axis <NUM>. The passage <NUM> opens onto the end <NUM>. The passage <NUM> is provided to enable receipt of a second or alternative instrument 28b in the form of a china pencil (see <FIG>).

The instrument 28a has a core face profile recording system <NUM> which comprises a set of pins <NUM> and a marker in the form of a pencil <NUM>. The pins <NUM> are frictionally retained within a body <NUM> of the instrument 28a and are able to slide lineally in a direction parallel to the guide axis <NUM>. An outer surface <NUM> of the body <NUM> is provided with a compass or bearing scale <NUM> (see <FIG>).

One such point P1 may be the rotational position of the marker <NUM> of the instrument 28a about the guide axis <NUM>. An alternate or additional point P2 may be the rotational position of the axis of the passage <NUM> about position of the guide axis <NUM>. In this particular embodiment both of these points P1 and P2 lie on the same radius of the guide axis <NUM>. That is, the points P1 and P2 have the same rotational position about the guide axis <NUM>.

The instrument 28a also includes a demountable cap <NUM> (see <FIG>) that can be mounted on the end of the body <NUM> from which the pins <NUM> protrude. The cap <NUM> when fitted protects the pins <NUM> from being accidentally displaced in the axial direction.

The cap <NUM> is also provided with a surface <NUM> which can be manually marked for example by an indelible marker with header data relating to the core sample. Header data may include: identification data (e.g. a hole number) of the hole from which the core sample <NUM> is obtained; the driller ID; and the depth of hole at which the sample was extracted. Further details of the instrument 28a may be obtained from <CIT>.

A method <NUM> of using the above described embodiment of the system <NUM> for enabling at surface core orientation data transfer will now be described.

<FIG> shows in a very broad sense an embodiment of the disclosed method <NUM> for enabling at surface core orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system <NUM> coupled with inner core tube <NUM> to one or more record carriers. In the present embodiment the instrument 28a constitutes a record carrier. However the core sample <NUM> may also constitute a record carrier. (In other embodiments to be described later the record carrier may comprise an electronic memory storage device which is attached to the instrument <NUM>, or may be constituted by electronically storable data such as an electronic image.

This embodiment of the method <NUM> can be considered as involving three broad steps namely:.

As described below the generation of the correlation information between the positions of the known point P and the core orientation data may be via a common reference point A.

With reference to the presently described embodiment of the system <NUM>, the step <NUM> of coupling the instrument guide <NUM> to the end of the core tube <NUM> is achieved by mounting or otherwise arranging the instrument guide <NUM> relative to the core sample <NUM> so that the core face <NUM> lies between the first and second end <NUM> and <NUM> of the instrument guide <NUM>. The end <NUM> of the guide <NUM> is simply slid onto and over the core sample <NUM> and the adjacent portion of the inner core tube <NUM>. This arrangement is shown specifically in <FIG>.

<FIG> are referred to assist in describing steps <NUM> and <NUM> of the present embodiment of the method <NUM>. It is assumed that the contactless orientation system <NUM> was previously operated to log core orientation data being the in situ rotational position of a specific point on the core about the core axis <NUM> immediately prior to the core breaking operation relative to a known reference. The known reference may be, but not is limited to, for example:.

When retrieving the core sample <NUM> from a drill string and subsequently placing the corresponding core tube <NUM> on a core table or jig the relative rotational position of the contactless core orientation system <NUM> and the core sample <NUM> have not changed. Also the contactless core orientation system <NUM> by its very nature is able to detect the known reference when at the surface or in the hole.

In this embodiment we will assume that the contactless orientation system <NUM> logs orientation data of a point on the core <NUM> relative to bottom dead centre of the bore hole rather than magnetic north or true north.

<FIG> shows the gravitational bottom of hole location BH in an angled borehole of the core sample <NUM> when retrieved from the bore hole and lying horizontally on a core table or jig. In <FIG> the core face <NUM> is front on, the core sample <NUM> is still in the core tube <NUM> and the system <NUM> is attached to the back end of the core tube. There has been no relative rotation between the system <NUM> and the core sample <NUM>. Point BH shows the location of the bottom of the hole of the core <NUM> as logged by the system <NUM> immediately prior to the core breaking operation. Point A is a common reference point and in this example corresponds with the location of the bottom of the core sample <NUM> when at the surface on a core tray. Neither point A nor point BH is physically marked on the core sample <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> is not coupled to the core tube <NUM> at this time. The in situ gravitational bottom of hole location BH of the core sample <NUM>, while known to the contactless core orientation system <NUM> is at a random rotational position about the axis <NUM>. In the present example the point BH is at a bearing of about <NUM>° (or -<NUM>°) about the axis <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a first step in correlating the position BH with the position of the know point P. This may also be considered as referencing the core orientation data with or to the known location P. This step involves rotating the core tube <NUM> and thus the core sample <NUM> until the point BH is at a known location in this instance the common reference point A which is at a bearing of <NUM>°. Because the contactless orientation system <NUM> knows the location BH, and knows its own location in space, the contactless orientation system <NUM> can now be operated on the surface to provide feedback to an operator to inform them when the point BH is at the <NUM>° bearing coinciding with point A. This feedback may be by way of audible and/or visual signals emitted by the contactless orientation system <NUM> or by a handheld or otherwise portable instrument <NUM> which communicates with the contactless orientation system.

<FIG> represents the rotational position of the guide <NUM> on initial mounting on the core tube <NUM>. Now the respective axes <NUM> and <NUM> are collinear. Indeed the axes <NUM> and <NUM> will be substantially coaxial. The marker <NUM> which represents a known point P1 on the instrument 28a is initially randomly located about axis <NUM> when the guide <NUM> is mounted on the core tube <NUM>. In this example point P1/marker <NUM> is shown at a bearing of about <NUM>° about the guide axis <NUM>.

An operator will now rotate the instrument <NUM> relative to the core tube <NUM> to level the position of the bubble in the spirit level <NUM>. During this process the core sample <NUM> and core <NUM> remain rotationally stationary. This will result in the marker <NUM> being rotated to coincide with the common reference point A at the <NUM>° bearing location. This is also the current physical rotational location position of the point BH. The relative positions of the core sample <NUM> and the instrument guide <NUM>/instrument 28a upon completion of this process is shown in <FIG>.

Therefore by the above process the location of point P/marker <NUM> has been correlated with or referenced to the in situ rotational position BH of the core sample. This process has generated correlation data being that the known point P now has the same rotational position about the axes <NUM>, <NUM> as the point BH. (In another example shown later the correlation data is that the known point P is at a known rotational offset from the point BH.

The instrument 28a is now operated (in this case by using the guide <NUM> to slide the instrument 28a into contact with the face <NUM>), to generate the record carrier provided with the correlation information. Indeed in this example two record carriers are generated. One record carrier <NUM> is the core <NUM> while a second independent record carrier is the instrument 28a.

Specifically operating instrument 28a in this example involves an operator using the guide <NUM> to move the instrument 28a into contact with the face <NUM>. This will result in a linear translation of the pins <NUM> in accordance with the profile of the face <NUM> as well as the marker <NUM> placing a physical mark TD on the core face <NUM>. This is exemplified in Figures 4d and <FIG>.

The core face <NUM> bearing the mark TD now constitutes a first record carrier of the in situ orientation data of the core sample <NUM>. The mark TD is or otherwise constitutes the transferred orientation data from the contactless orientation system <NUM> to the record carrier. Thus the point TD is indicative of the orientation of the known point P and corresponds to or has a known relationship with the in situ orientation of the core sample <NUM>. In this specific embodiment the rotational position of the mark TD is the same as the orientation of the known point P. However in other embodiments transferred orientation data TD is not a physical mark on the core sample <NUM> but rather electronically storable data which provides an indication of the in situ orientation of the core sample <NUM>.

The instrument 28a, by virtue of the pins <NUM> and either the pencil <NUM> or the hole in which the pencil <NUM> is held, forms or acts as another independent record carrier bearing correlation information enabling orientation of the core sample <NUM> to its in situ orientation when released from the core tube <NUM>. By keeping the instrument 28a with the core sample <NUM> a geologist can always properly orientate the core sample <NUM> by matching the profile of the face <NUM> with the profile of the pins <NUM> and then rotating/rolling the instrument 28a with the core sample <NUM> in a horizontal plane so that the location pencil <NUM> is a bearing of <NUM>°. When at the <NUM>° bearing the geologist knows that the lowermost point of the core <NUM> corresponds with the point BH recorded by the system <NUM>. Therefore even if the mark TD on the core face <NUM> has been lost the core sample <NUM> can still be placed in its in situ orientation.

The instrument 28a can be removed from the guide <NUM> by decoupling the sleeves <NUM> and <NUM> from each other and pulling the instrument 28a off of its mounting key <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may then be attached to the body <NUM> to protect the pins <NUM> form accidental displacement. Header data can be manually written onto the surface <NUM> of the cap <NUM>. The instrument 28a is retained with the core sample <NUM>. Thus a new instrument 28a is required for each orientation data transfer.

The above position procedure for generating the correlation information or otherwise referencing the in situ core orientation for known point P of the system <NUM> could also be used for vertical boreholes that do not have a gravitational bottom of hole reference position. This requires the use of a contactless orientation system that relies on magnetic north or true north as the known (detectable) reference point.

In this variation, depicted in <FIG>, the system <NUM> uses the instrument 28b rather than the instrument 28a. The instrument 28a is a consumable single use item whereas the instrument 28b is used to correlate the known point P with the in situ core orientation to effect transfer of the orientation data onto the core face <NUM> of many core samples <NUM>. Specifically the instrument 28b solely comprises a longer version of the pencil <NUM> of the instrument 28a. The rotationally referencing method is identical to that described above.

In a further variation, the instrument 28a may be provided with an electronic memory device <NUM> (shown schematically in <FIG>) enabling the electric recording of one or both of header data and audit data. The electronic memory device can be in the form of for example of an RFID chip. This may be embedded in the body <NUM> of the instrument 28a. Header and/or audit data can be transferred automatically from the contactless orientation system <NUM> to the electronic memory device. The audit data may include for example but is not limited to:.

In order to enable recording of data (c) above, embodiments of the system <NUM> may also be provided with one or more accelerometers to detect rotational motion about the axis <NUM>. Ideally such GPS and other digital, magnetic or gyroscopic devices will be placed in the guide <NUM> rather than the instrument 28a to reduce the overall cost of the consumable product namely, the instrument 28a.

The instrument 28a in this embodiment is used in exactly the same manner as described above in relation to the first embodiment of the additional step of electronically transferring information from one, or any combination, of: the system <NUM>; the GPS and other digital, magnetic or gyroscopic device in the guide <NUM>; or other instrument such as smart phone. For example the smart phone may be used to enter some or all of the audit data into the electronic memory.

<FIG> also provides a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system <NUM>' which enables electronic generation of correlation information enabling the rotational referencing of point P relative to point BH. In this embodiment the rotational position sensor <NUM> is in the form of an electronic rotational orientation system <NUM>' rather than the spirit level described in relation to the first embodiment. The contactless core orientation system <NUM> is connected to the back end of the core tube <NUM>. In this variation by virtue of the system <NUM>' the system 1O'/guide <NUM> will know or be able to determine by itself the rotational position of point P about the guide axis <NUM>. Thus the bearing of the point BH about axis <NUM> is known to, or measurable by, the contactless core orientation system <NUM> and the bearing of the point the point P is known to, or measurable by, the system <NUM>'. Therefore by communication between the contactless orientation system <NUM> and the rotational position sensor <NUM> and the use of a basic processor the location of point BH relative to point P can be determined i.e. correlation information can be generated enabling the orientation of the core sample <NUM> to its in situ orientation when released from the core tube <NUM>. This may be stored on an electronic memory (such a RFID chip described above) on or in the instrument 28a.

The method <NUM> of referencing the position of point BH to the point P and the subsequent creation of the record carrier bearing the point P is described in more detail below with reference to <FIG>.

The method <NUM> entails, once the core sample <NUM> and core tube <NUM> are placed on a core table or rack, with point A representing the lowest rotational position of the core sample <NUM> on the table, i.e. the <NUM>° bearing position:.

The guide <NUM> can now be used to cause contact between the instrument 28a and the core face <NUM> thereby physically marking the core face <NUM> with the point TD. Alternately one can first affect the contact between the core face <NUM> and the instrument 28a to mark the core face <NUM> with the mark TD and at that time, before separation, electronically reference the location of point P to the point BH. This then removes the possibility of an error being generated by unintended rotation of the guide <NUM> when performing the contact. It should be noted that in this embodiment there is no need to rotate the guide <NUM> in order that the point P rotationally coincides with the point A. This is because the offset θ° is now known and recorded. Thus a geologist by accessing a database associated with the core sample <NUM> knows of the physical point P is offset by θ° degrees from the reference point (in this case gravitational bottom of the hole). The geologist now rotates the core sample <NUM> about a horizontal axis so that the point P is in the rotational offset position, at which time the core sample <NUM> will be in its in situ orientation at the time of the core breaking operation.

This embodiment of system <NUM>' requires that the contactless orientation system <NUM> and the system <NUM>' are able to communicate to each other the bearing of their respective points BH and P. Either one of the systems <NUM> or <NUM>' can then determine the position of point P relative to the gravitational bottom of hole, magnetic or true north directional location BH. This is communicated to an electronic memory <NUM> in or on the instrument 28a either by the system <NUM> or the system <NUM>.

Providing WiFi capability in either the system <NUM>, system <NUM>' or indeed the memory <NUM> also enables header and/or audit data inclusive of course of core orientation data to be automatically uploaded to a centralised data management system or hub. This then enables a geologist to simply access the database and view the information stored in relation to any particular core sample to enable access to auditable data pertaining to the orientation of the core sample.

In an extension or refinement of the system <NUM>' shown in <FIG>, it is further possible to do away completely with the need for any instrument to physically contact the core sample <NUM>/core face <NUM>. Rather, the instrument generating the record carrier can be an image capture device locatable within or supported by the guide <NUM> to obtain an image of a core face <NUM>. When the guide <NUM> is arranged on the core tube <NUM> with the core face <NUM> intermediate the ends <NUM> and <NUM> an image plane of the image capture device will be square on (i.e. perpendicular to) the core axis <NUM>. Now the image capture device can be used to capture an image of the core face <NUM>. The image may be a photographic image, a stereoscopic image, or indeed an acoustic, radar, gamma, XRAY Fluorescent (XRF) or other type image, or a combination of two or more of such images.

The image capture device is arranged so that the point P can be designated at a specific pixel on an image of the core face <NUM>. This pixel appears in a known manner for, example a cross, on the image. The image capture device (i.e. the instrument) may itself have an inbuilt orientation system which knows and stores information relating to the orientation of the point P about a known reference such as the <NUM>° bearing about a horizontal axis, true North or magnetic north. Alternately the instrument guide <NUM> supporting instrument 28a may have an electronic rotational orientation system <NUM>' as described above which can communicate orientation information to the image capture device.

Since the instrument <NUM> knows the in situ orientation data the correlation information relating the rotational position of this point P with or to point BH can be generated as described above in relation to the embodiment in <FIG>. Further, all of the header and other audit data can also be uploaded to the database or hub. Now when a geologist wishes to analyse this data, they will access, either online or by a separate electronic data carrier, an image of the core face with the marked point P together with the header and audit data. The geologist can then compare the image with the core sample at hand and rotate the core sample to its rotational position about its axis <NUM> at the time of core break. Thus in this embodiment the record carrier is electronic image data enabling display of an image of the core face together with the location of the point P and the correlation information relating the location of point P to the in situ core orientation. Thus a geologist can access a database pertaining to the core sample in question, access and display the image of the core sample locate including the point P on the image, view the core face <NUM> to locate the corresponding point on the core face then using the stored correlation information determine the in-situ orientation of the core sample <NUM>. For example the correlation information may be that the point P on the display is bottom dead centre.

Whilst a number of specific method and system embodiments have been described, it should be appreciated that the method and system may be embodied in many other forms.

For example, the record carrier incorporated in the system <NUM> shown in <FIG> comprises a plurality of pins <NUM> which provide profile points of the core face <NUM>. However the profile may be recorded by use of a plasticised material which takes an imprint of the core face <NUM> on contact Also while the instrument guide <NUM> is depicted as being in the form of a tube provided with a number of circular viewing ports, different configurations are possible. For example, the instrument guide could be provided with a plurality of elongated slots that extend axially between the ends <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, the instrument guide <NUM> may be of a different shape such as triangular or be provided with flat bottom surface that provides a horizontal positional reference rather than use of a spirit level Additionally when the instrument 28a is used, the system <NUM> may be provided with a carriage on which the instrument 28a is supported and a lever or other actuator that can be manipulated by an operator to move the carriage linearly along or within the guide <NUM> to contact the core face <NUM>. Also a core release system such as described in Applicant's co-pending <CIT> may be incorporated into the system <NUM> to assist in releasing the core sample <NUM> after the transfer of the orientation data. While the contactless core orientation system has been described as providing at least core orientation data (i.e. azimuth or bearing) it may also provide other information such as hole inclination which can be transferred particularly for embodiments of the disclosed system and method that incorporate electronic data storage.

In yet a further variation a camera may be provided in the instrument 28a described with reference to <FIG> at a location to facilitate image capture of the core face <NUM>. The camera can be operated either (a) prior to contact with the core face; (b) both before and at contact with the face; or (c) continuously from before, to the time of contact with the core face. Operating the camera as per (b) or (c) provides an alternative or additional method of detecting rotation of the instrument 28a while being moved into contact with the core face, thus enhancing accuracy and auditability of the core orientation transfer. In a further variation the camera may be demountably connected to the instrument 28a to enable it to be reused for every orientation transfer operation rather than once off with a permanently associated instrument 28a. An alternate arrangement to enable reuse of the camera is to mount the camera in the guide <NUM>, and configure the instrument 28a so that the camera is able to view the core face <NUM> while the instrument is attached to the guide <NUM>. For example the camera may be in the mounting pin <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the instrument 28a provided with a coaxial window through which the camera views the core face <NUM>. Data captured by the camera may be used in the same way as described above under the heading "Contactless Orientation Data Transfer Embodiment".

Claim 1:
A method of enabling at surface orientation data transfer from a contactless orientation system (<NUM>), wherein the contactless orientation system (<NUM>) coupled with an inner core tube (<NUM>) to one or more record carriers on or associated with a core sample (<NUM>) held in the core tube (<NUM>), the core sample (<NUM>) having a longitudinal core axis (<NUM>) and a core face (<NUM>) accessible from an end of the inner core tube (<NUM>), the method comprising:
• arranging a tubular instrument guide (<NUM>) which has opposite first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) ends relative to the core sample (<NUM>) so that the core face (<NUM>) lies between the first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) ends of the instrument guide (<NUM>), and a guide axis (<NUM>) running through the first (<NUM>) and second (<NUM>) ends of the instrument guide (<NUM>) is collinear with the core axis (<NUM>); and
• using the instrument guide (<NUM>) to move an instrument (28a,28b) in a direction parallel to the core axis (<NUM>) to contact the core face (<NUM>) wherein on contact with the core face (<NUM>) the instrument (28a,28b) constitutes, or is capable of producing, a record carrier of the orientation of the core sample (<NUM>).