Abstract: A drilling system for facilitating extraction of subterranean natural resources comprises a blow-out preventer arranged to close a borehole and divert a fluid to a choke valve operable by an electric choke actuator. A choke system is integrated into a drilling rig control system, such that a motor control center of the drilling control system also controls a variable control device that operates the electric choke actuator. The motor control center receives and transmits rig data, comprising both choke position data and rig control data. A user interface device, communicatively coupled to the motor control center, displays information pertaining to the rig data and is operable to transmit choke control commands to the motor control center for operational control of the electric choke actuator. The choke control system is remotely operable from a remote location that overrides the choke control system.

Abstract: An automated tubular handling system adapted to make-up or break-out tubulars that includes a rotary drive adapted to operatively grip a tubular to be connected to or disconnected from a tubular string, a controller adapted to receive and process data indicative of a rotation, torque, and minimum time value associated with a make-up or a break-out of the tubular string, and a user interface adapted to convey the received data, the predetermined values, or both, of the tubular make-up or break-out to an operator. The controller compares the rotation, torque, and minimum time values to acceptable predetermined values to determine when the make-up or the break-out is complete. Automated methods are also disclosed.