Coring tools exhibiting reduced rotational eccentricity and related methods

Abstract

Coring tools configured to procure core samples of earth formations may include a coring bit comprising a cutting structure configured to cut a core sample and an outer barrel connected to the coring bit. The outer barrel may be configured to apply axial and rotational force to the coring bit. An inner barrel may be located within the outer barrel and may be configured to receive a core sample within the inner barrel. A sponge material may line an inner surface of the inner barrel and may be configured to absorb a fluid from the core sample. A stabilizer may be connected to the outer barrel. A distance between the stabilizer and an upper extent of the coring bit may be less than 30 feet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coring tool configured to procure a core sample of an earth formation, comprising:
 a coring bit comprising a cutting structure configured to cut a core sample;   an outer barrel connected to the coring bit, the outer barrel configured to apply axial and rotational force to the coring bit;   an inner barrel rotatably located within the outer barrel, the inner barrel being configured to receive the core sample within the inner barrel;   a sponge material lining an inner surface of the inner barrel, the sponge material being configured to absorb a fluid from the core sample; and   a stabilizer connected to the outer barrel, wherein a distance between the stabilizer and an upper extent of the coring bit is less than 30 feet.   
     
     
         2 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , wherein at least one blade of the stabilizer is rotatable with respect to the outer barrel and configured to remain at least substantially rotationally stationary relative to the earth formation during coring. 
     
     
         3 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the stabilizer is about 0.125 inch or less smaller than an outer diameter of the coring bit at an outer gage of the cutting structure. 
     
     
         4 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one blade of the stabilizer extends at least substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the coring tool. 
     
     
         5 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one blade of the stabilizer is extensible to reduce the distance between the surface of the at least one blade and a wall of a borehole. 
     
     
         6 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer is integrated into the outer barrel of the coring tool, such that the stabilizer is located within a longitudinal extent of the outer barrel of the coring tool. 
     
     
         7 . The coring tool of  claim 6 , wherein the stabilizer is located in a lower half of the coring tool. 
     
     
         8 . The coring tool of  claim 7 , wherein the stabilizer is located in a lower third of the coring tool. 
     
     
         9 . The coring tool of  claim 6 , wherein the stabilizer is located in an upper half of the coring tool. 
     
     
         10 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , wherein the stabilizer forms part of a distinct sub attached to the coring tool, such that the stabilizer is located above a longitudinal extent of the coring tool. 
     
     
         11 . The coring tool of  claim 10 , wherein the distance between the stabilizer and the upper extent of the coring tool is less than 10 feet. 
     
     
         12 . The coring tool of  claim 1 , further comprising another stabilizer connected to the outer barrel, wherein a distance between the stabilizer and the other stabilizer is about 50 feet or less. 
     
     
         13 . The coring tool of  claim 12 , wherein the distance between the stabilizer and the other stabilizer is about 30 feet or less. 
     
     
         14 . The coring tool of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one blade of the other stabilizer is rotatable with respect to the outer barrel. 
     
     
         15 . A method of procuring a core sample of an earth formation utilizing a coring tool, comprising:
 positioning a coring bit connected to an outer barrel within a borehole, the coring bit comprising a cutting structure configured to cut a core sample, the outer barrel configured to apply axial and rotational force to the coring bit;   rotating the outer barrel and coring bit under load to advance the coring bit into an underlying earth formation and form the core sample;   receiving at least a portion of the core sample within an inner barrel located within the outer barrel as the inner barrel remains at least substantially rotationally stationary relative to the earth formation, the inner barrel including a sponge material lining an inner surface of the inner barrel, the sponge material being configured to absorb a fluid from the core sample; and   stabilizing the coring tool utilizing a stabilizer connected to the outer barrel, wherein a distance between the stabilizer and an upper extent of the coring bit is less than 30 feet.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer comprises stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer as at least one blade of the stabilizer remains at least substantially rotationally stationary relative to the earth formation during coring. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer comprises stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer, an outer diameter of the stabilizer being about 0.125 inch or less smaller than an outer diameter of the coring bit at the outer gage of the cutting structure. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising selectively, radially extending the at least one blade of the stabilizer to reduce a distance between the at least one blade and a wall of the borehole. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer comprises stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer integrated into the outer barrel of the coring tool, such that the stabilizer is located within a longitudinal extent of the outer barrel of the coring tool. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer comprises stabilizing the coring tool utilizing the stabilizer forming part of a distinct sub attached to the coring tool, such that the stabilizer is located above a longitudinal extent of the coring tool.