Abstract: A rotating head having a bowl assembly and a rotating assembly disposed in a bowl opening formed in the bowl assembly. The rotating assembly consists of an elastomeric member having a bearing wall formed thereon bearingly engaging a portion of the bowl assembly for bearingly supporting the elastomeric member in the bowl assembly. The elastomeric member sealingly engages a portion of the bowl assembly for forming a seal between the rotating assembly and the bowl assembly.

Abstract: An improved rotary blowout preventer having a rotary housing rotably mounted within an outer housing and carrying an annular packer assembly hydraulically actuated by fluid circulated through the outer housing by hydraulic pumps. An annular adapter is detachably and reattachably connected to an upper rim of the rotary housing. The adapter has a tubular, elastomeric sleeve detachably and reattachably connected thereto that depends within the rotary housing adjacent the packer assembly. A drill pipe is received within the sleeve and is sealably engaged thereby when the packer assembly is urged inwardly by the circulated hydraulic fluid. The sleeve protects the packer assembly from wear and is easily replaced with other sleeves of like configuration. The sleeve has a plurality of rigid grippers seated therein which extend flush with an inner surface thereof for gripping the drill pipe to facilitate concomitant rotation of the sleeve and rotary housing therewith.

Abstract: An improved rotary blowout preventer having a rotary housing rotably mounted within an outer housing and carrying an annular packer assembly hydraulically actuated by fluid circulated through the outer housing by hydraulic pumps. An annular adapter is detachably and reattachably connected to an upper rim of the rotary housing. The adapter has a tubular, elastomeric sleeve detachably and reattachably connected thereto that depends within the rotary housing adjacent the packer assembly. A drill pipe is received within the sleeve and is sealably engaged thereby when the packer assembly is urged inwardly by the circulated hydraulic fluid. The sleeve protects the packer assembly from wear and is easily replaced with other sleeves of like configuration. The sleeve has a plurality of rigid grippers seated therein which extend flush with an inner surface thereof for gripping the drill pipe to facilitate concomitant rotation of the sleeve and rotary housing therewith.

Abstract: An improved rotary blowout preventer having a rotary housing rotably mounted within an outer housing and carrying an annular packer assembly hydraulically actuated by fluid circulated through the outer housing by hydraulic pumps. An annular adapter is detachably and reattachably connected to an upper rim of the rotary housing. The adapter has a tubular, elastomeric sleeve detachably and reattachably connected thereto that depends within the rotary housing adjacent the packer assembly. A drill pipe is received within the sleeve and is sealably engaged thereby when the packer assembly is urged inwardly by the circulated hydraulic fluid. The sleeve protects the packer assembly from wear and is easily replaced with other sleeves of like configuration. The sleeve has a plurality of rigid grippers seated therein which extend flush with an inner surface thereof for gripping the drill pipe to facilitate concomitant rotation of the sleeve and rotary housing therewith.

Abstract: A drilling head with dual rotating stripper rubbers designed for high pressure drilling operations ensuring sealing under the extreme conditions of high flow or high pressure wells such as horizontal drilling. The dual stripper rubbers seal on the same diameter yet are manufactured of different materials for different sealing functions. The lower stripper rubber is manufactured from a more rigid, abrasive resistant material to divert the flow from the well. The upper stripper rubber is manufactured of a softer sealing material that will closely conform to the outer diameter of the drill string thereby preventing the flow of fluids through the drilling head.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for moving the top drive of a top drive subterranean drilling system from the drilling track extending along the length of the derrick includes a movable working track, a secondary track pivotably connected to the working track, and a power assembly. The working track is connected to the derrick and is transversely movable between a first position in which the working track is aligned with the drilling track and a second position in which the working track is transversely displaced from alignment with the drilling track. The secondary track is pivotable between a skewed position in which the secondary track is not transversely coplanar with the drilling track and working track and an in-line position in which the secondary track is about transversely coplanar with the drilling track and the working track. The secondary track is transversely movable with the working track so that the secondary track is aligned with the drilling track when the working track is in the second position.

Abstract: A rotating head having a bowl assembly and a rotating assembly disposed in a bowl opening formed in the bowl assembly. The rotating assembly comprises and elastomeric member and a rotating bushing. The rotating bushing is connected to an outer peripheral surface of the elastomeric member. The rotating bushing bearingly contacts a portion of the bowl assembly during the operation of the rotating head wherein the elastomeric member and the rotating bushing are rotated and the elastomeric member sealingly engages a portion of the bowl assembly for forming a seal between the rotating assembly and the bowl assembly. The rotating assembly is removable from the bowl assembly and can be replaced with another rotating assembly thereby simultaneously replacing the elastomeric member and the rotating bushing.

Abstract: A split, solid mass, drive bushing-drive plate for use when a kelly is used to sever a length of well casing. The invention fits into the master bushing and prevents wear on the corners between the flat sides of the kelly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for drilling wells in which the annulus between the casing and drill string is sealed below the kelly and blowout preventers and drilling fluid returns are conducted from below the seal to the exterior through the drilling head. The annulus may be controlled below the seal to permit lubricating the seal through the blowout preventers while maintaining the well under complete control. A surface controlled subsurface valve may control drilling fluid returns.

Abstract: In an earth drill rig having a drive with a drive stud projecting from it, a Kelly bar, connected to drive a rotary table, and a coupling device associated with the Kelly bar and drive stud for selectively connecting the drive stud to a lower end of the Kelly bar, and a mast carrying the Kelly bar and adapted to be rotated about a pivot axis offset from the long axis of the Kelly bar from an erected position to a folded position, during which the Kelly bar is arcuately translated away from the drive stud, and to be rotated from the folded position to the erected position, during which the lower end of the Kelly bar is arcuately translated toward the drive stud, the Kelly bar is moved axially in a direction away from the drive stud and moved axially in a direction toward the drive stud to permit the coupling and uncoupling of the Kelly bar and the drive stud.

Abstract: A placement and removal apparatus for use in insertion and withdrawal of a well point and the like includes a vertical support column and a gripping carriage that may be moved vertically along the support column. The gripping carriage includes a carriage frame with first upper and second lower clamp assemblies vertically spaced apart and disposed on the carriage frame. Each clamp assembly may be rotated independently about a common vertical axis of rotation. Opposed jaws associated with the clamp assemblies have a well point engaging surface and may be moved to engage about a surface of a well point disposed threbetween so that the gripping carriage may apply vertical and rotational forces to the well point.

Abstract: A drilling machine for drilling large drill holes in rock, especially underground, comprises a support, a rotary drilling drive longitudinally displaceable on the support in a drilling direction and provided with a reducing transmission and drive motors. The reducing transmission including a planetary transmission which is transmissively and selectively connectable with two of the drive motors as a superposed transmission.

Abstract: A rotary drilling head having an upper body incorporating a kelly bushing removably clamped onto a stationary spool. The clamp assembly is hydraulically controlled to permit remote operation and access to the drive bearings and stripper rubbers within the drilling head. Secondary manual means for unclamping the assembly are also provided. The hydraulic clamp includes an annular piston movably disposed within a cylinder and acting upon bearing members to lock and unlock the clamp assembly. Hydraulic pressure is utilized to move the piston within the cylinder. A spring biases the piston towards the locked position to prevent inadvertent unclamping.

Abstract: A stripper rubber or rubber seal apparatus such as used in drilling operations which includes a pair of transversely mating rubber elements which are cooperable to encompass a drill string and are carried by a diametrically split clamp ring that is engageable with a mounting ring carried by the drilling apparatus in a manner that the mating rubber elements may be brought simultaneously into sealing engagement with the mounting ring and into mating sealed engagement with each other about a drill pipe or other ancillary structure such as a rotary drive bushing.

Abstract: A rotary rock drilling machine comprises a carriage having two ends, a rotary drilling drive arranged longitudinally displaceable on the carriage, a guiding head arranged on one end of the carriage, the guiding head and the rotary drilling drive defining a longitudinal axis of the machine, a drilling rod composed of a plurality of drilling rod parts which are releasably connected with one another, the drilling rod parts having a plurality of screw convolutions, the drilling rod parts having one end having a coupling pin with a snap pin and another end having a coupling bush with an engaging opening for the snap pin, a positioning device in the guiding head arranged to arrest a rotary position of the drilling rod, and an unlocking device for the snap pin, the positioning device including a locking bar which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and displaceable radially to the drilling rod, and which is insertable in at least one radial slot provided in the screw convolution of the drilling r

Abstract: A torque reactor for a top drive drilling rig converts reactive torque on the top drive housing into a rotational torque on a torque shaft. The torque shaft extends vertically in the derrick parallel with the drive stem. A torque case carries two bushings, one of the bushings receiving the drive stem of the top drive and the other slidingly receiving the torque shaft. The drive unit bushing is rigidly connected to the housing of the top drive. The torque shaft bushing will transmit rotational force to the torque shaft. Linkages interconnect the bushings. Rotational torque imposed on the drive unit bushing creates a rotational torque in the torque shaft bushing. That torque is transmitted to the torque shaft which is held stationary to absorb the torque.

Abstract: A drill string is rotated by a top drive system and includes a floating sub which interconnects the upper end thereof with the drill pipe, and a bit at the lower end thereof. The bit is connected to the lower end of the drill pipe by means of a shock absorber. The floating sub prevents vibrational energy from the drill string from damaging the top drive system while the shock absorber prevents vibrational energy from damaging the bit and vice versa.

Abstract: A rotating blowout preventor is comprised of a rotating head assembly which is removably received at the upper end of a main housing. The rotating parts of the head assembly are held fastened together by the provision of a unique locking plate arrangement. An internal bearing chamber is formed within the head assembly and is protected from contamination by an unobvious arrangement of the coacting parts which form the rotating head. The head assembly can rapidly be disassembled without the use of special tools, thereby making field repair of the apparatus possible. The main housing has a replaceable washpipe and seat that likewise is easily field replaceable.

Abstract: A well-logging laboratory, for use with a well-logging tool which is suspended within a borehole by a wireline, includes a moveable frame upon which the wireless drum is mounted, and a moveable bulkhead is associated with the frame and various well-logging apparatus can be secured to the bulkhead, whereby the frame and bulkhead may be assembled as a modular unit, and moved within the well-logging laboratory as a modular unit.

Abstract: A drilling head with an upper body assembly removably clamped onto a stationary spool via a bayonet-type coupler clamp rotated into clamped and unclamped positions by a remote controlled hydraulic motor connected to the clamp by a ring and pinion gear. The upper body assembly has a kelly bushing, a corrugated drive bushing rotatable with the kelly bushing, a drive ring rotatable with the drive bushing a bearing assembly surrounding the drive ring, and an elastomeric stripper connected to the drive ring for rotation therewith. The stripper is adapted for sealing engagement with a rotating kelly drive which slides down through the drilling head. Quick connect/disconnect lubrication fittings on the clamp and upper body assembly are releasably mated upon rotation of the clamp to the clamped position to provide lubrication from a single lubrication line to both the bearing assembly and seals via passageways formed in the outer body of the upper body assembly.

Abstract: A rotary drilling apparatus is disclosed, in which the pipe string is both lifted and lowered, as well as rotated, by an opposed pair of endless chains, eliminating the need for a high drilling tower structure. An advantageous form of gripping mechanism, attached to the chain links, enables the pipe string to be gripped with extremely heavy force, with the gripping means automatically confirming to pipe diameters of a variety of sizes and also conforming to the pipe coupling elements, as well as to the pipe areas inbetween, so that manipulation of the pipe string can be continuous. The gripping assembly includes a plurality of articulated gripping elements supported at each end by pivoted support arms. This assembly is urged against the pipe string by high pressure, hydraulic pistons.

Abstract: The technical field of the invention generally concerns groundline reinforcement of elongate objects such as a pole (20) and, in particular, a portable appartus (50) for installing an improved cylindrical split casing (30) around both the subterranean and above-ground portions of such an elongate object without cutting, moving, or otherwise disturbing it. The split casing (30) is assembled from two partial cylinders (32) having helical threads (34) formed at one end for engaging the ground (24) about the pole (20). Assembly of these two partial cylinders (32) about the pole (20) establishes a hollow annulus (44) between the pole (20) and the split casing (30). The apparatus (50) for installing the split casing (30) includes a split shell casing rotary drive (52) which is rigidly secured circumferentially about the assembled split casing (30). Also included in the apparatus (50) is a rotary driver (90) which mates with, engages, and is supported upon the split shell casing rotary drive (52).

Abstract: A spinner for rotating a pipe, such as a spinner mandrel, including a chambered frame having aligned openings through which the pipe can be inserted, drive assembly, such as a sprocket, rotatably mounted in the chamber, endless flexible spinning member, such as a multistrand roller chain, normally slackly encircling the pipe and the drive assembly, and clutch assembly, such as an idler sprocket in engagement with the multistrand roller chain and a hydraulically actuatable piston for laterally moving the idler sprocket, for decreasing the slack sufficiently to force the endless spinning member into frictional rotational driving engagement with the pipe. The preferred embodiment comprises a kelly spinner for use on an oil rig for independently spinning the kelly in order to more safely connect and disconnect drill pipe joints with the kelly during drilling operations.

Abstract: A rotary drilling head wherein rotary friction between the rotary spindle assembly and the spindle housing is limited by improvements in bearing and seal lubrication and by seal structure such that the gripping action of a resiliently flexible packer on a drill string provides a rotary drive connection sufficient to impart rotation to the spindle assembly through rotation of the drill string.

Abstract: Drilling head incorporating downwardly facing lip type bearing seals, stationary seal cartridge for head seal, rotating replaceable seal bushing for head seal, and optional screw connection for removable side outlet.

Abstract: A stripper packer having a mounting collar to which a stripper rubber is releasably secured by compressive clamping means in a manner such that the compressively deformed stripper rubber is maintained in releasable fluid pressure-tight face sealing engagement with the mounting collar.

Abstract: A drilling head comprises a tubular body adapted for connection above a well head and having a removable side outlet with a replaceable wear bushing. An assembly removably secured in the head includes a stator and rotor with bearing means and rotating seal means therebetween. A replaceable tubular, kelly seal boot or stripper carried by the rotor includes an enlarged upper end which diverts drilling mud away from the rotating seal and toward the side outlet. Lubricating means is provided for the rotating seal.

Abstract: A rotary blowout preventer having a radially compressible packing to be sealingly engaged with and rotated by a drill pipe or kelly and a hydraulically actuated wedging piston for compressing the packing is provided with a rotatable bearing support which in an exemplary embodiment includes an inverted truncated cone interposed between the packing and the piston, which is rotatably mounted to the piston by a plurality of bearing races, along with a thrust bearing interposed between the packing and the housing enable the packing to rotate relative to the housing and prevents upward axial motion of the packing.

Abstract: Improvements in the rotating head assembly of a rotating blowout preventor. The rotating head assembly includes a stripper rubber which has an upper annular area attached to the lower annular end of a metal support member. The support member extends upwardly into fixed relationship respective to part of the rotating head. The stripper rubber downwardly depends into concentrically arranged, spaced annular body members. The inner annular body has an axial passageway formed therethrough for telescopingly receiving a rotating member in sealed relationship therewith. The outer annular member has an outer circumferentially extending wall surface which rotatably engages the lower marginal end of a fixed washpipe. The inner and outer annular members are made integral respective to the upper annular area of the stripper rubber, and are separated from one another by a downwardly opening annular recess.

Abstract: A wireline protector for protecting an electrical wireline used in a downhole drilling operation. During the operation of adding additional drill string members to the drill string, the electrical wireline is encased by and clamped within the wireline protector thereby guarding it against damage by any slippage of the slip members. The wireline protector includes an elongated section that is arranged to extend through the opening in the rotary table through which the drill string passes in such a manner so as not to interfere with the drill string and a second section substantially perpendicular to the elongated section. The elongated section has an elongated opening into which the portion of the wireline passing through the rotary table can be inserted so that it is substantially surrounded and guarded by the elongated section. After the wireline is inserted into this elongated section, a clamping member acts to grip the wireline so as to retain it in place.

Abstract: An improved rotary drilling head assembly comprising a main housing having an axial bore therethrough; a stripper assembly disposed within the housing axial bore; and a stripper support assembly rotatingly supporting the stripper assembly. The stripper support assembly is removably attachable to the main housing and comprises an inner skirt member which is configured to extend about and to be supported on an exterior support surface of the main housing; an outer bearing housing configured to extend about and to be bearingly interconnected to the inner skirt member; a stripper clamp assembly clamping the stripper assembly to the outer bearing housing; and a clamping assembly removably attaching the inner skirt member to the exterior support surface such that the entire stripper support assembly of the drilling head assembly is removable from the housing as a unitary assembly by disengaging the clamping assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the drilling head includes a body or spool having a flow bore and a removable side outlet. Upon removal of the side outlet, the drilling head will pass through most rotary tables. The drilling head further includes a closure member for closing the annulus between that portion of the drilling head above the side outlet and a drive tube, such as a kelly, extending through the drilling head flow bore. The closure member includes a nonrotating support tube and a rotating seal tube adapted to form a nonrotating seal with the drive tube. The seal tube is rotatably supported by bearings within the support tube. The closure member is small enough to pass through even rotary tables that are too small to pass the drilling head.A segmented clamp secures the closure member to the drilling head body around one end of the flow bore. The clamp includes at least two segments, for fast actuation, having one end connected to a variable length linkage.

Abstract: A rotating head assembly having roller thrust bearings rotatably journaling an inner barrel is provided with pump means for continuous forced circulation of lubricating oil to, and around, the thrust bearings during operation. A lubricating oil chamber substantially surrounds the bearings, which chamber is effectively sealed against leakage of oil fluids, and other debris, into the chamber and lubricating oil out of the chamber. The lower end of the rotatably journaled inner barrel is provided with a stripper rubber structured to enable use of the head with drill pipe of diverse outer diameters.

Abstract: A rotating blowout preventor having a rotating head to which a stripper assembly is attached. The stripper rubber of the stripper assembly has an axial passageway through which a rotating member is telescopingly received. The stripper rubber has an upper, conical face which downwardly slopes inwardly towards the axial passageway. The stripper assembly is mounted to an annular metal doughnut member having an axial passageway formed therethrough which is slightly larger in inside diameter as compared to the outside diameter of the rotating member extending along the axial centerline of the RBOP. The doughnut has a lower conical face which downwardly slopes inwardly towards the axial centerline of the RBOP, and which is placed closely adjacent to the upper conical face of the stripper rubber.

Abstract: An improved stripper rubber for a rotating blowout preventor. The stripper rubber has an upper annular area attached to the lower end of a metal support member. The support member extends upwardly into fixed relationship respective to part of the rotating head of a rotating blowout preventor. The stripper rubber downwardly depends into concentrically arranged, spaced annular body members. The inner annular body has an axial passageway formed therethrough for telescopingly receiving a rotating member in sealed relationship therewith. The outer annular member has an outer circumferentially extending wall surface which rotatably engages the lower marginal end of a washpipe. The inner and outer annular members are made integral respective to the stripper rubber, and are separated from one another by a downwardly opening annular recess.

Abstract: A drill rig for drilling wells having a derrick adapted to hold and lower a conductor string and drill pipe string. A support frame is fixed to the derrick to extend over the well to be drilled, and a rotary table, for holding and rotating drill pipe strings, is movably mounted thereon. The table is displaceable between an active position in alignment with the axis of the well and an inactive position laterally spaced therefrom. A drill pipe holder is movably mounted on the frame below the rotary table for displacement between a first position laterally of the axis of the well and a second position in alignment with the axis of the well. The rotary table and said drill pipe holder are displaced in opposition to each other, so that the rotary table may be removed from alignment with the axis of the well and said drill pipe string simultaneously held without removal from said well.

Abstract: In a drilling head assembly for rotary well drilling a tubular member has an external screw thread near its lower end, with the outer surface of the member below the thread tapering downwardly to its lower end to form a sealing surface. Screwed onto the thread is a metal ring that extends down past the sealing surface and is provided with an annular recess encircling and facing the sealing surface, from which it is spaced. A resilient sealing member encircles the ring and is secured to it, with the portion of the ring beside the sealing surface and below it embedded in the sealing member which also fills the annular recess in the ring. The sealing member converges downwardly below the ring to a neck portion, and the inner surface of the sealing member converges from above the annular recess downwardly to the neck portion so that the sealing member between the tapered sealing surface and the encircling portion of the ring is compressed by them to form a seal.

Abstract: An improved kelly is provided with a drive section which has a uniform cross section defined by three generally flat drive sides alternating with three generally arcuate sides. The three arcuate sides are spaced an equal radii from the central axis of the kelly and the three flat drive sides lie in planes that form an equilateral triangle therebetween.The improved kelly is driven by an improved mating kelly drive bushing which has three rollers positioned so as to evenly transmit torque to the three flat drive sides of the kelly simultaneously.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for positioning a kelly drive bushing of a surface drilling assembly in spaced relationship to an associated rotary table. The adapter permits the wireline of an electronic steering assembly to pass through the central aperture in the rotary table below the drive bushing to surface readout equipment, enabling the electronic steering assembly to be employed for drilling directional bores without removal of the kelly.

Abstract: A wireline protector for protecting an electrical wireline used in a downhole drilling operation. During the operation of adding additional drill string members to the drill string, the electrical wireline is encased by the wireline protector thereby guarding it against damage by any slippage of the slip members. The wireline protector includes an elongated section that is arranged to extend through the opening in the rotary table through which the drill string passes in such a manner so as not to interfere with the drill string and a second section substantially perpendicular to the elongated section. The elongated section has an elongated opening into which the portion of the wireline passing through the rotary table can be inserted so that it is substantially surrounded and guarded by the elongated section. The second section is arranged in engagement with the rotary table so as to maintain the wireline protector in place.

Abstract: A downhole drilling system utilizes a non-rotating kelly bushing for locking in the torque created in the drill string by the downhole drilling motor. The kelly bushing prevents rotational movement of the kelly secured to the drill string on which the downhole motor is attached. The kelly bushing includes a torque mechanism for enabling the kelly and the attached drill string to move in a forward direction into the hole being drilled while prohibiting any rotational movement. The torque mechanism includes a pair of rollers which are adapted to non-rotatably receive and vertically guide the kelly therebetween. The spacing between the rollers is adjustable to accommodate different sized kellys. A guide mechanism is provided in the kelly bushing for enabling an electrical wire to be attached to either the downhole motor or a sensing mechanism located in the area of the downhole motor for feeding back to the surface appropriate electrical signals indicative of certain drilling operations.

Abstract: A drilling head comprises a tubular body adapted for connection above a well head and having a removable side outlet with a replaceable wear bushing. An assembly removably secured in the head includes a stator and rotor with bearing means and rotating seal means therebetween. A replaceable tubular, kelly seal boot or stripper carried by the rotor includes an enlarged upper end which diverts drilling mud away from the rotating seal and toward the side outlet.

Abstract: A drilling head includes a tubular body with top, bottom and side openings. An oriented side outlet with an oriented replaceable bushing is releasably connected to the side opening. The head without the side outlet will pass through most rotary tables.A top closure closes the annulus between a portion of the head above the side opening and a drive tube such as a kelly extending through the head. The top closure includes a rotor, adapted to form a non-rotating seal with the kelly, and a stator, with a rotating seal between the stator and rotor. The stator is supported on and releasably connected to the body. The rotor includes a seal tube rotatably supported by inboard bearings on the stator located above the rotating seal. The top closure is small enough to pass through even rotary tables that are too small to pass the drilling head.

Abstract: A drilling head includes a tubular body with top, bottom and side openings.A top closure closes the annulus between a portion of the head above the side opening and a drive tube such as a kelly extending through the head. The top closure includes a rotor, adapted to form a non-rotating seal with the kelly, and a stator, with a rotating seal between the stator and rotor. The stator is supported on and releasably connected to the body. The rotor includes a seal tube rotatably supported by inboard bearings on the stator located above the rotating seal.The seal tube has a replaceable rubber stripper to seal with the kelly. An upwardly flaring medial flange on the stripper guides upwardly flowing annulus fluid toward the side opening and away from the rotating seal.The rotor includes an elastomer sandwich drive bushing, rising above the stator into the rotary table, splined to the seal tube and secured to the kelly by slips.

Abstract: A drilling head includes a tubular body having removable means for sealing the body to a kelly or other drive tube, a drive bushing releasably mounted in the sealing means to turn the sealing means with the drive tube, the sealing means including a seal tube having a rotating seal means for sealing with the body and a non-rotating seal means for sealing with the drive tube, both seal means being releasably held to the seal tube by common retainer means, such sealing means being rotatably mounted on the body on removable outboard mono-stratum double acting anti-friction thrust bearing means at the top of the body, the outer bearing race being held between annular flanges, one flange being integral with the body and the other releasably connected to the body, and the inner bearing race being held between annular plates releasably connected to the seal tube, the body having a side outlet and flange connection for the drilling fluid return line substantially flush with the body.

Abstract: A Kelly Bushing Guard is comprised of an outer protective guarding shell which coverably mounts on the kelly bushing portion of a drilling apparatus. The outer shell is comprised of an upper smaller shell section which is mountable on the kelly bushing itself, there being provided an upper opening through the upper shell portion allowing the passage of the kelly therethrough. A lower shell section is integrally attached to the upper shell section, the lower shell section coverably registering with and guarding the rotary table portion of a well drilling apparatus. An improved cushioned mounting is provided which can be in the form of a plurality of pliable rubberized rings. The larger lower shell section provides a free space under the upper shell section which free space allows the kelly bushing to freely rotate therewithin.

Abstract: Rotary blowout preventer apparatus includes:(a) an upright tubular body adapted to receive an annular packer to be constricted about a rotating well element,(b) and a rotary annular assembly carried in the body to rotate relative thereto and with the packer when the packer is constricted about said rotating element, said assembly including an actuator movable in the body to effect said constriction of the packer,(c) said assembly also including an annular head member having a shoulder located to receive vertical thrust exerted by the packer when the actuator effects constriction thereof.

Abstract: In raise bore drilling, a drill string of non-round cross-sectional configuration is connected through a pilot hole from a raise bore bit at the lower end of the pilot hole to a raise bore drilling rig at the upper end of the hole. The drill string is defined by a number of serially connected individual pipe lengths. The drill string configuration preferably is hexagonal except at one end of each length where the pipe length is round for a distance which corresponds to the length of a female threaded connection component defined by that end of the pipe length. The other end of each pipe length defines a cooperating male threaded connection component.

Abstract: A raise bore drilling rig is provided for use with a drill string of non-round cross-sectional configuration; the drill string is connectible through a pilot hole from a raise bore bit at the lower end of the pilot hole to the raise bore drilling rig at the upper end of the hole. To enable simple assembly of the drill string, the upper end of each length of drill string is circular in way of the female component of a threaded coupling. The drilling rig includes a rotary drive mechanism which mates with the non-round cross-section of individual lengths of drill string and which is rotatably driven to apply torque to the drill string as it is raised axially during the raise bore drilling process. The torque applying component of the drilling rig which is directly engageable with the drill string includes a vertically floating "bushing" which enables torque to be applied to the string as a coupling is raised through a normal "at rest" position of the bushing.

Abstract: A slim hole drilling method wherein a wellbore of a diameter no greater than about 6 inches is drilled using a drill pipe rotation rate of at least 500 rpm and rotating the drill pipe with at least one electric motor operably connected to the drill pipe. Drilling power units for carrying out the drilling method which employ at least one electric motor in mechanical connection with the drill pipe for rotating the drill pipe and moving with same as it advances toward and away from the wellbore.