Coring tools and methods for making coring tools and procuring core samples

A coring tool, comprising:

• a coring bit comprising a cutting structure at least partially surrounding an inner bore, the cutting structure comprising an outer gage at a radially outermost position on the coring bit and an inner gage at a periphery of the inner bore, the inner gage being configured to cut a core sample to be received into the inner bore;
• a receptacle connected to the coring bit, the receptacle comprising an inner surface defining a bore configured to receive a core sample within the bore;
• and
• a sponge material located within the receptacle, the sponge material being configured to absorb a fluid expected to be found within the core sample;
• wherein a distance between a projection of an inner surface of the sponge material and the inner gage on a plane extending perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the coring tool is about 1 mm or less along at least 75% of a longitudinal length of the sponge material.

A method of making a coring tool, comprising:

• forming an inner gage and an outer gage on a coring bit comprising a cutting structure surrounding a inner bore, the outer gage being fanned at a radially outermost position on the coring bit and the inner gage being formed at a periphery of the inner bore, the inner gage being configured to cut a core sample to be received into the inner bore;
• connecting a receptacle to the coring bit, the receptacle comprising an inner surface defining a bore configured to receive a core sample within the bore;
• and
• attaching a sponge material to the inner surface of the receptacle, the sponge material being configured to absorb a fluid expected to be found within the core sample;
• wherein forming the inner gage comprises forming a diameter of the inner gage to be smaller than a diameter defined by an inner surface of the sponge material by about 1 mm or less along at least 75% of a longitudinal length of the sponge material.

A method of procuring a core sample using a coring tool, comprising:

• engaging an earth formation with a cutting structure of a coring bit;
• receiving a core sample within a bore of a receptacle connected to the coring bit, the receptacle being lined with a sponge material;
• and
• maintaining a space of about 1 mm or less between the core sample and the sponge material.