Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Western Geophysical Company of America

Joel J Hebert

Ben B Thigpen

Jo-Yu Chuang

A core drilling mechanism in an elongate housing is rotated from a vertical storage position to a horizontal operable position. This permits the transport downhole of a drilling mechanism of sufficient longitudinal dimension to drill a core sample of substantial length perpendicular to the borehole sidewall. A fixed slotted plate and hydraulically actuated rotatable drive plate control the motion of the drilling mechanism, which is stored vertically for descent and ascent, and rotated 90-degrees and moved outward for core drilling. After a core sample is drilled, the drilling mechanism is tilted upward to break off the core, and then returned to its vertical storage position.

Apparatus for hard rock sidewall coring a borehole

A hydraulically-powered yo-yo reel for handling a marine seismic cable in shallow water. At the beginning of a recording episode, a partially reeled-in seismic cable is released to drift to a standstill behind a ship. Data are recorded. The cable is then accelerated to match the ships's velocity. Following the initial acceleration, the cable is superaccelerated as it is partially reeled in. A microprocessor adjusts a dwell time between recording episodes to compensate for small variations in the ship's velocity.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

Joel J Hebert