Advanced coring apparatus and method

A system of apparatus for use in a coring tool measures the height of a core sample being recovered and transmits data relative thereto to the surface of a formation concurrently during the coring operation. A transmitter of an electromagnetic ranging system rides atop a core sample being formed in the barrel chamber and a receiver member of the electromagnetic ranging system is fixed at a top end of the barrel it known distance above the transmitter. During the coring operation the transmitter transmits a fixed frequency signal to the receiver through drilling fluid disposed therebetween. The distance between the transmitter and receiver decreases and the amplitude of the transmitted signal changes as a function of the separation distance between the transmitter and receiver as the core sample enters the inner barrel and the height of the core sample within the barrel is determined as a function of time and depth. The pressure of the drilling fluid is modulated to transmit a series of pressure pulses from the barrel to the surface encoded to produce a binary digital or pulse-width modulation signal. The electromagnetic ranging system may be incorporated into a coring tool having a core bit disposed at a lower end and a full closure ball valve and core retention assembly movable to a closed position to close the bottom end of the inner barrel and prevent the loss of core collected in the inner barrel chamber.