Abstract: A pipe racking system includes a diving board having a guide rail, a trolley, a manipulator, and a gripper. The trolley has two sides being mounted to the diving board via the guide rail and being driven by a rack and pinion member. The gripper is connected to an end of the manipulator away from the trolley. The trolley includes two pairs of combined bearings and two pairs of eccentric wheels. The gripper is configured to grip a tubular subject and include two opposing flippers, two first electric putters, and two springs. The two first electric putters is configured to control the two flippers. One end of each spring of the two springs is connected to a flipper of the two flippers and the other end of the each spring is connected to a push rod of a first electric putter of the two first electric putters.

Abstract: A system for handling tubulars on a rig may include a top handling device configured for arrangement on the rig and for handling a top portion of a tubular to and from a setback area. The system may also include a lower handling device configured for arrangement on the rig and for handling a bottom portion of the tubular between well center and a release position. The system may also include a bottom handling device configured for arrangement on the rig and for handling the bottom portion of the tubular between the release position and the setback area.

Abstract: An adjustable winch hanger is provided to mount and support a winch in midair or another location in order to lift objects such as pipes or the like to an appropriate height for installation. A plurality of bolt-receiving channels are connected to a main body and oriented laterally. A plurality of bolts, wedge bolts in particular, are positioned into the bolt-receiving channels. A rod channel runs vertically through the bolt-receiving channels to receive a vertically-oriented rod to which to affix the winch hanger. A tightening mechanism is engaged with the plurality of bolts and configured to axially displace the bolts within the bolt-receiving channels in order to tighten the bolts against the vertically-oriented rod. A center bolt is threadedly engaged with a threaded collar, which is connected to a tie bar, which is connected to the plurality of wedge bolts, ensuring the wedge bolts are laterally aligned with each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a tubular may include a column vertically extending from a drill floor, the column defining an axis; a lower carriage connected to the column and configured to carry the column along the drill floor; an upper arm assembly movable along the column, the upper arm assembly being configured to connect with a tubular; and a lower arm assembly having a lower gripper head configured to attach to the tubular, the lower arm assembly being movable to displace the lower gripper head between a position on a first side of the axis and a position on a second side of the axis.

Abstract: A device and method for subterranean operations comprising a latch adapted to be coupled with a fingerboard of a drilling rig, the fingerboard including at least two fingers, wherein: the latch is selectively moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the latch is adapted to selectively permit entrance of a first tubular into a tubular storage area between the at least two fingers when the latch is in the open configuration, and selectively maintain the first tubular in the tubular storage area when the latch is in the closed configuration, and the latch is spaced apart from the fingerboard.

Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.

Abstract: A system includes a cage having a pipe rack configured to store a tubular in a vertical orientation, such that a longitudinal axis of the tubular is substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane. The system also includes a first robotic pipe handler configured to transition the tubular from a horizontal orientation, in which the longitudinal axis of the tubular is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, to the vertical orientation. The first robotic pipe handler transitions between a raised position and a lowered position about a first handler axis.

Abstract: Example workover vehicles for removing and installing sucker rods and tubing of completed wells include a mast having a distinctive spatial relationship with various equipment of the vehicle. The mast has a series of vertical corner posts or weight bearing derrick legs that define the mast's horizontal footprint. In some examples, a tubing storage rack is situated mostly within the footprint while a rod storage rack is mostly beyond the footprint. A robot traveling vertically along the mast transfers rods and tubing between the well and the appropriate storage rack. In some examples, the rod storage rack pivots between an extended operative position and a retracted transport position. In some examples, a robotic jib transfers rods or tubing to and from a lay-down storage area. Some example robot jibs are movable to a fully deployed position for normal operation and a stored position within the mast's footprint for vehicle transport.

Abstract: A system for storing one or more tubulars comprises a drilling deck including a hole offset from a wellbore centerline. In addition, the system comprises a rack unit coupled to the drilling deck and extending downward from the hole in the drilling deck. The rack unit comprises a tubular housing having a longitudinal axis, an upper end, and a lower end opposite the upper end. The rack unit also comprises a first rack disposed within the body, wherein the first rack is moveably coupled to the body.

Abstract: Improvements to base beams and self-propelled derrick rigs are described. The base beam can have two or more stabilizer arms which can be deployed. The base beam is also designed to support the derrick rig. An optional counterweight assembly can be connected to the front of the rig. The self-propelled derrick rig can be easily and quickly mounted to the base beam, and when mounted, the assembly will be able to withstand high hook loads and wind loading without the danger of the rig coming off of its wheels or falling over.

Abstract: Automated systems and apparatus for transferring tubulars (tubulars used in wellbore and derrick operations, such as casing, tubing, drill pipe, etc.) or stands of pipe from one location to another in a derrick, e.g. from a fingerboard to a well center are described. The system includes a fully automated drill pipe handling system to move and position the drill pipe through all the steps of the drilling process.

Abstract: A vertical pipe handler with pivoting arms for a drilling rig can include a central support and a central support center line. The vertical pipe hander can grab a tubular with top and bottom pipe grabbers, and lift the tubular using a bottom non-rotating collar and a bottom rack and bottom pinion lift mechanism. The tubular can be vertically positioned before being moved downward; thereby allowing for a next tubular in a series to be positioned and inserted.

Abstract: A drilling-pipe handling apparatus and a method for handling drilling-pipes in a drilling rig, and is concerned particularly with apparatus and a method for racking drilling-pipes in an oil drilling rig. The pipe handling apparatus includes a pipe engaging portion, a movable positioning unit for moving the pipe engaging portion, and a mounting member for mounting the apparatus on a leg of a drilling mast.

Abstract: A device and method for handling a tubular on a drilling rig. The device includes a base, an arm mount coupled to the base, a support arm rotatably connected to the arm mount, and a tubular guide coupled to support arm. The base may include a guide disposed into the base, where the guide contains a circular portion which is concentric to a well center, and the arm mount slidably disposed in the guide.

Abstract: Generally, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to an impact absorbing “diving board,” or access platform, of a drilling rig “fingerboard,” or pipe racking assembly. One illustrative diving board assembly of a drilling rig fingerboard assembly disclosed herein includes a first end proximate the drilling rig and a second end positioned remote from the first end, where the first end is more proximal to the drilling rig than the second end. The illustrative diving board assembly further includes a clamping assembly operatively coupled to the first end and to the second end, where the clamping assembly is positioned between the first and second ends and defines a pinned connection adapted to permit a rotation of the first and second ends relative to a plane defined by the fingerboard assembly.

Abstract: A pipe handling system includes a pipe stabilizer for receiving a pipe as lateral movement of the pipe is controlled by a guide system. The end portion of the pipe stabilizer may include a magnetic member configured to releasably couple to the pipe. The end portion of the pipe stabilizer may be extended and retracted by a rotatable arm. The end portion of the pipe stabilizer may be moved by an adjustment mechanism relative to another portion of the stabilizer or a drill string at well center for fine tuning placement of the pipe.

Abstract: A pipe handling system includes a frame removably coupled to a drilling mast, a gripping arm moveably coupled to the frame, and a grip jaw extending from the gripping arm to engage a drill pipe, wherein the gripping arm and the grip jaw are operable to move a drill pipe from within the drilling mast to a pipe storage area adjacent the drilling mast. Other embodiments include a pipe racker and a setback handling system disposed below the pipe racker to engage a lower end of the drill pipe, the setback handling system including a moveable pipe guide and a rotating table supporting the pipe guide. In some embodiments, the rotating table also supports a pipe mover for moving the drill pipe to desired storage positions in a setback rack. Pipe handling methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring pipe (including tubulars such as casing, tubing, drill pipe, etc.) or stands of pipe from one location to another in a wellbore derrick, e.g. from a fingerboard to a well center.

Abstract: Automated systems and apparatus for transferring tubulars (tubulars used in wellbore and derrick operations, such as casing, tubing, drill pipe, etc.) or stands of pipe from one location to another in a derrick, e.g. from a fingerboard to a well center are described. The system includes a fully automated drill pipe handling system to move and position the drill pipe through all the steps of the drilling process.

Abstract: Device for storing tubular on a drilling and/or production installation, comprising a shaft (8, 9, 10, 11) to accommodate a plurality of tubular in a substantially vertical position and a guide (15, 22) that is moveable above the shaft (8, 9, 10, 11). The device comprises means for displacing the guide (15, 22) in a substantially horizontal plane to a position above a selected one of all the tubular in the shaft. Also described are a catwalk (12) configured to displace the tubular in an axial direction through a V-door in the derrick (5), and which is further configured to be tilted into a substantially vertical position to receive or deliver a tubular, and a knuckle boom crane (7) with a grapple (27) that is adapted to grip an upper end of a substantially vertical tubular and carry the tubular in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling pipes in a derrick and racking the pipes on a pipe racking assembly mounted on the derrick is provided to improve the stability of transferring pipes during a round trip operation.

Abstract: A robotic system coupled to a racking platform of an oil well service or drilling rig comprising a base coupled to the racking platform at a fixed location, a mast pivotally coupled to the base by a mast pivot joint allowing rotation of the mast about a mast axis, a mast actuator for controllably rotating the mast about the mast pivot joint, an arm coupled to the mast and moveable along a radial direction with respect to the mast axis, an arm actuator for controllably moving the arm along the radial direction, an end effector pivotally coupled to an end of the arm by an end effector pivot joint allowing rotation of the end effector about an end effector axis oriented generally parallel to the mast axis, and an end effector actuator for controllably rotating the end effector about the end effector pivot joint. The end effector comprises at least one grabbing member operable to selectively grab an elongated object under control of a grabbing member actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing tubulars on a floating semi-submersible drilling or production vessel. The apparatus comprises a storage device for storing tubulars in a submerged position, essentially below a splash zone. The storage device is generally open to the surroundings so that the tubulars are externally exposed to surrounding water. It is also described an apparatus for transporting tubulars between a storage and a derrick on an offshore drilling and/or production platform having a platform deck. The apparatus is situated below the platform deck and is adapted for movement under the platform deck. A method for disassembling a pipe string is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for charging a drilling device of an earth or rock drilling apparatus with a double rod. The device has a rotatable revolver magazine, which is designed with double receiving spaces for receiving two tube parts that are inserted into one another.

Abstract: A device for handling and storage of drill string sections, and assembly or disassembly of a drill string on an installation especially intended for exploratory and/or production drilling for hydrocarbons, where: at least one set of individual, separate cooperating means of transport is arranged to move a drill string section or a single drill pipe length in synchronized motion; where a) a primary means of transport is provided with a first gripping device for releasably holding a lower end portion of the drill string section or drill pipe length; b) a secondary means of transport is provided with a first means of lateral support for releasably enclosing an upper end portion of the drill string section or drill pipe length; and c) each means of transport is displaceable along a substantially horizontal or vertical guideway.

Abstract: An elevator usable on a drilling rig is modified by attaching a swing arm and related structure to at least one accessory mounting provision on the elevator. The swing arm is tiltable to allow a single section elevator, carried by the swing arm, to engage a pipe extending near the well centerline. While the pipe section is being lifted, the swing arm pivots to allow the section to assume a vertical position under the elevator. When the pipe section is being rotated to run threads to join the section to the string the swing arm can extend to accommodate thread-run dimension changes. An elevator equivalent, without pipe gripping features, may be used.

Abstract: A drill floor device has two or more mouseholes for assembly and disassembly of pipe string sections. The mouseholes are arranged to be displaced underneath the drill floor by a drive system and positioned under a hole or an opening in the drill floor. At least one of the mouseholes is provided with an elevator arranged to raise and lower a pipe or a pipe string section located in the mousehole, between an upper working position in which the upper end of the pipe/pipe string section projects above the drill floor and a lower position of rest in which the upper end of the pipe/pipe string section is below the drill floor.

Abstract: A robotic system coupled to a racking platform of an oil well service or drilling rig comprising a base coupled to the racking platform at a fixed location, a mast pivotally coupled to the base by a mast pivot joint allowing rotation of the mast about a mast axis, a mast actuator for controllably rotating the mast about the mast pivot joint, an arm coupled to the mast and moveable along a radial direction with respect to the mast axis, an arm actuator for controllably moving the arm along the radial direction, an end effector pivotally coupled to an end of the arm by an end effector pivot joint allowing rotation of the end effector about an end effector axis oriented generally parallel to the mast axis, and an end effector actuator for controllably rotating the end effector about the end effector pivot joint. The end effector comprises at least one grabbing member operable to selectively grab an elongated object under control of a grabbing member actuator.

Abstract: Device for storing tubular on a drilling and/or production installation, comprising a shaft (8, 9, 10, 11) to accommodate a plurality of tubular in a substantially vertical position and a guide (15, 22) that is moveable above the shaft (8, 9, 10, 11). The device comprises means for displacing the guide (15, 22) in a substantially horizontal plane to a position above a selected one of all the tubular in the shaft. Also described are a catwalk (12) configured to displace the tubular in an axial direction through a V-door in the derrick (5), and which is further configured to be tilted into a substantially vertical position to receive or deliver a tubular, and a knuckle boom crane (7) with a grapple (27) that is adapted to grip an upper end of a substantially vertical tubular and carry the tubular in a substantially vertical orientation.

Abstract: A system for handling pipes between a pipe rack (16) and a derrick (1), which derrick (1) is located on a drilling deck (2), in connection with the production of petroleum products. The system comprises means (17, 9, 25) of carrying pipe lengths (29) between the rack (16) and the derrick (1). It also comprises a unit (25) at the drilling deck (2) for temporary storage of at least two pipe lengths (29) in respective receiving chambers (26, 28). The receiving chambers (26, 28) can be moved to and from at least one receiving and/or hand-over position, in which position a pipe handling unit is arranged to hand over a pipe length to a receiving chamber (26-28) and/or retrieve a pipe length from a receiving chamber (26-28). Preferably the unit (25) is rotatable and located under an opening (28) in the drilling deck (2).

Abstract: Mechanical stops are utilized on a rod transfer mechanism, with the stops being offset vertically from one another, to index the rod transfer mechanism of an HDD machine under the appropriate column of a drill rod storage magazine. The stops engage a moveable block which is moved by the operator using a block position selector device. The stops are arranged such that each stop corresponds to a respective column of the magazine. Accordingly, the rod transfer mechanism moves transversely away from the longitudinal axis of the drill string until the selected stop engages the block. The block position selector device is preferably located at the HDD machine operator's station. A cable slidably received within a jacket is employed between the position selector and the block to raise and lower the block.

Abstract: The invention is a transporting apparatus for holding lengths of tubulars and transporting tubulars to a drill floor of a drill rig, wherein the transport container for tubulars has a bottom side, a two sides connected to the bottom side, and two ends connected to the bottom side and the sides, wherein there is at least two tubular supports for supporting a plurality of tubulars secured to the two sides adapted to support a row of tubulars and to act as a guide to allow the tubulars to be inserted upward or downward into the container, each support is made of at least two parallel upright members for slidingly receiving an end of a tubular and preventing horizontal movement of the tubulars perpendicular to the side and at least one connector is located on one end and a second connector is located on the other end.

Abstract: An automated pipe racking apparatus for a drilling rig having an elevator suspended over a well bore. An arm support member is rotatable about an axis parallel to the well bore. A gripper arm extends from the arm support member along an axis normal to the axis of rotation of the arm support member. A gripper head assembly extends from the gripper arm, the gripper head assembly having a pair of opposed, arcuate gripper fingers, each said finger rotatable by a motor.

Abstract: An automated pipe racking apparatus for a drilling rig having an elevator suspended over a well bore. An arm support member is rotatable about an axis parallel to the well bore. A gripper arm extends from the arm support member along an axis normal to the axis of rotation of the arm support member. A gripper head assembly extends from the gripper arm, the gripper head assembly having a pair of opposed, arcuate gripper fingers, each said finger rotatable by a motor.

Abstract: A pipe handling system is designed for use on an offshore structure, particularly an offshore structure provided with a cantilevered drill floor. The pipe handling system allows to handle significantly longer sections of tubulars, up to 100 feet, if necessary. The pipe handling system transports the pipes from a horizontal pipe rack adjacent to a drill floor to a vertical orientation in a set-back area of the drill floor where the drill string or casing is made up for lowering down hole. The cantilevered drill floor allows to save valuable platform space, while not significantly increasing the cost of the drilling rig. The pipe handling system, while increasing the length of handled tubulars, reduces the number of joints for making of a drill string, thereby significantly reducing the cost of pipe handling operations.

Abstract: Equipment (1) for stowing and handling drill pipes (2), the equipment being provided with a device for transporting the drill pipes (2) from a service well (9) to a rack container (11); the transport device being defined by a central control tower (23) located in front of the container (11) and being able to rotate around an axis of vertical rotation (A) and by a grip device (24) supported by the central tower (23) and movable together with, and in relationship to, the central tower itself from a working grip position at the well (9) to a working release position at the bin (12) of the container (11).

Abstract: The drilling vessel includes at least one floating body and a platform which is supported by one or more support columns on the floating body and includes a drilling installation. The vessel is provided with storage provisions for tubular drilling equipment. The storage provisions include one or more shafts which are disposed in one or more of the support columns, extend downwards from the platform and in which a number of items of the drilling equipment can be vertically disposed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for handling pipes, such as rods and drilling strings, in drilling rigs and drilling installations for sinking boreholes, in particular on hydrocarbon reservoirs. The apparatus according to the invention for handling pipes and drilling strings in a drilling installation having a steelwork structure with a set-down platform, a working platform, a lifting device, a drill drive and a pipe connecting device is defined in particular by the fact that there is arranged on the drilling installation a wireline, a two-axis crane which is connected to the wireline and to the steelwork structure and an extension element, which is arranged on the outside of the racking platform and has a passage to the racking platform, and also by the fact that a set-down and make-up device, arranged beside or on the working platform, is provided for vertical pipes, it being possible for the set-down and make-up device to be accessed by the wireline.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drilling apparatus including a magazine for holding a plurality of pipes, and a drive head including a drive member adapted to be coupled to a pipe. The drive member is aligned along a drive axis. The drilling apparatus includes a first drive mechanism for rotating the drive member about the drive axis, and a second drive mechanism for moving the drive member axially along the drive axis. The drilling apparatus also includes a pipe transfer member for transferring pipes between the magazine and the drive head. The pipe transfer member defines a pipe receiving region for receiving a pipe. The pipe transfer member is movable between a first orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the magazine, and a second orientation in which the pipe receiving region is located adjacent to the drive axis of the drive head.

Abstract: A derrick comprises equipment (41) for movement of a pipe line/drill stem (13) or a pipe section (29) axially in the derrick (12), and equipment (65) for turning of same about its longitudinal axis, together with equipment (31) for installing pipe sections (29) in the derrick (12) and withdrawal of pipe sections (29) from the derrick (12). The equipment comprises an aggregate (41) of axially extendible/contractible hydraulic cylinders (42a-42c, 43a-43c, which are arranged in groups (42, 43, 44) in the aggregate (41) in two or more vertical rows, with an intermediate vertical guide for the pipe line/drill stem (13) or for the pipe section (29). The rows of cylinders are mutually rigidly connected via bridge portions (45′, 45″, 45′″), which separately form a fastening for at least one end of a group of cylinders. Each bridge portion is provided with a laterally opening recess (46) for sideways installation/withdrawal of a pipe section (29) in the guide between the rows of cylinders.

Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring sheets from which cards with a monetary value and/or identity cards are punched, where the cards are arranged in rows on the sheets. The device is configured such that the number of cameras used is independent of the number of rows of cards. The device has a table on which at least two sheets can be laid. A camera can be moved along and across the table, and a conveyor device travels along the table above the camera.