Abstract: A drill string management apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a reel that stores a length of drill string and supplies the drill string to a drilling system. The drill string may be wrapped around a circumference of a reel in a coil. The radius of the coil may be large enough that the drill string is not deformed inelastically by wrapping it around the reel. The apparatus may be designed to allow the drill string to rotate about its longitudinal axis, even as the drill string is wrapped in a coil around the reel.

Abstract: A drill string management apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a reel that stores a length of drill string and supplies the drill string to a drilling system. The drill string may be wrapped around a circumference of a reel in a coil. The radius of the coil may be large enough that the drill string is not deformed inelastically by wrapping it around the reel. The apparatus may be designed to allow the drill string to rotate about its longitudinal axis, even as the drill string is wrapped in a coil around the reel.

Abstract: A saver sub assembly has a body capable of coupling with a quill, and a split ring capable of coupling with the quill and the body and capable of keeping the quill and body together. The body has splines to prevent relative rotation between the quill and the body. The body may be hollow, and/or have a split ring retainer to maintain the position of the split ring. The saver sub assembly may also have one or more O-rings positioned between the body and the quill. The body of the saver sub assembly may have a threaded pin for engaging a drill string.

Abstract: A well casing system is disclosed for the handling and make-up of casing on a drilling rig in conjunction with a top drive is disclosed. The system comprises a top drive, a casing make-up assembly, links, link tilts, and transfer and lifting elevators. The operator can remotely manipulate the elevators to pick up and position a joint of casing above the casing already secured in the drilling hole. The operator can then engage the gripper head and use the rotational capability of the top drive to remotely couple the two joints of casing together.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided in which a complementary set of pinions, each driven by a pair of racks, are located on opposite sides of the valve to be actuated. The racks are part of an annular bearing assembly and are coupled to one another through a hydraulic cylinder or some other displacement device. A pinion retaining sleeve is provided to shield the racks and pinions and prevents parts of the valve actuator from being thrown in operation. The piston retaining sleeve may include a maintenance aperture for installing or repairing a pinion and a second aperture for viewing the rotation of the pinion. The bearing assemblies each include a bearing housing and a bearing retainer that cooperate to shield the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A well casing system is disclosed for the handling and make-up of casing on a drilling rig in conjunction with a top drive is disclosed. The system comprises a top drive, a casing make-up assembly, links, link tilts, and transfer and lifting elevators. The operator can remotely manipulate the elevators to pick up and position a joint of casing above the casing already secured in the drilling hole. The operator can then engage the gripper head and use the rotational capability of the top drive to remotely couple the two joints of casing together.

Abstract: A well casing system is disclosed for the handling and make-up of casing on a drilling rig in conjunction with a top drive is disclosed. The system comprises a top drive, a casing make-up assembly, links, link tilts, and transfer and lifting elevators. The operator can remotely manipulate the elevators to pick up and position a joint of casing above the casing already secured in the drilling hole. The operator can then engage the gripper head and use the rotational capability of the top drive to remotely couple the two joints of casing together.

Abstract: A valve actuator is provided in which a complementary set of pinions, each driven by a pair of racks, are located on opposite sides of the valve to be actuated. The racks are part of an annular bearing assembly and are coupled to one another through a hydraulic cylinder or some other displacement device. A pinion retaining shield is provided to shield the racks and pinions and prevents parts of the valve actuator from being thrown in operation. The piston retaining shield may include a maintenance aperture for installing or repairing a pinion and a second aperture for viewing the rotation of the pinion. The bearing assemblies each include a bearing housing and a bearing retainer ring that cooperate to shield the bearing assembly.

Abstract: A power tong wrench having an open slot to accommodate a range of pipe diameters capable of making and breaking pipe threads and spinning in or out the threads and in which hydraulic power is supplied with a pump disposed within a rotary assembly, which pump is powered through a non-mechanical coupling, preferably magnetic, to a motor disposed outside the rotary assembly.

Abstract: A portable top drive drilling unit that is a self-contained assembly of components adapted for quick installation in a drilling rig and which requires a minimum of modification to the rig structure.

Abstract: A backup tool for engaging a drill pipe body having elongated jaws such that the pressure exerted by the jaws on the drill pipe body is sufficiently distributed to not damage the drill pipe body.

Abstract: A portable top drive drilling unit that is a self-contained assembly of components adapted for quick installation in a drilling rig and which requires a minimum of modification to the rig structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses structures which enable the construction or conversion of drilling rigs in which the rotary table and kelly are replaced by a top drive rotating mechanism. Furthermore, torque guide is provided to control lateral movement of the top drive and resist reactionary rotational forces induced by the top drive, without applying additional forces to the mast of the rig.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely controlling the rotation of a drill string. A sensor monitors the rotation of the drill string and transmits the rotational information to a computer. The computer controls the rotation of the motor driving the drill string and rotates the drill string through an angle input by the operator. The computer may also utilize the sensor's rotational information to oscillate the drill string between two predetermined angles. The computer may also receive orientation information from a downhole tool sensor. The downhole tool information may be combined with the rotational information to enable the computer to accurately reorient the downhole tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely controlling the rotation of a drill string. A sensor monitors the rotation of the drill string and transmits the rotational information to a computer. The computer controls the rotation of the motor driving the drill string and rotates the drill string through an angle input by the operator. The computer may also utilize the sensor's rotational information to oscillate the drill string between two predetermined angles. The computer may also receive orientation information from a downhole tool sensor. The downhole tool information may be combined with the rotational information to enable the computer to accurately reorient the downhole tool. REEXAMINATION RESULTS The questions raised in reexamination proceeding No. 90/011,617, filed Apr. 1, 2011, have been considered, and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.