Method and apparatus for alternating between coring and drilling without tripping operations

Abstract

An apparatus for combined coring and drilling in a wellbore includes a core drilling assembly with a coring drill head, an outer tubing for conveying forces to the drill head, an inner tubing with an upper end connected to a bearing assembly, and a lower end adapted for receiving a core sample. The apparatus further includes: a lifting device, for controlling the position of the inner tubing along the longitudinal axis of the core drilling assembly, that is connected to or is arranged as a part of the bearing assembly; closure elements with embedded cutting implements for cutting core sample; and one or more controller device(s) for controlling activation and deactivation of the closure elements. The closure elements are connected to the core drilling assembly at the lower end and below the opening of the inner tubing such that, when in an open position enables core sample to enter the inner tubing, and when in a closed position prevents core material from entering the inner tubing and then cut core material letting it exit to the borehole annulus via drill head openings provided in the wall of the coring drill head.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.