Abstract: A rotary slips lift system for oilfield tubulars includes a movable base adapted to move between a first position and a second position where the first position is closer to a bowl in a drilling rig floor than the second position. The system further includes a lifting arm having a first end and a second end where the second end is pivotally coupled to the movable base and where the lifting arm has a first arm position and a second arm position. The system further includes a rotary slips where the rotary slips is removably coupled to the first end of the lifting arm and where the rotary slips is adapted to be in a first slips position when the lifting arm is in the first arm position and the movable base is in the first position.

Abstract: A system and method for stall recovery of mud motors may be implemented in a steering control system. The stall recovery system and method may involve automatic detection of a stall of a mud motor during drilling controlled by the steering control system, and may respond to the stall in a rapid and controlled manner to avoid or minimize damage to the mud motor, such as by immediately reducing mud pressure and stopping rotary drilling, if used, faster than a typical human operator could perform. The stall recovery system and method may further take actions to automatically restart drilling.

Abstract: A rotary slips lift system for oilfield tubulars includes a movable base adapted to move between a first position and a second position where the first position is closer to a bowl in a drilling rig floor than the second position. The system further includes a lifting arm having a first end and a second end where the second end is pivotally coupled to the movable base and where the lifting arm has a first arm position and a second arm position. The system further includes a rotary slips where the rotary slips is removably coupled to the first end of the lifting arm and where the rotary slips is adapted to be in a first slips position when the lifting arm is in the first arm position and the movable base is in the first position.

Abstract: A method for connecting drill pipe to a drillstring in a wellbore includes positioning a lower section of drill pipe within a rotary slips and setting the rotary slips. The method includes positioning an upper section of drill pipe over a lower section of drill pipe and signaling an iron roughneck to extend toward a joint of the lower section of drill pipe and upper section of drill pipe. The method includes raising the iron roughneck to a height such that opposing tongs are positioned above and below the joint between the upper section of drill pipe and the lower section of drill pipe, spinning the upper section of drill pipe into the lower section of drill pipe, clamping onto the lower section of drill pipe with the tongs of the iron roughneck, and spinning the upper section of drill pipe into the lower section of drill pipe.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.

Abstract: A system and method for stall recovery of mud motors may be implemented in a steering control system. The stall recovery system and method may involve automatic detection of a stall of a mud motor during drilling controlled by the steering control system, and may respond to the stall in a rapid and controlled manner to avoid or minimize damage to the mud motor, such as by immediately reducing mud pressure and stopping rotary drilling, if used, faster than a typical human operator could perform. The stall recovery system and method may farther take actions to automatically restart drilling.

Abstract: A boom system for utility service lines (such as cables, wires, hoses, pipes, etc.) for a drilling rig. The mobile boom system includes a skid with posts and one or more booms pivotally attached to each post. One or more articulating booms attached to a first post can support and carry the service lines connected to the sources and one or more articulating booms attached to the second post can support and carry the service lines connected to a drilling rig, or to a 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. The mobile boom system can be adapted so that it has first, second, and third booms which can be placed in a closed position and fit within a perimeter defined by the skid for easier transportation to and from a drilling site.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.

Abstract: A boom system for utility service lines (such as cables, wires, hoses, pipes, etc.) for a drilling rig. The mobile boom system includes a skid with posts and one or more booms pivotally attached to each post. One or more articulating booms attached to a first post can support and carry the service lines connected to the sources and one or more articulating booms attached to the second post can support and carry the service lines connected to a drilling rig, or to a 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. The mobile boom system can be adapted so that it has first, second, and third booms which can be placed in a closed position and fit within a perimeter defined by the skid for easier transportation to and from a drilling site.

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: 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: A method and apparatus to move a modular drilling rig in formation wherein the drilling rig includes a plurality of self-propelled modules to facilitate the movement of the rig while all systems are intact and fully operational. The apparatus includes a plurality of wheel assemblies which are steerable to guide the modules during movement. The apparatus also includes a propulsion system for each of the modules to drive each of the modules during movement. A steering control and position feedback system is also provided for determining the relative position of each module with respect to the master module. This control and feedback system provides feedback to the steering control and feedback systems of other modules in order to move the modules in a formation.

Abstract: A process to lower or raise a drilling rig for transportation wherein the drilling rig includes a mast and a top drive. The process to lower includes the steps of moving the top drive within the mast with a vertical guide and torque reaction mechanism to a locked position and locking the top drive to the mast with a locking mechanism. The mast and the top drive are lowered together from a vertical position to a horizontal position. The combined mast and top drive may then be transported in the horizontal position without disconnecting electrical, mud line or other services.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to assemble and disassemble a valve cover locking screw assembly for a reciprocating pump module block. The module block has a bore, a removable valve cover closing the bore, and a valve cover locking ring securable to the block and surrounding the bore with internal threads. A valve cover locking screw has cylindrical walls with external threads, a closed top, and an open bottom. A plurality of threaded bolts engage a plurality of threaded openings through the cylindrical walls of the locking screw so that the bolts force the valve cover against the module block thereby creating a fluid tight seal.

Abstract: A liner retention system for a reciprocating pump having a piston and a piston rod operating in a cavity of a frame. The system includes a cylindrical liner for the piston and piston rod, the liner having a radially extending external shoulder. A liner clamp plate has a central opening receivable over the liner and a plurality of stud apertures. A plurality of studs extends from the frame, each stud terminating in a threaded end spaced from a module block. At least one compression sleeve has an inside diameter larger than an external diameter of the stud. Tensioner mechanism secures each stud to the liner clamp plate to thereby secure the cylindrical liner to the module block.

Abstract: A method of self-aligning connections for a two section mast. The method includes the steps of transporting the elongated bottom mast section to a guide frame adjacent to a well site, the bottom mast section having a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. An elongated top mast section is transported to the well site, the top mast section having a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. The legs of the bottom mast section are positioned slightly below a level of the legs of the top mast section. Thereafter, the bottom mast section is raised slightly to order to engage the top mast section while simultaneously aligning the mast sections together. The sections are thereafter pinned together.

Abstract: A process to transport a blow out preventer for a drilling rig having a drawworks wherein the blow out preventer is transported between a storage area and a use position over a wellbore. The process includes the steps of connecting an upper connector end of an elongated running tool to the drawworks of the drilling rig. The elongated running tool is moved in position parallel to the wellbore using the drawworks of the drilling rig. The running tool is lowered so that a stab connection is made between a lower connector end of the running tool and the blow out preventer. The blow out preventer is thereafter moved over and in alignment with the wellbore.

Abstract: A transportation, storage and installation device for rig utilities. The device includes a telescoping bridge having an outer frame assembly with an opening therethrough supporting a plurality of cables. The telescoping bridge also includes an inner beam assembly receivable within the outer frame assembly opening supporting a plurality of cables, wherein the inner beam assembly may be extended from or retracted into the opening. The device also includes a utility boom having an elongated post terminating in a rotatable boom base, and a boom pivotally connected to the boom base wherein the pivotal connection has an axis transverse to the post. At least one cylinder moves the boom from a storage position substantially perpendicular to the post to a position wherein the boom is at an obtuse angle to the storage position. The device also includes a service arm supporting a plurality of electrical cables.

Abstract: A blowout preventer transportation and installation system. The system includes a transportation skid assembly having a transport carriage to raise the blowout preventer between a horizontal transport position and a vertical position. The transport carriage on the skid assembly moves the blowout preventer with respect to the skid assembly. A boomer assembly having a crane mounted on a carriage frame on a boomer assembly frame raises and lowers the blowout preventer. The carriage frame moves with respect to the boomer assembly frame to move the blowout preventer over a wellhead. A control line support assembly supports hose lines extending between the blowout preventer and a hydraulic power unit.