Abstract: A protection system for a drilling riser. The drilling riser includes a main drilling riser bore and a drilling riser annulus and extends from a floating installation to a location on a seafloor and is fluidly connected to a subsea BOP. The system includes a fluid conduit which extends from the floating installation to a lower region of the drilling riser. The fluid conduit is fluidly connected with the drilling riser annulus in the drilling riser. The fluid conduit provides at least one of a rapid pressure relief and a fluid bypass for the main drilling riser bore to prevent the drilling riser from an uncontrolled pressure build-up due to an inadvertent plugging or a restriction resulting in a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of the drilling riser being exceeded, if a restriction, a plug or a blockage exists in the drilling riser annulus or in riser outlets.

Abstract: A method for predicting a formation of hydrates in a wellbore/riser annulus during a drilling operation. The method includes logging actual mud properties. Actual sets of pressure and temperature data at given locations/intervals in the wellbore or in the drilling riser annulus are continuously measured and/or calculated. A theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates dependent on mud properties and pressure as a function of a true vertical depth in a well is determined. The theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates in a control system is stored. The measured and/or calculated actual sets of pressure and temperature data is compared with the theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates. A signal is issued if the measured and/or calculated actual sets of pressure and temperature data falls below or is lower than a predefined safety margin for the theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates.

Abstract: A lifting-device brake system includes at least one brake assembly configured to be activated by a spring force. The at least one brake assembly is configured to achieve a braking effect. At least one piston/cylinder assembly is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure via which the braking effect achieved by the at least one brake assembly can be reduced by at least partially overcoming the spring force. A hydraulic or pneumatic assembly is configured to provide the hydraulic or pneumatic pressure to actuate the at least one piston/cylinder assembly. The hydraulic or pneumatic assembly comprises an apparatus configured to maintain the hydraulic or pneumatic pressure applied to the at least one piston/cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A positioning and compensation system for a tubular element to be connected to a drill string includes a gripping arm assembly with a gripping device which holds the tubular element in a position for connection to the drill string, and a load supporting and compensating arrangement which supports at least a portion of a load of the tubular element. The load supporting and compensating arrangement includes a cylinder unit having a piston, a winch, a sheave which is connected to the gripping arm assembly, and a wire. The wire is arranged to run around the sheave with a first end being connected to the piston and a second end being connected to the winch. The winch and the cylinder unit are each arranged in a respective elevated position compared to a position of the sheave. The cylinder unit maintains a minimum tension in the wire.

Abstract: A method for detecting an influx in a wellbore with first and second pressure transmitters arranged in a fixed vertical distance in relation to each other. The method includes calculating an expected density of a return flow between the first and second pressure transmitters, continuously measuring an actual density of the return flow based on a measured pressure at the first and second pressure transmitters, comparing the calculated expected density of the return flow and the measured actual density of the return flow to determine the influx in the wellbore, and predicting a probability of hydrates forming in the well by measuring a temperature via a temperature transmitter arranged in a section of the well adjacent to the first and/or the second pressure transmitter, and using the temperature together with the measurements from the first and second pressure transmitters.

Abstract: A top drive for a drilling rig includes a top drive housing, a threaded element used in a drilling operation, the threaded element having a grooved surface, and a back-up wrench with a toothed surface which engages with the grooved surface of the threaded element. The back-up wrench is suspended from the top drive housing. The back-up wrench is movable in relation to the top drive housing so as to selectively engage the threaded element.

Abstract: A lifting arm arrangement for lifting a pipe includes a pipe stacking tool comprising a first end, a second end, and a pipe handling head arranged at the second end. The pipe handling head is configured to grip around the pipe. A gripper head is connected to the first end of the pipe stacking tool. A tilt shaft is configured to connect the pipe stacking tool and the gripper head so as to form an articulated joint. The articulated joint comprises a locked position in which the pipe stacking tool is prevented from tilting about the tilt shaft, and a neutral position in which the pipe stacking tool is allowed to tilt about the tilt shaft.

Abstract: A fluidically actuatable disk brake system includes brake cylinder pairs each including brake cylinders arranged on both sides of a brake disk in at least one brake caliper. Each brake cylinder includes a brake piston and a spring arrangement which applies a spring force toward the brake disk. First and second fluid connections are provided on the brake cylinder. The first and second fluid connections supply a fluid to the brake cylinder so that a force counteracting the spring force is applied to the brake piston. A 2/2-way valve is assigned either to the first or second fluid connection of first brake cylinders of a brake cylinder pair. The first or second fluid connection which is not assigned to the 2/2-way valve is fluidically connected to the respective other first or second fluid connection of a second brake cylinder of the brake cylinder pair.

Abstract: A gripping block includes a rear side with a largest rear side width, a front side with a smallest front side width and an outer surface with a friction generating surface arranged over at least a part of the outer surface, a first side face, and a second side face. The first side face and the second side face are arranged opposite of each other. The rear side abuts against an inner wall in a slot in a holding device. The largest rear side width is smaller than the smallest front side width.

Abstract: A lifting arm arrangement includes a gripper head arm, a lifting arm, and a lifting cylinder. A gripper head is fastened to a first gripper head arm end. A first lifting arm end is pivotally connected to the gripper head arm. A second lifting arm end is pivotally connected to a stationary lifting cylinder part. A second gripper head arm end is pivotally connected to a movable lifting cylinder part. The stationary lifting cylinder part comprises a cylinder with a cylinder cavity having first and second cylinder openings. A piston rod with a piston is arranged in the cylinder cavity. A first piston rod portion projects from a first piston end of the piston. A second piston rod portion projects from an opposite second piston end of the piston. Working areas of the first and second piston ends are substantially equal to each other.

Abstract: A method for replacing a length of a wire/cable in a hoisting system. The wire/cable extends from a storage drum to a winch. The method includes removing at least one lock which prevents a deadline anchor arranged between the storage drum and the winch from rotating, reeling onto the storage drum a first length of the wire/cable with a simultaneous coordinated operation of the deadline anchor and the storage drum, the simultaneous coordinated operation being controlled so that the wire/cable is in a continuous tension between the deadline anchor and the storage drum, securing the wire/cable to an attachment point, cutting a section of the wire/cable between the attachment point and the winch and removing the cut section of the wire/cable, reattaching the wire/cable remaining to the winch, reeling out a second length of the wire/cable from the storage drum, and securing the wire/cable to the deadline anchor.

Abstract: A storage system for storing elongate tubulars includes a base with a drive and a setback area for a vertical support of the elongate tubulars, an elongate column mounted on the base, and a first fingerboard assembly arranged on the elongate column. The base rotates about a vertical axis via the drive. The first fingerboard assembly includes at least one fingerboard. Each of the at least one fingerboard includes a plurality of storage slots arranged in a parallel, side-by-side configuration. Each of the plurality of storage slots receives a plurality of the elongate tubulars.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes a drive unit and a pump unit. The pump unit comprises a plurality of working chambers, a plurality of displacement elements, and at least three cylinders. The pump unit is configured to be double-acting.

Abstract: A method for determining a state of a drilling operation includes providing a first set of operational data of the drilling operation through a first time interval, providing a set of operational event dividers that delimit a plurality of second time intervals within the first time interval, for at least one of the plurality of second time intervals, providing a second set of operational data of the drilling operation through a second time interval, deriving characteristic values of the second set of operational data through the second time interval, and determining the state of the drilling operation in the second time interval based on the characteristic values.

Abstract: A method for predicting a formation of hydrates in a wellbore or in a riser annulus includes logging actual mud properties, continuously measuring and/or calculating actual sets of pressure and temperature data at given locations/intervals in the wellbore or in the riser annulus, determining a theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates dependent on mud properties and pressure as a function of a true vertical depth in a well, storing the theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates in a control system, comparing the measured and/or calculated actual sets of pressure and temperature data with the theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates, and issuing a signal from a control system if the measured and/or calculated actual sets of pressure and temperature data falls below or is lower than a predefined safety margin for the theoretical temperature profile for the formation of hydrates.

Abstract: A method for detecting an influx in a wellbore with first and second pressure transmitters arranged in a fixed vertical distance in relation to each other. The method includes calculating an expected density of a return flow between the first and second pressure transmitters, continuously measuring an actual density of the return flow based on a measured pressure at the first and second pressure transmitters, comparing the calculated expected density of the return flow and the measured actual density of the return flow to determine the influx in the wellbore, and predicting a probability of hydrates forming in the well by measuring a temperature via a temperature transmitter arranged in a section of the well adjacent to the first and/or the second pressure transmitter, and using the temperature together with the measurements from the first and second pressure transmitters.

Abstract: A method for scheduling a maintenance event for a machine used in drilling which includes providing a first well plan for a first well to be drilled over a first time period (tA) and a second well plan for a second well to be drilled over a second time period (tB), controlling a first computer program module for determining a projected first duty profile for the machine in the first time period and a projected second duty profile for the machine in the second time period, controlling a second computer program module for scheduling a maintenance event (tM1) for the machine based on the projected first duty profile and the projected second duty profile, and creating a new maintenance event (tM2) at a time prior to the second time period if the maintenance event (tM1) falls within the second time period.

Abstract: A method for improving a redundancy and an uptime in a SCADA network for controlling a well operation includes executing control systems for the well operation in identical virtual simulated environments on at least two servers, storing all data for the control systems in a designated redundant cluster storage system, and setting-up the at least two servers with a load balancing.

Abstract: A gripping device for tubular elements includes two gripping arms arranged opposite to each other which together forming an opening having a diameter, transfer elements, at least one piston rod connected to the two gripping arms via the transfer elements, at least one cylinder in which the at least one piston rod is configured to run, a stop device connected to the at least one piston rod, and an adjustment system configured to limit an axial movement of the stop device and thereby the diameter of the opening. The stop device is configured to cooperate with the adjustment system.

Abstract: A self-aligning apparatus for a lifting system includes a structure which includes a first element having a first projecting free end and a second projecting free end which each receive at least one sheave at a point of attachment to the first element, and at least two first points of rotation. The at least one sheave cooperates with at least one wire. The at least two first points of rotation are arranged above the at least one sheave's point of attachment to the first element so that the apparatus self-aligns during use in an uneven loading event.