Abstract: A latch assembly having a first portion movably coupled with a second portion. The first portion has a roller housing, a latch panel, and handle, and the second portion has a respective roller housing, a respective latch panel, and a respective handle. In a closed position, the latch panel engages with the respective roller housing, and the respective latch panel engages with the roller housing.

Abstract: A mobile manipulation system configured to perform objective tasks within human environments is provided. The mobile manipulation system can include a mobile base assembly including a computing device, at least two drive wheels, and a sensor. The mobile manipulation system can include an actuation assembly including a chain cartridge and a drive chain including a plurality of inter-connected links conveying at least one cable within an interior space of each inter-connected link. The actuation assembly system can also include a telescopic structure including a plurality of segments configured to extend and retract telescopically and conveying the drive chain therein. The mobile manipulation system can include a mast attached to the mobile base assembly along which the actuation assembly translates vertically and a head assembly atop the mast including a first collection of sensors. The mobile manipulation system can also include a manipulation payload coupled to the telescopic structure.

Abstract: A drilling and bolting rig for performing drilling and bolting operations. The drilling and bolting rig includes a magazine for storing a consumable, a feed supporting a drill head for movement relative to a work surface, and a loader configured to retrieve the consumable from the magazine and load the consumable into the drill head. The loader includes an arm operable to engage the consumable. The arm is supported for both rotational and translational movement.

Abstract: A robot, robotic systems, and methods for conducting a subterranean operation. In some embodiments, a robot may include: a main body comprising a housing; a powered clamping system; a controlled atmosphere volume disposed within the housing or within the clamping system; and an electrical component disposed within the controlled atmosphere volume. In some embodiments, the controlled atmosphere volume may comprise an EX-certified volume and the electrical component may be disposed within the EX-certified volume, such that the electrical component may be disposed in the EX-certified volume that is disposed in the housing and/or an EX-certified volume that is disposed in the clamping system, such as in an electrically powered tong.

Abstract: A pipe shuttle for moving a pipe segment from an operating position to a pipe box. The pipe shuttle has a pair of gripper arms flanking a cradle. The cradle has a spring-loaded pad that has a concave surface for holding a pipe segment. As the pipe shuttle moves from underneath a pipe box to near a cradle, rollers are positioned to engage a guide plate. When the shuttle is underneath the pipe box, the rollers engage the guide plate to keep the cradle open. When moved towards an operating position, the rollers no longer engage the guide plate and cause grippers to close on the pipe segment. The spring-loaded pad allows the pipe shuttle to be moved relative to the pipe segment when the pipe segment is in its operating position.

Abstract: A multifunction handler for handling drilling elements in a drilling rig includes a slide, which has a guide system and a lifting system. The slide is adapted to slide along a first axis parallel to the longitudinal extension of a drilling rig mast. An articulated arm, a robotic apparatus, and a handling head are adapted to seize, hold and release a drilling element. The articulated arm is fixed at a first end to the slide. A first end of the robotic apparatus is fixed to the second end of the articulated arm. The articulated arm allows moving the robotic apparatus along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The handling head connects to the second end of the robotic apparatus. The robotic apparatus moves the handling head with at least three degrees of freedom and the handler moves the handling head with at least five degrees of freedom.

Abstract: An automated pipe tripping apparatus includes an outer frame and an inner frame. The inner frame includes a tripping slips and iron roughneck. The automated pipe tripping apparatus may, in concert with an elevator and drawworks, trip in a tubular string in a continuous motion. The tripping slips and iron roughneck, along with the inner frame, may travel vertically within the outer frame. The weight of the tubular string is transferred between the tripping slips and the elevator. The iron roughneck may make up or break out threaded connections between tubular segments, the upper tubular segment supported by the elevator and the lower by the tripping slips. An automated pipe handling apparatus may remove or supply sections of pipe from or to the elevator. A control system may control both the automated pipe tripping apparatus and the elevator and drawworks.

Abstract: A pipe grabber is readily installed onto a pipe handler used to elevate large and heavy sections of pipe to and from a drilling platform. The pipe grabber has a pair of upper link arms pivotal about an upper cylinder pin, a pair of lower link arms pivotal about a lower cylinder pin, a pair of link pins coupling individual ones of the pair of upper link arms to individual ones of the pair of lower link arms, and a hydraulic cylinder affixed between the upper and lower cylinder pins. The pipe grabber captures a pipe within the pipe supporting trough when the cylinder is extended, and the upper link arms are configured to retract within a pipe grabber housing beneath the pipe supporting trough when the cylinder is retracted. A pair of hooks protrude from a housing side wall to suspend the pipe grabber from a pipe handler.

Abstract: A system and method for horizontally building stands of tubulars and transferring them to a rig floor. The system has a horizontal stand builder which assembles double or triple stands of tubulars. A catwalk and V-door are positioned alongside the horizontal stand builder. A skate is able to push either single, double, or triple stands along the catwalk and up the V-door to a position whereby an elevator on the rig can grip the stand and move it onto the rig. For transferring single stands of tubular, there is a carrier at the upper end of the V-door which can grip the single stand and lift it to the position for the elevator to grip it and move it onto the rig.

Abstract: An apparatus for deploying lubricator pipes includes a rack configured to hold a plurality of lubricator pipes in a generally parallel orientation. The rack is pivotable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, and the plurality of lubricator pipes pivot as the rack pivots and remain generally parallel to one another in the rack. The apparatus also includes an actuator coupled to the rack and configured to pivot the rack from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A novel integrated pipe handling system and method is provided wherein one or more pipe tubs having lift arms can be loaded with pipe and transported to a drill site where it may be deployed next to a pipe handling trailer. The pipe tubs and pipe handling trailer are arranged such that when the lift arms are raised, pipes may roll from a tub to the trailer, where a pipe is transferred to an angularly adjustable trough on the trailer. The trough may be raised to a preselected position and the pipe moved along the trough by a skate such that the pipe is available to be transferred from the pipe handling trailer to a drilling rig. The process may be reversed to remove pipe from the drilling rig. A control system, which may be operated in a manual or automated mode, is used to operate the integrated system using information about each pipe joint recorded during the loading process.

Abstract: A dual-open entry injector head positioning system installed on support structures, such as conventional lifting frames, utilized over wells on offshore vessels. The injector head positioning system is lighter and more compact than conventional equipment positioning systems, while permitting simultaneous deployment of multiple intervention systems (such as, for example, continuous tubing and wireline) from said lifting frame.

Abstract: A gripping system for securing a work piece includes a clamp device, a rotary actuator, and a control circuit. The clamp device includes a ball screw mechanism and a jaw portion that has multiple grip fingers. The ball screw mechanism includes a shaft and a holder assembly. The shaft extends through the holder assembly and is configured for displacement along a central axis of the jaw portion. A distal tip of the shaft engages the grip fingers. The control circuit controls the rotary actuator to drive rotation of the shaft relative to the holder assembly, causing displacement of the shaft along the central axis. The displacement of the shaft causes the distal tip of the shaft to force the grip fingers to move in a radial direction away from the central axis to provide a clamp force on the work piece.

Abstract: A wellbore rig top drive is disclosed. The wellbore rig top drive can include a main bearing housing. The wellbore rig top drive can also include a main bearing supported by the main bearing housing. The main bearing can be configured to support a weight of a wellbore string and facilitate rotation of the wellbore string about an axis. The wellbore rig top drive can further include a quill supported by the main bearing and configured to rotate about the axis. The quill can be coupleable to the wellbore string. In addition, the wellbore rig top drive can include a drive motor disposed below the main bearing and supported by the main bearing housing. The drive motor can be coupled to the quill to provide torque to rotate the quill about the axis.

Abstract: For wellbore operations, a pipe handler moves pipe up to a rig floor. A pipe loader moves pipe from a presented position into alignment with well center. The pipe handler moves pipe up to a slanted presented position. The slanted presented position can be adjusted by manipulating the drive system.

Abstract: An automated drilling rig system includes a drilling rig and a catwalk system. The drilling rig includes a rig floor, a substructure, a mast, a top drive, and a pipe handling apparatus. The pipe handling apparatus includes a column coupled to the rig floor at a position offset from the well centerline. The catwalk system includes a pipe tub, a catwalk lift frame, and a catwalk assembly. The pipe tub is configured to store one or more tubular members for use with the drilling rig. The catwalk assembly includes a base and a catwalk slide. The catwalk lift frame is coupled to the base of the catwalk assembly and extends substantially vertically to the rig floor. The catwalk slide is coupled to the catwalk lift frame at a first end and pivotably coupled to the base at a second end via a leveling strut. The catwalk slide includes a skate adapted to slide along the length of the catwalk slide.

Abstract: A deck bushing system for a drilling machine having a mast deck including a deck hole is disclosed. The deck bushing system may include a deck bushing sized to be received in the deck hole. The deck bushing may include a tubular member having a generally square shaped flange. Additionally, the deck bushing system may include a deck bushing housing fixedly secured to the mast deck. The deck bushing housing may form a generally V-shape opening toward the deck hole.

Abstract: A rotary head guide system for a mobile drilling machine is disclosed. The rotary head guide system may include a drilling mast including a mast frame having an opening along substantially an entire length of the mast frame. The mast frame may include edges forming flanges on each side of the opening. The flanges may extend along the length of the mast frame. Additionally, the rotary head guide system may include a rotary head movably coupled to the drilling mast by a support structure including at least two guide assemblies engaging the flanges.

Abstract: A tong includes a frame having jaws configured to engage a tubular and a tong control assembly disposed on the frame. The tong control assembly includes a housing connected to the frame, a shutoff switch, and a toggle lever located at a suitable position on the housing, whereby the toggle lever is configured to be operated while the shutoff switch is depressed, and wherein the toggle lever is configured to control at least one of: a rotational speed of the jaws and a rotational direction of the jaws. A method of operating a tong includes clamping a first tubular using first jaws of a tong, clamping a second tubular using second jaws of the tong, rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, and controlling a rotational speed of the first tubular using a toggle lever disposed on a frame of the tong.

Abstract: A swivel stand apparatus includes a swivel tower and a swivel mounting frame to which the swivel tower preferably removably attaches using locking members. Non-wheeled friction reducing sliders preferably form an interface between the swivel mounting frame and the frame. The flanged beams are part of a basket which can receive and connect to either a jack base or a flange base. The basket can have legs of different lengths to allow connection of the basket to the bases in only one orientation to prevent incorrect connection of the basket to the base. The basket preferably includes specially configured pipe racks for holding vertically positioned pipe or pipe joints. The jack base preferably includes multiple legs to connect to legs of the basket, and two legs to contact and support the basket without necessarily being mechanically interlocked thereto.

Abstract: An elevator device for drilling systems consisting substantially of a lifting device (2) cooperating with a loading device (3) applied to a drilling machine (4); said lifting device (2) taking a rod (100) or a casing (101) from a horizontal position to successively engage said rod or casing in a driving head (5) of a drilling machine (4), said device being directly mounted on the driving head and being driven by said driving head.

Abstract: A boom system for transporting and deployment of utility service lines (such as cables, wires, hoses, pipes, etc.) from sources of the services to a drilling rig. The mobile boom system includes a mobile skid with posts located at opposite ends of the skid, and one or more articulating booms pivotally attached to each skid post. One or more articulating booms attached to a post at the first end of the skid can support and carry the service lines connected to the sources and one or more articulating booms attached to a post at the second end of the skid can support and carry the service lines connected to a drilling rig, or to an articulating boom extending from a drilling rig. The mobile articulating boom system can include means for moving and selectively positioning the mobile articulating boom system at a drilling site.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a skate configured to engage a tubular while moving along a catwalk trough is provided. The skate comprises a frame having a drive system configured to move the tubular along the catwalk trough, a grip device coupled to the frame and configured to grip a pin end of the tubular, and a controller in communication with the drive system that controls movement of the frame based on movement of a box end of the tubular.

Abstract: A method for handling pipe includes orienting a pipe having first and second ends so that the second end of the pipe is positioned vertically above the first end, and while the pipe is oriented with the second end positioned vertically above the first end, gripping onto the pipe proximate the first end with a lift jaw assembly that is coupled to a lift arm assembly. The pipe is vertically misaligned at a substantially non-zero misalignment angle relative to the first end of the pipe while gripping the pipe with the lift jaw assembly, wherein vertically misaligning the pipe includes rotating the lift jaw assembly relative to the lift arm assembly.

Abstract: A torque restraint device for connection to a top drive or to a travelling block of a drilling rig. The device is reversibly connectable to a guide track connected to a mast of the drilling rig. The device includes a main body supporting a pair of lockable jaws connected with a hinge body. The jaws are configured to form a closed and locked bracket for engaging the guide track and configured to pivot on the hinge body to provide an open bracket to facilitate disengagement of the device from the guide track. The hinge body forms a connection between at least one of the jaws and the main body.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling (HDD) machine that includes a rod box that has a large capacity, which allows the HDD machine to operate continuously for longer periods of time. The rod box has an upper end and a lower end and is pivotally connected to a frame of the HDD machine at a pivot axis positioned adjacent the lower end of the rod box. The rod box is pivotally movable between a stowed position and an operational position. The rod box obstructs movement of a drill head of the HDD machine when in the stowed position and is laterally offset from the drill head when in the operational position so as to not interfere with movement of the drill head. The rod box is tapered such that a width is larger adjacent the upper end of the rod box as compared to the lower end of the rod box.

Abstract: Energy may be stored, converted, and generated during a drilling operation. An example method includes receiving fluid energy from a flow of drilling fluid (115) in a borehole (105). The received fluid energy may be stored as mechanical energy in an energy storage device (205) in the borehole (105). Additionally, electrical energy may be generated from the mechanical energy using a generator mechanically or magnetically coupled to the energy storage device.

Abstract: Wellbore drilling system comprising: a drilling tower, a drill floor having a well center through which a drill string passes along a firing line, a drilling tubulars storage rack adapted to store multiple drilling tubulars in vertical orientation, a tubular racking device having at least a lower first tubular racker assembly and at least a second tubular racker assembly operable at a greater height than the first tubular racker assembly, each tubular racker assembly comprises a base, a motion arm connected to said base, and a tubular gripper member connected or connectable to the motion arm and adapted to grip a tubular, wherein—with the tubular gripping member connected to the motion arm of the racker assemblies—the tubular racking device is adapted to grip and retain a drilling tubular by the tubular racker assemblies, and wherein the tubular racking device is adapted to place a tubular in and remove a tubular from the drilling tubulars storage rack, and wherein the tubular racking device has a reach

Abstract: A safety apparatus for personnel on an oil drilling rig includes a cylindrical quick disconnect switch having a receptacle and a plunger. The receptacle has an open circuit pair of electrical wires. The plunger is configured to attach to a derrick man. The plunger and the receptacle are configured to mate when the plunger is inserted into the receptacle and to remain frictionally mated until pulled apart. The mating results in closing the circuit between the pair of electrical wires.

Abstract: A tubular handling system has a trough with two exterior channels and an interior channel disposed between the two exterior channels. The two exterior channels and the interior channel are disposed along a longitudinal length of the trough and are configured to support at least one tubular. The tubular handling system also has a set of exterior kickers configured to move the tubular from one of the exterior channels to the interior channel and from one of the exterior channels to a position out of the trough. The tubular handling system has an interior kicker configured to move the tubular from the interior channel to one of the exterior channels.

Abstract: A system for cooling an exhaust system of a construction machine. The system has a compartment within which the exhaust system is contained. A first compartment wall forms an external boundary of the compartment and has a plurality of air inlets proximate the exhaust system. A fan assembly is also within the compartment and separated from the exhaust system by a barrier. A conduit crosses the barrier and has an inlet near the exhaust system and an outlet positioned between the barrier and the fan assembly. Air flows within the compartment along an air flow path that extends from the air inlets, around the exhaust system, through the conduit and into the fan assembly. The air flow path extends from the fan assembly through a plurality of air outlets formed in an external compartment wall.

Abstract: A racking arm assembly is adapted to be mounted on a drill floor of a drilling rig and includes a lift arm assembly having a first arm that is movably coupled to a vertical support column, wherein the lift arm assembly is adapted to be raised and lowered along a vertical length of the vertical support column during a pipe handling operation. A lift jaw assembly is pivotably coupled to a second arm of the lift arm assembly and includes a lift jaw assembly having a lift jaw gripping apparatus that is adapted to grip and fixedly hold a drill pipe stand proximate a pin end of the drill pipe stand during the pipe handling operation. The lift jaw gripping apparatus is further adapted to be rotated relative to the lift arm assembly about a substantially horizontal axis while the lift jaw gripping apparatus is fixedly holding the drill pipe stand.

Abstract: Handling device for a rock drill rig for handling drill string components for a drill string, wherein the handling device includes a linear guide, a slide being displaceable along the linear guide, and, supported by the slide, a gripping device, being displaceable between a drill string position in the rock drill rig and a delivering position outside the rock drill rig. The gripping device is supported by a swing arm which is swing drivable around a first rotational axis. The swing arm is swing drivable in respect of the slide around a second rotation axis. The swing arm support and the swing arm are swing drivable around a third rotational axis for swinging the gripping device to the drill string position.

Abstract: A temporary support device for oil well tubes and method of use. The device comprises a holding structure (10) to be applied to the well surface casing (1), a holding base (20) resting on the well's cellar floor (40) and sets of adjustable supporting arms (30) connecting said holding structure (10) and said supporting base (20). The supporting base (20) is assembled and placed on the well's cellar floor (40) and the holding structure (10) is arranged around the upper end of the casing (1), alone or along with the tubular application device (2, 4, 5). Thereby, casing (1) is supported by the device of the invention. This supporting action is temporary until some operation is carried out and/or cementation and setting of the region surrounding tube (1) is produced, causing the tube to be permanently fixed in place.

Abstract: An earth drilling device includes a frame and a slide which is movable forward in the feed direction and backwards away from the feed direction. The frame includes a tilting device which causes the slide to incline relative to the frame and the feed axis when the slide is moved backward to the feed direction. An additional drill section may be inserted into the slide when it is inclined, then the slide may be moved forward in the feed direction to feed the additional drill section into the soil. A method for moving a drill section includes moving a slide opposite a feed direction in a frame. A tilting device causes the slide to incline relative to the frame and the feed direction, and an additional drill section is introduced into the slide. Then the slide is moved in the feed direction, feeding the additional drill section into the soil.

Abstract: A handling device for handling drill string components with respect to a rock drill rig including a rotator device supported on a feed beam and arranged to rotate and drive a drill string component. A gripper grips drill string components. The gripper is swingably supported around a first swing axis between: a first position aligned with the active drill string position, and a second position aligned with a delivering position for drill string components. A swing arm includes a support configured to support a drill string component and is swingable around a second swing axis. A guiding beam is fastenable at end regions in connection with respective regions of the first and second swing axis. The guiding beam forms mechanical stops for the gripper in the second position and for the swing arm in the delivering position. Also, a rock drill rig and a method.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a wellbore drilling system comprising a drilling tower and a tubular racking device having at least a lower first tubular racker assembly and at least a second tubular racker assembly operable at a greater height than the first tubular racker assembly. The system further comprises one or more well center tools, each adapted for operation above the well center of the drill floor, e.g. an iron roughneck tool for making up and breaking out of threaded tubular joints. According to the present invention, the tubular racking device comprises a third tubular racker assembly which is vertically mobile and which is operable for tubular transfer between the firing line and the drilling tubulars storage rack in combination with the second tubular racker assembly, e.g.

Abstract: A well intervention apparatus including a base frame assembly, a deck attached to an upper end of the base frame assembly. The deck includes a passage and a hatch adjacent to the passage. A track is disposed within the passage, and a movable plate is slidingly attached to the track for movement within the passage. A reception plate is attached over a first aperture of the moveable plate and a tower is mounted over a second aperture of the moveable plate. A primary hoist assembly is connected to an upper end of the tower. The reception plate is configured to secure a first well intervention tool, and the primary hoist assembly is configured to suspend a second well intervention tool from the tower. In a first position of the moveable plate, the reception plate is disposed over the well. In a second position, the tower is disposed over the well.

Abstract: A drill rod handling apparatus is configured to feed rods to and from a drill string created by a drill rig. The apparatus includes a gripper unit configured to contact and hold a rod to be transported to the drill rig and an alignment tool mounted at the gripper unit to provide correct mating of the rod ends during coupling.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering drill pipe has a support frame, a catwalk platform, and a slide platform that are pivotally connected together. A drill pipe rack, a chain drive, and a kicker direct the drill pipe to and from the catwalk platform. A hydraulically actuated piston lifts the catwalk platform and slide platform into alignment to create a single inclined delivery platform extending from the ground to the rig floor. A powered means lifts or lowers the drill pipe along the delivery platform.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a tong system which includes a tong assembly and at least one string gripping device. The tong assembly is configured to engage a rod or tubular string at the junction between a first rod or tubular and a second rod or tubular of a rod or tubular string and unthread the first rod or tubular from the second rod or tubular. The tong assembly can also thread the first rod or tubular onto the rod or tubular string. The string gripping device is configured to hold a tubular string for at least a portion of the time. The tong system further holds the rod or tubular string against torque applied onto the first rod or tubular by the tong assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a racking system for receiving, storing, and/or delivering rods and tubulars. The racking system includes a rack having a plurality of beams configured to support a plurality of rods, a plurality of tubulars, or both. each of the plurality of beams includes a proximal end and a distal end. The racking system further includes a plurality of indexers aligned with or proximal to the proximal ends of the plurality of base beams, wherein each of the plurality of indexers includes a series of rotating holders configured to transport the plurality of rods, tubulars, or both to and from the rack. Additionally, the racking system further includes a jack coupled to the distal end each of the plurality of base beams, wherein the jack raises and lowers the distal end of the base beam in relation to the proximal end.

Abstract: A drill head assembly for receiving a drill rod in an operative position. The drill head assembly has a chuck and cradle configured for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a drill mast. In the second position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast. From the first position, the cradle is configured for sequential axial and then pivotal movement relative to the transverse axis to reach the second position, with pivotal movement being restricted until axial movement is completed. Drill rod handling systems having such drill head assemblies, and methods of using such drill head assemblies, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe store for supplying and discharging pipe bodies, in particular drill rods, casing pipes, and/or drill-string parts, such as drill collars, drilling motors or the like, to and from a drilling rig for creating deep wells, having a basic structure, having at least one framework which is provided in the form of a transporting and storage framework for pipe bodies and in which a plurality of pipe bodies are arranged to form a load, and having a removal apparatus for removing the pipe bodies from the framework and supplying the pipe bodies into the framework, characterized in that the basic structure has at least two accommodating portions for accommodating the framework in an essentially horizontal arrangement, in that, following insertion into the accommodating portion, the framework is fastened in a rotatable manner therein, and can be transferred from a horizontal orientation into a vertical orientation by means of a lifting element, in that each of the pipe bodies can be individ

Abstract: An attachment is described that is configured for attachment to an arm of a piece of heavy construction equipment. The attachment is configured to rotate a section of pipe during break out (i.e. disconnection or disassembly) from another section of pipe and/or make up (i.e. connection or assembly) with another section of pipe. The attachment is configured to break the joint or torque the joint to a predetermined torque value, unthread or thread pipe, and lift the pipe under the power of the heavy construction equipment.

Abstract: A rock drilling unit and a method of changing drill rods in a rock drilling unit is disclosed. The rock drilling unit includes a feed beam, a retainer device, a rock drilling machine and at least one clamp. The clamp is operable without driving force of the drilling unit. The clamp has a space for receiving one single drill rod. The clamp is positioned at a side position, which is parallel to a drilling axis and is at a transfer distance from the drilling axis.

Abstract: A modular system and process for connecting a first and second tubular. The system may comprise a skid, a tong assembly operatively associated with the skid, a hydraulic power unit, operatively positioned on said skid, a spring assembly that includes spring stands, a frame containing the tong assembly, springs, rods disposed within the spring, and lanyards attached to the rods on a first end and attached to the base on a second end so that vibratory and displacement forces created during torqueing of the first tubular onto the second tubular are absorbed. The system may also include a sensor, operatively positioned on the skid, for sensing an applied torque to the first and second tubular, and generating a sensor signal.

Abstract: A gear system has a gear housing and a lower planetary carrier disposed in the gear housing, the lower planetary carrier being adapted to rotate relative to the gear housing. A top drive system is operatively coupled to the gear system, the top drive system having a top drive shaft that is adapted to be driven by the gear system. A single bearing that is adapted to facilitate rotation of the lower planetary carrier is positioned between the gear housing and the lower planetary carrier. A motor apparatus is operatively coupled to and adapted to drive the gear system by rotating the lower planetary carrier relative to the gear housing, wherein a rotational axis of the single bearing is adapted to move in a lateral translational direction with respect to the gear housing while the motor apparatus is rotating the lower planetary carrier.

Abstract: A rod magazine for accommodating rod linkages for a drilling device having a frame including elongated bars connected so as to define a quadrangular space. First and second end plates are attached to respective ends of the frame. A first head is releasably attached to the first end plate and includes a plurality of separating elements. A second head is releasably attached to the second end plate and comprises a plurality of separating elements. Each of the plurality of separating elements of the first and second heads are variably positioned relative to an adjacent one so as to define a plurality of separating rows, wherein each separating row is configured to receive one or more ends of rod linkages within the interior of the frame.

Abstract: A completion system and method adapted for use in wells having long lateral boreholes includes a mast assembly, a pipe handling mechanism, a pipe arm, a pipe tub, a pump/pit combination skid, a rig carrier, and a control system. The control system can be used to automate operations of the completion system to facilitate rapid and safe make-up and breaking of tubular connections.