Abstract: A rotor carries a gripping mechanism operable to grip an elongated object such as a drill string section. The rotor is driven by one or more drive mechanisms comprising a flexible element such as a chain. The flexible element allows some relative motion of the rotor and the drive mechanism. The described apparatus has application in making and breaking connections between tubulars in subsurface drilling operations.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in subsurface drilling permits coupling and uncoupling of drill string sections while continuously moving the drill string. Tripping times can be reduced while maintaining low speeds of the drill string. In one embodiment coupling units operable to make or break couplings between drill string sections are arranged to circulate around a closed path. Each of the coupling units includes an elevator. Drill string sections may be passed off to a pipe handling system on a back side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.

Abstract: A drill string management apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may comprise a reel that stores a length of drill string and supplies the drill string to a drilling system. The drill string may be wrapped around a circumference of a reel in a coil. The radius of the coil may be large enough that the drill string is not deformed inelastically by wrapping it around the reel. The apparatus may be designed to allow the drill string to rotate about its longitudinal axis, even as the drill string is wrapped in a coil around the reel.

Abstract: A coupling may be used to couple a top drive to a traveling block in a drilling rig. The coupling comprises a beam that is movable between a retracted configuration in which a becket or bail may be passed behind the beam to a closed configuration in which the beam is linked behind the becket or bail. The beam may include a compound curvature contact area that mates with a corresponding contact area of the becket or bail. The coupling may be remotely actuated.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.

Abstract: A portable pipe handling apparatus and method includes providing a support structure adapted to support a pipe stand along a pipe stand building axis associated therewith, and inclining the pipe stand building axis so that an upper end of the axis is adjacent a top drive in a drilling rig mast and so that the pipe stand translation trajectory which is substantially co-axial with the pipe stand building axis intersects a hand-off window between the top drive and the pipe stand building axis.

Abstract: An integrated casing drive system combines a top drive having a rotary drive portion, a pipe handler having a casing gripper wherein the pipe handler is rotationally mounted to the top drive, and a selectively actuable casing drive lock for locking the rotary drive portion to the pipe handler.

Abstract: A vibratory screening machine such as used for separating solid particulate material from drilling mud to allow the latter to be re-used, is described. The general form of the construction is similar to that of the VSM100 shaker machine as supplied by the applicant company, but significant differences in the design and construction of the new unit allow a higher throughput of mud to be accommodated. An upper filtering screen (88) extends generally horizontally and serves to separate out the larger particles from the rest. The slurry which passes down to the lower screen (90) (of finer mesh than the upper screen) is further filtered and a mud-like residue of particulate material slowly accumulates on the lower screen (90) and migrates up the screen--to be discharged at the upper outlet end thereof, while liquid material filters through the screen to be recovered in a sump below.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transportation and slurrying of cuttings from an oil well or drilling rig is taught comprising a vessel and a vertical shaft type centrifugal pump located below the vessel. Paddles or similar blades are mounted on the shaft to agitate the slurry during pumping. Means for recirculating part of the exiting slurry through a control valve and into the top of the vessel are included.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of, and apparatus for detecting and analyzing moving particles using an impact responsive transducer which generates a detection signal having an amplitude related to force of particle impact. The transducer output signal is monitored and when it exceeds a given threshold, any local maximum values are noted. Those values are compared to determine which has the overall maximum amplitude. A final signal is then generated in order to provide a representation of the maximum value, and hence the momentum and time occurrence of a particle impact.

Abstract: A vibratory filtering screen assembly comprises an upwardly inclined member (12) on which is mounted the main filtering screen (14). At the exit (16) of the main screen is a secondary screen module (20) comprising a plurality of transverse supports (22) of rectangular section on which is mounted a screen (24) held in position by a silicon beading (26). Surrounding the secondary screen is a perimeter border or dam (28) for containing the discharge which is passed on to the secondary screen. In operation slurry is fed onto the main screen (12) where vibration passes it to exit (16). Wet solids components of the slurry drop into the secondary screen (20) where the vibration continues to dry out the solid particles, waste liquid being diverted away by a plate (30).