Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein describe a valve cover assembly that enables the easy removal and insertion of a screw gland into a threaded ring. The valve cover assembly includes an outside housing that provides an offset between a fluid end module and a top end of the valve cover assembly. A spring is positioned between the top end and the threaded ring and biased to provide a downward force on the threaded ring. The screw gland applies a reaction force against a valve plug. A piston is positioned at a base of the threaded ring in contact with the fluid end module. When actuated, the piston overcomes the downward force and lifts the threaded ring from the fluid end module. This reduces the force on the plug and allows a user to remove the screw gland by hand (and install as well) and without additional machinery required.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include a racker device and a catwalk structurally arranged to move a tubular or stand about a drilling rig site. A sensing arrangement is cooperatively associated with at least one of the racker device and the catwalk and is configured to sense an aspect of a tubular while the tubular is being handled at the drilling rig and output a signal representative of the aspect of the tubular. A tubular validation system is configured to receive the sensed aspect of the tubular obtained by the sensing arrangement and determine a specification characteristic of the tubular based on the sensed aspect. This may be compared to specification standards to determine whether the tubular or stand should be discarded.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include an x-direction support structure extending in the same direction as a line extending between a well center and a V-door on a drilling rig and include a y-direction support structure moveable along the x-direction support structure. The y-direction support structure extends on a drilling rig in a direction transverse to the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig. A racker device is carried by the y-direction support structure and is configured to connect to and carry a tubular stand used in a well drilling process, the racker device being moveable along the y-direction support structure from a position inline with the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig to a position offline from the line to provide space for additional drilling processes along the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include a well-center drilling opening in a drilling rig floor of a mobile drilling rig and a v-door to the drilling rig. A mast is disposed about the well-center drilling opening and carrying drilling components of a drilling system. The mast supports a fingerboard that includes a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending fingers having openings between ends thereof and being arranged to receive tubulars therebetween. The plurality of fingers extending in the same direction as a line between the well-center drilling opening and the v-door. A racker device is moveable in a lateral direction relative to the direction of the line between the well-center drilling opening and the v-door.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include a parking system for a drilling rig. The parking system includes a first track portion extending along a pathway between a well center and a V-door on a drilling rig and a second track portion extending in a transverse direction relative to the first track portion. A trolley is configured to carry a racking device and move along at least a portion of the first track portion and the second track portion between a position in the pathway between well center and the V-door on a drilling rig and a position offline and out of the pathway between well center and the V-door on a drilling rig.

Abstract: Methods for erecting a drilling structure on a drilling rig include hoisting a first end of a column racker with a support carried by a mast on the drilling rig while the column racker is in a first position, and advancing a second end of a column racker along a solid surface toward the mast while simultaneously hoisting the first end of the column racker to move the column racker toward a second position that is closer to vertical than the first position. Other methods include raising a first end of a column racker with a ground-based, powered lift structure, and introducing the first end of the column racker to the rig floor while supporting the weight of the column racker with the ground-based, powered lift structure.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a body structurally arranged to carry a portion of a drilling rig; a first actuator coupled to the body; a first wheeled support coupled to the first actuator, wherein actuation of the first actuator moves the first wheeled support in a vertical direction relative to the body; and a plurality of unit fasteners located on the body, each of the plurality of unit fasteners structurally arranged to engage a rig fastener of a corresponding plurality of rig fasteners located on the drilling rig and to simultaneously couple the body to the drilling rig at multiple points.

Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein describe a tubular retention system arranged over a mousehole. The tubular retention system includes load bearing plates that are mutually opposed, vertically aligned, and connected to an eternal support structure via upper and lower links that, together, form a parallelogram shape movable to engage tubulars of varying diameters. The load bearing plates are pulled down by a biasing system to engage the tubular and synchronized by a lifting ring connecting the load bearing plates together. Mutually opposing deflector plates are connected to the load bearing plates and move in response to the downward movement of the load bearing plates, providing a centering force against the tubular to assure proper retention once the load bearing links engage the tubular. An upward force enables the load bearing plates to return upward and outward to release the tubular.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for erecting drilling structures including drill floors and drilling masts include attaching a rigging line to the drilling structure and to a strand jack arranged with at least one hydraulic jack and a plurality of clamps that alternatingly secure onto the rigging line and pull the rigging line in tension. Pulling the rigging line with the strand jack raises the drilling structures to an upright or elevated position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include an x-direction support structure extending in the same direction as a line extending between a well center and a V-door on a drilling rig and include a y-direction support structure moveable along the x-direction support structure. The y-direction support structure extends on a drilling rig in a direction transverse to the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig. A racker device is carried by the y-direction support structure and is configured to connect to and carry a tubular stand used in a well drilling process, the racker device being moveable along the y-direction support structure from a position inline with the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig to a position offline from the line to provide space for additional drilling processes along the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include a racker device and a catwalk structurally arranged to move a tubular or stand about a drilling rig site. A sensing arrangement is cooperatively associated with at least one of the racker device and the catwalk and is configured to sense an aspect of a tubular while the tubular is being handled at the drilling rig and output a signal representative of the aspect of the tubular. A tubular validation system is configured to receive the sensed aspect of the tubular obtained by the sensing arrangement and determine a specification characteristic of the tubular based on the sensed aspect. This may be compared to specification standards to determine whether the tubular or stand should be discarded.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include a racker device for moving tubular stands on a drilling rig, a fingerboard cooperatively disposed to receive tubular stands from the racker device and to support the tubular stands in a vertical arrangement, and a racking control system in communication with the racker device and configured to control the racker device. The racking control system may include a tubular management system that receives data relating to a well plan and driller settings, assesses the well plan and driller settings, and based on the well plan and driller settings, develops a racking plan setting out proposed racking locations for the tubular stands to be used in a drilling procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include a racker device for moving tubular stands on a drilling rig, a fingerboard cooperatively disposed to receive tubular stands from the racker device and to support the tubular stands in a vertical arrangement, and a racking control system in communication with the racker device and configured to control the racker device. The racking control system may include a tubular management system that receives data relating to a well plan and driller settings, assesses the well plan and driller settings, and based on the well plan and driller settings, develops a racking plan setting out proposed racking locations for the tubular stands to be used in a drilling procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods include an x-direction support structure extending in the same direction as a line extending between a well center and a V-door on a drilling rig and include a y-direction support structure moveable along the x-direction support structure. The y-direction support structure extends on a drilling rig in a direction transverse to the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig. A racker device is carried by the y-direction support structure and is configured to connect to and carry a tubular stand used in a well drilling process, the racker device being moveable along the y-direction support structure from a position inline with the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig to a position offline from the line to provide space for additional drilling processes along the line extending between the well center and the V-door on the drilling rig.

Abstract: A method of protecting against loss of downhole tools in wells, the method comprising the steps of making repeated use of a wire rope to suspend downhole tools in wells, the downhole tools being suspended from a downhole end of the wire rope, testing the integrity of the wire rope from time to time according to a maintenance schedule, and shortening the wire rope when the wire rope fails integrity testing. Tests that may be performed are a test of the longitudinal strength of at least one wire from the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the stretch of the wire rope, a test of the diameter of a wire from the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the diameter of the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the flex strength of a wire from the wire rope, a test of the twist strength of a wire from the wire rope; and a test of the weight of a segment of the wire rope.

Abstract: A swabbing tool for wells that filters particulates from fluids passing through the swabbing tool. The swabbing tool comprises a mandrel, at least one swab cup on the mandrel, the mandrel and swab cup being arranged to allow fluids to pass from below to above the swab cup; and a sifter attached to the swabbing tool below the swab cup for filtering particulates from fluid passing from below to above the swab cup. The sifter is barrel shaped and is provided with a sealing element attached to the sifter to force fluid into the sifter. The sifter has an interior and the sealing element is dimensioned to seal against a casing or tubing wall and force fluid into the sifter. The openings in the sand sifting element may be slots, with a size between 0.125 mm to 0.635 mm.

Abstract: A method of protecting against loss of downhole tools in wells, the method comprising the steps of making repeated use of a wire rope to suspend downhole tools in wells, the downhole tools being suspended from a downhole end of the wire rope, testing the integrity of the wire rope from time to time according to a maintenance schedule, and shortening the wire rope when the wire rope fails integrity testing. Tests that may be performed are a test of the longitudinal strength of at least one wire from the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the stretch of the wire rope, a test of the diameter of a wire from the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the diameter of the downhole end of the wire rope, a test of the flex strength of a wire from the wire rope, a test of the twist strength of a wire from the wire rope; and a test of the weight of a segment of the wire rope.

Abstract: A wire rope and socket combination comprises a wire rope socket, a rope formed of strands of twisted wires extending into the wire rope socket, selected strands of the twisted wires being bent over 180 degrees within the wire rope socket to provide a selected breaking strength; and babbit securing the rope in the wire rope socket. A method of constructing a wire rope socket, the method comprising the steps of: bending selected strands of a rope formed of twisted wires over 180 degrees to form bent strands; inserting the rope and bended strands into a wire rope socket; and pouring molten babbitt into the wire rope socket to secure the rope in the wire rope socket.

Abstract: A swabbing tool for wells that filters particulates from fluids passing through the swabbing tool. The swabbing tool comprises a mandrel, at least one swab cup on the mandrel, the mandrel and swab cup being arranged to allow fluids to pass from below to above the swab cup; and a sifter attached to the swabbing tool below the swab cup for filtering particulates from fluid passing from below to above the swab cup. The sifter is barrel shaped and is provided with a sealing element attached to the sifter to force fluid into the sifter. The sifter has an interior and the sealing element is dimensioned to seal against a casing or tubing wall and force fluid into the sifter. The openings in the sand sifting element may be slots, with a size between 0.125 mm to 0.635 mm.

Abstract: A portable top drive drilling unit that is a self-contained assembly of components adapted for quick installation in a drilling rig and which requires a minimum of modification to the rig structure.