EZY-MARK FAQ & Facts

How does the Ezy-Mark compare with other core orientation systems available on an average cost per meter basis?

Based on standard rig operating costs for a full 24hr day and the combined advertised rental rates and running costs for using an orientation system, the Ezy-Mark™ system is 30% to 80% more cost effective than any other core orientation system available on the market today, mechanical or digital.
_{(*N.B. This cost comparison is valid from 01/01/05 and based on a basic Ezy-Mark™ kit with one tool, no Ezy-Mark Ori-Disks™, no pencils and orientations being conducted every second core run.)}

What if I do not want to orientate core every core run, do I still have to pay the extra cost of renting a kit with two tools in it?

No, the Ezy-Mark™ system is unique in that it can be operated with as few as one tool without interfering with drill productivity at a significantly reduced cost so long as the client is comfortable with obtaining core orientation intervals of no more than every second core run. If this is not acceptable and core orientations are required every core run then the Ezy-Mark™ system can be rented with two or even three tools for very remote situations where logistics and timeframes to ship tools for regular servicing may be an issue.

How much rig down time does the use of the Ezy-Mark cause?

When operated correctly and within accepted drilling practices, the Ezy-Mark™ will not create any drill rig down time at all.

How robust and reliable is the Ezy-Mark system?

The Ezy-Mark™ system is extremely robust and very reliable. It can withstand a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions as well as being extremely shock resistant, unlike other digital systems available today. Also unlike other systems on the market today mechanical or digital, you cannot get multiple and misleading orientation readings from the Ezy-Mark™ and the system is not time critical (no stop watches needed). The orientation has either worked or it hasn’t, there is no guessing and the uniquely patented three point of reference ori-ball system is smart enough to be able to indicate when an orientation has been successful or unsuccessful.

How often does the Ezy-Mark system need servicing and how much will it cost?

An Ezy-Mark™ tool should be serviced approximately every three to six months depending on frequency of use and environmental conditions. There is no cost to have your Ezy-Mark™ tool serviced or upgraded; all you need to do is contact your local agent and a replacement tool will be shipped to your site immediately while you are shipping the unserviceable tool back to your agent. The only thing a client is responsible for is the cost of freight to ship the exchange Ezy-Mark™ tools unless it is a warranty claim in which case even the freight is free.

How accurate is the Ezy-Mark system?

By using the unique and patented three point of reference Ori-Ball system that is unaffected by magnetism, the Ezy-Mark™ is able to consistently provide users with orientations translated onto physical core samples to within 5 degrees of true bottom dead centre in holes with the correct ground type and at angles greater than 5 degrees from vertical. The reason for the 5 degree tolerance range in transferring the data from the tool to the core is the same for all current core orientation systems available on the market today. A pencil, paint or pen marker or even a metal scribe must be used to physically transfer the orientation data and each of these implements has a physical width that must be taken into consideration. The more care taken and the narrower the implement used to transfer the Orientation line from the tool to the core, the more accurate the orientation. The three balls almost completely negate the possibility of a worn or damaged ball or ball race or even a digital component that may have experience temperature or physical stress from giving a false orientation reading and because the orientation data is almost directly physically transferred from the tool via up to three independent physical imprints onto the core, the chance of error in transferring the data from the ori-section of the tool to the core is dramatically reduced. Other systems require that the data or at least the zero reference point is collected from one end of the core tube and transferred onto the core at the opposite end in the lifter case. Even if great care is taken, core in the lifter case of a core tube is quite often compromised in the removal process thus reducing the integrity of the data transferred and the shear number of steps needed to transfer the reference increases the possibility of operator error.

Do you have to pay a deposit to rent an Ezy-Mark kit?

No, unless otherwise negotiated all Ezy-Mark™ kits are paid for on a monthly basis in arrears. However, credit background checks for new customers will be necessary and all orders must be accompanied by at least an official company order number.

What happens to the integrity of the core orientation when core is damaged or lost while trying to remove core from the Lifter Case screwed onto a core tube?

Ezy-Mark™ orientates core at the beginning of the core run, not the end. Therefore the core sample that has been orientated is protected within the core tube and kept in pristine condition. Under normal conditions the core does not need to be hammered out of the tube to conduct an Ezy-Mark™

Can I carry the Ezy-Mark easily as personal airline baggage to site if I need it in a hurry?

Yes, the Ezy-Mark™ is supplied in a robust, secure and weather resistant plastic carry case that with correct customs documentation can be easily checked as luggage with most airlines for ease and efficiency of transport. Otherwise 2iC and/or its agents can fully organise shipment to and from site for you.

Will I be limited in the core barrel length that I can use when drilling with a conventional core barrel in tight underground situations if I choose to use the Ezy-Mark?

No, because the Ezy-Mark™ system interfaces directly with the bottom of the borehole and core during orientation the outer and/or inner core barrel does not need to stay in one piece when withdrawn from the hole as with other orientation systems. Therefore, when drilling conventionally underground you are not restricted to the length of core barrel that you can withdraw in one piece within the space that you have to operate within, 10 meter or 20 meter core barrels are not a problem for the Ezy-Mark™ system.

In extreme environmental conditions such as extreme cold or poor light, is it necessary to keep the inner tube in its total length and exposed to the elements while transferring the orientation data from the Ezy-Mark to the core sample?

No, with the introduction of the new Ezy-Mark™ core cradle, core samples can be easily removed from the core tube and hand held near a convenient light source and/or in a sheltered environment such as a drill shack to accurately and precisely transfer the orientation data from the tool to the core. No need to stand our in the extreme cold or heat to orientate the core any more.

Is there any grace period granted for the shipment of the Ezy-Mark to and from a job site or do I have to pay for the entire time your product is in transit as well as while I have it on-site?

Yes, 2iC Australia Pty Ltd shares the cost of down time due to shipping its rental products to and from site. 2iC and its agents provide our clients with a 3 day or a 5 day (depending on your location), charge free grace period at the beginning of each kit rental period to help share the burden of shipment down time. The kit will remain on hire until the day it arrives back from the client at the place it was originally hired from.

Does the Ezy-Mark reduce the amount of core I can drill in each core run?

No, the Ezy-Mark™ is provided with inner and outer core tube extensions to make up for the space that would normally be taken up within the core tube by the Ezy-Mark™ tool. In fact in some instances such as conventional and wireline underground drilling operations the adoption of the Ezy-Mark™ system may even allow you to drill more core per core run than can be drilled with other core orientation systems dramatically increasing productivity.

Can the Ezy-Mark provide a permanent record in the core tray of the orientation conducted other than the orientation line drawn on the core?

Yes, unlike currently available digital and some mechanical orientation systems, the Ezy-Mark™ system is unique in that it offers a permanent physical record in the core tray as an optional extra by means of the patented Ezy-Mark™ Ori-Disk™. The Ori-Disk™ is a low cost, sunlight resistant, plastic disk that can be attached to an Ezy-Mark™ tool either every core run, on alternate core runs or not at all. This provides our clients with an easy way to verify the orientation mark made by the operator at the drill site, back at the core shed, or allows independent auditing of the orientations conducted on core at any time in the future. Each disk also contains information relating to hole depth much the same as a core block allowing additional cost reduction by negating the need for traditional core blocks in some instances.