Abstract: A method includes coupling a damper to a cable and a load, and moving the damper, the cable, the load, or a combination thereof. In response to the movement, slack is introduced into the cable, and the slack is suddenly released, which exerts a tensile load on the damper and the cable. The damper is configured to dampen the tensile load exerted on the cable.

Abstract: A fingerboard includes a first finger and a second finger that are laterally offset from one another. A slot is defined between the first and second fingers. The fingerboard also includes a latch coupled to the first finger and configured to actuate from an open latch position into a closed latch position, and a panel coupled to the first finger and configured to actuate from an open panel position into a closed panel position. A tubular member in the slot prevents the panel from actuating into the closed panel position. The latch in the open latch position prevents the panel from actuating into the closed panel position. The panel in the closed panel position extends laterally between the first finger and the second finger so as to provide a surface across the slot.

Abstract: A method includes coupling a damper to a cable and a load, and moving the damper, the cable, the load, or a combination thereof. In response to the movement, slack is introduced into the cable, and the slack is suddenly released, which exerts a tensile load on the damper and the cable. The damper is configured to dampen the tensile load exerted on the cable.

Abstract: A damper includes an upper connector configured to be connected to a cable. The damper also includes a lower connector configured to be connected to a load. The damper also includes a body extending between and connecting together the upper and lower connectors. The body includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to experience greater plastic strain than the second portion.

Abstract: A fingerboard includes a first finger and a second finger that are laterally offset from one another. A slot is defined between the first and second fingers. The fingerboard also includes a latch coupled to the first finger and configured to actuate from an open latch position into a closed latch position, and a panel coupled to the first finger and configured to actuate from an open panel position into a closed panel position. A tubular member in the slot prevents the panel from actuating into the closed panel position. The latch in the open latch position prevents the panel from actuating into the closed panel position. The panel in the closed panel position extends laterally between the first finger and the second finger so as to provide a surface across the slot.

Abstract: A guide arm with dual guiding functionality is disclosed. The guide arm comprises two parallelogram mechanisms with a slew drive in between. The first parallelogram mechanism may move the guide arm between different travel positions. The slew drive may rotate the second parallelogram mechanism between different clock positions. The second parallelogram mechanism may extend and retract the guide arm. The guide arm may be mounted to a belly board or to a derrick wall rather than on a drill floor. A first guiding functionality may include guiding the lower end of a pipe stand in transfer between a drilling rig well center and a storage position. A second guiding functionality may include guiding the pin end of a single tubular between a drilling operation and a catwalk.

Abstract: A pipe racking system including two mechanical arms to move pipe stands to a dedicated position on a rig floor wherein at least one mechanical arm is connected to a mast of a drilling rig. A method to move a drilling rig comprising: providing a pipe racking system with two mechanical arms connected to the mast of the drilling rig; folding the pipe racking system onto the mast of the drilling rig; and transporting the drilling rig without disassembling the pipe racking system from the mast.

Abstract: A damper includes an upper connector configured to be connected to a cable. The damper also includes a lower connector configured to be connected to a load. The damper also includes a body extending between and connecting together the upper and lower connectors. The body includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to experience greater plastic strain than the second portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vertical pipe handler system (50) and method of its use include a casing tong handling tool (10) connected to a lifting tool (55) having a gripper head (51) and supported by an arm (53) of the vertical pipe handler system. The casing tong connection (33) of the handling tool is located toward the tool's lower end (21) and may be offset in a horizontal direction from the connection (29) to the lifting tool. The casing tong (60) then hangs off-center relative to the lifting tool. The amount of offset may be effective to prevent interference between the gripper head and a tubular being handled by the casing tong.

Abstract: A guide arm with dual guiding functionality is disclosed. The guide arm comprises two parallelogram mechanisms with a slew drive in between. The first parallelogram mechanism may move the guide arm between different travel positions. The slew drive may rotate the second parallelogram mechanism between different clock positions. The second parallelogram mechanism may extend and retract the guide arm. The guide arm may be mounted to a belly board or to a derrick wall rather than on a drill floor. A first guiding functionality may include guiding the lower end of a pipe stand in transfer between a drilling rig well center and a storage position. A second guiding functionality may include guiding the pin end of a single tubular between a drilling operation and a catwalk.

Abstract: A pipe racking system including two mechanical arms to move pipe stands to a dedicated position on a rig floor wherein at least one mechanical arm is connected to a mast of a drilling rig. A method to move a drilling rig comprising: providing a pipe racking system with two mechanical arms connected to the mast of the drilling rig; folding the pipe racking system onto the mast of the drilling rig; and transporting the drilling rig without disassembling the pipe racking system from the mast.

Abstract: Embodiments of a top-mounted hoisting system include a single-layer winch drum located at an uppermost end of a derrick or drilling mast, a drill string handling tool, and one or more drill lines extending from the single layer winch drum to the drill string handling tool. The drill string handling tool may be a top drive. When the drill line is connected directly to the lifted load, the drill line experiences far less load cycles than when the line runs through crown and travelling blocks. If the drum diameter is large enough, cut-and-slip operations may be eliminated, and the drill line may be replaced at longer time intervals. Embodiments provide for lower weight and may provide lower cost as a result. The top-mounted drum does not take up any space on the drill floor and less total length of drill line is also required than if the drum was floor-mounted.

Abstract: Embodiments of a top-mounted hoisting system include a single-layer winch drum located at an uppermost end of a derrick or drilling mast, a drill string handling tool, and one or more drill lines extending from the single layer winch drum to the drill string handling tool. The drill string handling tool may be a top drive. When the drill line is connected directly to the lifted load, the drill line experiences far less load cycles than when the line runs through crown and traveling blocks. If the drum diameter is large enough, cut-and-slip operations may be eliminated, and the drill line may be replaced at longer time intervals. Embodiments provide for lower weight and may provide lower cost as a result. The top-mounted drum does not take up any space on the drill floor and less total length of drill line is also required than if the drum was floor-mounted.

Abstract: A catwalk for transporting tubular members of a well system includes a substructure, a first transport frame pivotally coupled to the substructure at a first pivotal joint and including a first support surface configured to engage the tubular member, a second transport frame pivotally coupled to the first transport frame at a second pivotal joint and including a second support surface configured to engage the tubular member, and a strut pivotally coupled between the second transport frame and the substructure, wherein the strut is configured to transfer the weight of the tubular member from the second transport frame to the substructure when the tubular member is transported between the first support surface and the second support surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of a vertical pipe handler system (50) and method of its use include a casing tong handling tool (10) connected to a lifting tool (55) having a gripper head (51) and supported by an arm (53) of the vertical pipe handler system. The casing tong connection (33) of the handling tool is located toward the tool's lower end (21) and may be offset in a horizontal direction from the connection (29) to the lifting tool. The casing tong (60) then hangs off-center relative to the lifting tool. The amount of offset may be effective to prevent interference between the gripper head and a tubular being handled by the casing tong.

Abstract: A catwalk for transporting tubular members of a well system includes a substructure, a first transport frame pivotally coupled to the substructure at a first pivotal joint and including a first support surface configured to engage the tubular member, a second transport frame pivotally coupled to the first transport frame at a second pivotal joint and including a second support surface configured to engage the tubular member, and a strut pivotally coupled between the second transport frame and the substructure, wherein the strut is configured to transfer the weight of the tubular member from the second transport frame to the substructure when the tubular member is transported between the first support surface and the second support surface.