Abstract: A method of using a quill to steer a bit when elongating a wellbore, with the method including receiving real-time data associated with elongating the wellbore, wherein the real-time data associated with elongating the wellbore comprises data associated with: actual toolface orientation; surface-measured mud motor ?P; surface-measured quill torque; surface-measured weight-on-bit (“WOB”); and surface-measured quill position; learning, based on the real-time data, relationships between: surface-measured mud motor ?P and surface-measured torque; changes in surface-measured WOB and surface-measured torque; and changes in surface-measured quill position and actual toolface orientation; accessing, after learning the relationships, a desired toolface orientation; comparing, by the controller, the desired toolface orientation and the actual toolface orientation; and affecting, by the controller and based on the comparison and the learned relationships, a first change of the quill position and one or more of: mud moto

Abstract: A power system for an electrical system with highly fluctuating loads is powered by one or more power sources that are slow to react to load changes. The power sources are connected to electrical equipment used on the drill rig which provide active load to the generate. One or more load banks may be positioned to provide passive load to the generators to maintain generally constant generator load, while allowing for instant access to power as active load increases. Generators may be run at 100% capacity, a maximum efficient capacity, or at a high enough level to allow for a sufficiently rapid increase in power output. At least one parameter of a drilling operation may be utilized to anticipate load demand changes.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on the received data; comparing the location of the BHA to a planned drilling path to identify an amount of deviation; automatically creating a modified drilling path based on the amount of deviation and a predicted trend of a downhole parameter; detecting a trend of the downhole parameter while drilling along the modified drilling path; and automatically creating a further modified drilling path when the trend of the downhole parameter is a reversal of the predicted trend of the downhole parameter. The predicted trend of the downhole parameter is an increase of a d-exponent factor or a d-exponent-corrected factor with an increase in depth.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on the received data; comparing the location of the BHA to a planned drilling path to identify an amount of deviation; automatically creating a modified drilling path based on the amount of deviation and a predicted trend of a downhole parameter; detecting a trend of the downhole parameter while drilling along the modified drilling path; and automatically creating a further modified drilling path when the trend of the downhole parameter is a reversal of the predicted trend of the downhole parameter. The predicted trend of the downhole parameter is an increase of a d-exponent factor or a d-exponent-corrected factor with an increase in depth.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) from a drilling rig to a target location including by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on a directional trend and the projection; identifying an amount of deviation from a drilling path; automatically creating a modified drilling path that intersects the planned drilling path based on the amount of deviation exceeding a first threshold amount of deviation and being less than a second threshold amount of deviation, automatically creating a modified drilling path that does not intersect the planned drilling path in response to the amount of deviation exceeding the second threshold amount of deviation, and determining a curve profile of the modified drilling path having the smallest rate of curvature to avoid drilling overshoot; and steering the BHA.

Abstract: A system and method of directionally steering a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”) from a drilling rig to a target location including by receiving data indicative of a directional trend of the BHA and a projection to bit depth; determining a location of the BHA based on a directional trend and the projection; identifying an amount of deviation from a drilling path; automatically creating a modified drilling path that intersects the planned drilling path based on the amount of deviation exceeding a first threshold amount of deviation and being less than a second threshold amount of deviation, automatically creating a modified drilling path that does not intersect the planned drilling path in response to the amount of deviation exceeding the second threshold amount of deviation, and determining a curve profile of the modified drilling path having the smallest rate of curvature to avoid drilling overshoot; and steering the BHA.

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: An electric motor for a direct drive drawworks may be supported by one or more motor mounts. The motor mounts may include adjusting assemblies adapted to increase or decrease the length of the motor mounts. The motor mounts may include damping assemblies adapted to allow damped motion between the electric motor and the surface. The length and damping coefficients of the motor mounts may be adjusted to align the electric motor with the drum or shaft to reduce vibration. The electric motor may be removable from the drawworks by, for example, a splined shaft, a flange coupled shaft, or the rotor being selectively removable from the interior of the motor.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a drilling rig carriage is adapted to move along a drilling mast, and includes a body structure, electric motors coupled to the body structure, and pinions operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively. The pinions are adapted to engage racks, respectively. According to another aspect, a drilling mast includes a longitudinally-extending frame having a first side portion and a second side portion spaced therefrom. Racks are coupled to the frame at the first side portion thereof. According to yet another aspect, an apparatus includes a drilling mast or tower extending longitudinally along an axis, the tower including racks spaced in a parallel relation. A top drive is movable along the axis and relative to the tower. Electric motors are coupled to the top drive and movable therewith. Pinions are operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively, and engage the racks, respectively, to move the top drive.

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 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 system and method for calculating a path during drilling of a BHA between first and second survey points. The method includes calculating an amount of first incremental progress made by the BHA since the first survey point; calculating a first estimate of a first current location based on the first survey point and the amount of first incremental progress; causing at least one drilling parameter to be modified in order to alter a drilling direction of the BHA based on the first estimate; calculating an amount of second incremental progress made by the BHA; calculating a second estimate of the second current location based on the amount of second incremental progress and an aggregation of data received from the BHA, including data associated with the first survey point; and causing at least one drilling parameter to be modified in order to alter the drilling direction of the BHA.

Abstract: Methods and systems for drilling to a target location include a control system that receives an input comprising a planned drilling path to a target location and determines a projected location of a bottom hole assembly of a drilling system. The projected location of the bottom hole assembly is compared to the planned drilling path to determine a deviation amount. A modified drilling path is created to the target location as selected based on the amount of deviation from the planned drilling path, and drilling rig control signals that steer the bottom hole assembly of the drilling system to the target location along the modified drilling path are generated to intersect the planned drilling path if the amount of deviation from the planned path exceeds a first threshold amount of deviation.

Abstract: A tubular joint elevator includes a ringed portion configured to lift a tubular joint. The elevator includes an elevating mechanism disposed adjacent to the ringed portion, and configured to elevate the tubular joint. In some embodiments, the elevator includes first, second, and third doors. The elevator includes a first locking member, and the first door includes a first locking recess. The first locking member is axially displaceable between an advanced position and a retracted position such that it is either received in or separated from the first locking recess. The third door includes a locking pin, and the first door comprises a locking hole. The third door is longitudinally displaceable between a first position and a second position such that the locking pin is either separated from, or received in, the locking hole. Methods of using the same are also included.

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor having a high speed ratio may remove the need for a gearbox or multiple windings in the permanent magnet motor. A gearbox or a multiple-winding configuration stator may thus be omitted.

Abstract: A power system for an electrical system with highly fluctuating loads is powered by one or more power sources that are slow to react to load changes. The power sources are connected to electrical equipment used on the drill rig which provide active load to the generate. One or more load banks may be positioned to provide passive load to the generators to maintain generally constant generator load, while allowing for instant access to power as active load increases. Generators may be run at 100% capacity, a maximum efficient capacity, or at a high enough level to allow for a sufficiently rapid increase in power output. At least one parameter of a drilling operation may be utilized to anticipate load demand changes.

Abstract: A power system for an electrical system with highly fluctuating loads is powered by one or more power sources that are slow to react to load changes. The power sources are connected to electrical equipment used on the drill rig which provide active load to the generators. One or more load banks may be positioned to provide passive load to the generators to maintain generally constant generator load, while allowing for instant access to power as active load increases. Generators may be run at 100% capacity, a maximum efficient capacity, or at a high enough level to allow for a sufficiently rapid increase in power output. At least one parameter of a drilling operation may be utilized to anticipate load demand changes.

Abstract: An apparatus including a stationary section having a first central fluid passage and operably connected to a drilling fluid inlet and a conduit, a rotating and reciprocating section having a second central fluid passage and operably connected to a tubular, wherein the rotating and reciprocating section reciprocates along a longitudinal axis and rotates in conjunction with the tubular and the conduit, and a third section having a third central fluid passage in fluid communication between the first and second central fluid passages, where the third section is operably disposed between the first and rotating and reciprocating sections to permit the rotating and reciprocating section to slide axially even during rotation and to permit only rotational motion at an end adjacent the stationary section.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a drilling rig carriage is adapted to move along a drilling mast, and includes a body structure, electric motors coupled to the body structure, and pinions operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively. The pinions are adapted to engage racks, respectively. According to another aspect, a drilling mast includes a longitudinally-extending frame having a first side portion and a second side portion spaced therefrom. Racks are coupled to the frame at the first side portion thereof. According to yet another aspect, an apparatus includes a drilling mast or tower extending longitudinally along an axis, the tower including racks spaced in a parallel relation. A top drive is movable along the axis and relative to the tower. Electric motors are coupled to the top drive and movable therewith. Pinions are operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively, and engage the racks, respectively, to move the top drive.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a drilling rig carriage is adapted to move along a drilling mast, and includes a body structure, electric motors coupled to the body structure, and pinions operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively. The pinions are adapted to engage racks, respectively. According to another aspect, a drilling mast includes a longitudinally-extending frame having a first side portion and a second side portion spaced therefrom. Racks are coupled to the frame at the first side portion thereof. According to yet another aspect, an apparatus includes a drilling mast or tower extending longitudinally along an axis, the tower including racks spaced in a parallel relation. A top drive is movable along the axis and relative to the tower. Electric motors are coupled to the top drive and movable therewith. Pinions are operably coupled to the electric motors, respectively, and engage the racks, respectively, to move the top drive.