Abstract: An apparatus for remote monitoring of well operations. The apparatus may include an alerts module positioned proximate a well, at least one well parameter sensor in communication with the alerts module, and a well operation control module in communication with the alerts module. The apparatus may further include a remotely positioned well monitoring station in communication with the alerts module, and a plurality of user terminal in communication with the well monitoring station.

Abstract: A system for remote monitoring of well operations. The system may include an alerts module positioned proximate a well, at least one well parameter sensor in communication with the alerts module, and a well operation control module in communication with the alerts module. The system may further include a remotely positioned well monitoring station in communication with the alerts module, and a user terminal in communication with the well monitoring station.

Abstract: Spin-in and spin-out apparatus and methods are presented wherein an oilfield tubular spinner used in combination with a wrench detects the shouldering-up of tubulars during make-up and tubular thread disengagement during break-out. Sensors are employed to quantify measurables indicative of shouldering-up and thread disengagement, the measurables being used to shutdown spin-in and spin-out operations. Thresholds are employed to detect measurable values of interest. Timers may be employed to monitor and control the spin-in and spin-out operations.

Abstract: A method for field weakening control of a three phase permanent magnet AC motor in a VFD drive. The VFD drive calculates the three phase voltages to be supplied to the AC motor via a three phase inverter using feedback and feed-forward calculations of quadrature and direct demand currents.

Abstract: A low inertia permanent magnet motor includes a stator and rotor. The rotor includes a generally tubular and hollow rotor body coupled to the shaft of the motor by one or more spokes and/or webs. The permanent magnets of the rotor are coupled to the rotor body. In some embodiments, the low inertia permanent magnet motor may be used to power a drawworks. In some embodiments, the drawworks may be controlled by an active heave compensation controller.

Abstract: A tubular handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool adapted to provide load-bearing, and preferably torquing, capacity upon the gripping of a tubular is provided. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member associated with the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of gripping elements disposed between the slotted member and recessed member. Each such gripping element is adapted to move with an engaged tubular so as to grip the tubular. A tubular member elevator associated to the running tool, as well as related floor slips, are also encompassed. Methods of casing running are also included.

Abstract: A method includes oscillating, with a first acceleration profile, at least a portion of a drill string using a top drive at least indirectly coupled to the drill string and includes oscillating, with a second acceleration profile different from the first acceleration profile, at least a portion of the drill string using the top drive. The method also includes oscillating, with a third acceleration profile, at least a portion of the drill string using the top drive, wherein the third acceleration profile is optimized based on feedback associated with the oscillation with the first acceleration profile and feedback associated with the oscillation with the second acceleration profile.

Abstract: A system for manipulating tubulars for subterranean operations includes a mousehole assembly having a cavity including a first mousehole, a second mousehole spaced apart from the first mousehole, a mechanism configured to change a position of at least one of the first mousehole and second mousehole within the cavity.

Abstract: A weight-based tubular interlock apparatus adapted to determine whether a tubular is engagingly gripped by a rig-based hoisting device or a secondary gripping device is described. The apparatus includes at least two gripping mechanisms and an interlock system operatively connected that is adapted to measure a tubular load on at least one of the gripping mechanisms and to compare the tubular load to a predetermined load to deter nine whether the at least one gripping mechanism is gripping the tubular. The gripping mechanism is adapted to release the tubular only when the tubular load meets the predetermined load, upon which a release force sufficient to release the tubular from the gripping mechanism is applied to the tubular relative to the gripping mechanism. Methods of using the interlock apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A mud-gas separator is arranged for both well control and drilling process. In some aspects, the mud-gas separator includes a main vessel including a bottom portion and a side portion. The mud-gas separator also includes a gas vent associated with the main vessel and configured to vent gas from well returns introduced into the main vessel. It also includes a first mud outlet formed within the bottom portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel and includes a second mud outlet formed within the side portion of the main vessel and configured to pass mud from well returns introduced into the main vessel.

Abstract: Multiple methods and corresponding apparatuses for efficient and reliable defect diagnosis in components of mechanical systems, are described. According to one aspect, multi-scale enveloping-order spectrogram is used to diagnose, or detect, defects in a moving component of a mechanical system. According to another aspect, defect identification and diagnosis in a motor is performed based on spectral characteristics of motor current envelope. According to yet another aspect, a logic rule model, employing classification of features associated with single- or multi-sensor data, is employed for diagnosis of defects in components of mechanical systems.

Abstract: Automated make-up and break-up methods and apparatus for rotary oil well drilling are presented. The apparatus includes a drilling database storing tubular type records, a torque wrench having a spinner, and a controller. During make-up, the controller retrieves one or more tubular type records stored in the drilling database in order to configure the torque wrench and/or the spinner to connect an additional tubular section to a tubular string or to disconnect a connection between tubulars in accordance with tubular type parameters. Sensors are employed on various drill rig components and reported sensor values are monitored. Timers are started concurrent with the initiation of various make-up and break-out steps. Exceptions are thrown when sensor values are out-of-range or when steps take too long to complete. Advantages are derived from speeding-up drill rig operations.

Abstract: A method of testing and monitoring operational integrity of a drilling rig is described. The method includes operating the drilling rig in a non-drilling mode at a sequence of different phases including an acceleration phase, a constant speed phase, and a decelerating phase, collecting sensor data associated with one or more components of the drilling rig while the drilling is operated in the non-drilling mode at the sequence of different phases, and analyzing the collected sensor data to determine the operational integrity of the drilling rig. The analyzed data, together with previously stored historical data is used to estimate the life expectancy of the rig and monitor, plan, control, or report maintenance activity for the drilling rig, top drive, or any other system.

Abstract: A direct drive drawworks (100) has a permanent magnet motor (40) with a first set of windings (250) and a second set of windings (252), a shaft (41) extending from the permanent magnet motor (40) such that the permanent magnet motor directly rotates the shaft (41), a drum (43) connected to the shaft (41) away from the permanent magnet motor (40) such that the rotation of the shaft (41) causes a corresponding rotation of the drum (43), and a switch cooperative with the first set of windings and the second set of windings so as to cause the sets of windings to be selectively connected in parallel or in series.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface.

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 top entry wireline apparatus with a roller chain configuration for inserting a manipulating an electrical conduit into a wellbore and a method of using the same.

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

Abstract: A tubular member handling apparatus including a tubular member running tool, an elevator, first actuators each extending between the running tool and the elevator, and second actuators each extending between the running tool and a corresponding first actuator. The running tool includes a slotted member having a plurality of elongated slots, a recessed member slidably coupled to the slotted member and having a plurality of recesses, and a plurality of rolling members each retained between one of the recesses and one of the slots. Each rolling member partially extends through an adjacent slot when located in a shallow end of a corresponding recess, and retracts to within an outer perimeter of the slotted member when located in a deep end of the corresponding recess.

Abstract: A top drive system with a plurality of top drive modules, which are configured to be quickly exchanged. The top drive modules may include any or all of the following: a main body module, a gearbox module, a drive motor module, a pipe handler module, an upper fluid module, a lower well control valve module, a block interface module, a retract system interface frame module, a cooling system module, a work platform guard module, and a quill saver sub module. Alternatively, the top drive may comprise a first top drive and a second top drive which are configured to be quickly exchanged.