Abstract: A system includes a top drive system; a drilling riser running tool configured to be deployed by the top drive system; a fluid line configured to run from the top drive system to the drilling riser running tool; and a liquid filing system. The drilling riser running tool includes a tool head module configured to engage and hold a first riser joint at a top end such that with the top drive system above the drilling riser running tool, the first riser joint can be lowered towards a second riser joint being held near a drill floor. The first riser joint includes a central tube and a first auxiliary line. The liquid filling system is configured to provide liquid filling of the first auxiliary line via the fluid line after connection of the first and second riser joints and while the first and second riser joints are being run.

Abstract: A system includes a top drive system; a drilling riser running tool configured to be deployed by the top drive system; a fluid line configured to run from the top drive system to the drilling riser running tool; and a liquid filing system. The drilling riser running tool includes a tool head module configured to engage and hold a first riser joint at a top end such that with the top drive system above the drilling riser running tool, the first riser joint can be lowered towards a second riser joint being held near a drill floor. The first riser joint includes a central tube and a first auxiliary line. The liquid filling system is configured to provide liquid filling of the first auxiliary line via the fluid line after connection of the first and second riser joints and while the first and second riser joints are being run.

Abstract: A drilling riser running system includes a water filling system and a pressure testing system that can fill and pressure test auxiliary lines of the riser system, while simultaneously running a riser joint.

Abstract: A vertical pipe handling system comprising a bellyboard with at least one automated guide for leading tubulars between the fingers of the bellyboard. A method to move a tubular on or above a rig floor comprising automatically moving the tubular with a racking system comprising a bellyboard with at least one automated guide for leading tubulars between the fingers of the bellyboard.

Abstract: A fingerboard has a first portion configured to receive a first pipe and a second portion configured to receive a second pipe. The fingerboard includes a fixed section and a movable section, each having fingers and latches that define a pipe receiving space. The pipe receiving space of the fixed section is sized for drill pipe while the pipe receiving space of the movable section may be the same size as the pipe receiving space of the fixed section or a different size than the pipe receiving space of the fixed section. The movable section has a first and a second pipe receiving spaces. The second pipe receiving space may be larger than the first pipe receiving space. A hinge moves the movable section to selectively locate the first pipe receiving portion and the second pipe receiving portion adjacent to the fixed section. A mover, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is affixed to the movable section.

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: A hoisting system of this disclosure includes a drawworks, a crown block or a compensator, a traveling block and at least one sheave assembly connected to the crown block or compensator in “Low Load/High Speed” mode and connected to the traveling block in “High Load/Low Speed” mode. A method to lift a load using a hoisting system of this disclosure uses a drawworks, a crown block or a compensator, a traveling block and at least one sheave assembly connected to the crown block or compensator in “Low Load/High Speed” mode and connected to the traveling block in “High Load/Low Speed” mode.

Abstract: A drilling riser running system includes an automated self-aligning system that can detect and correct when two riser joints are not properly aligned prior to contact between the joints. The system can also include a counter-weight load compensating system that can detect contact between riser joints when they are mis-aligned and reduce the effective load to reduce likelihood of damage resulting from the contact.

Abstract: A drilling riser running system includes a water filling system and a pressure testing system that can fill and pressure test auxiliary lines of the riser system, while simultaneously running a riser joint.

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 fingerboard has a first portion configured to receive a first pipe and a second portion configured to receive a second pipe. The fingerboard includes a fixed section and a movable section, each having fingers and latches that define a pipe receiving space. The pipe receiving space of the fixed section is sized for drill pipe while the pipe receiving space of the movable section may be the same size as the pipe receiving space of the fixed section or a different size than the pipe receiving space of the fixed section. The movable section has a first and a second pipe receiving spaces. The second pipe receiving space may be larger than the first pipe receiving space. A hinge moves the movable section to selectively locate the first pipe receiving portion and the second pipe receiving portion adjacent to the fixed section. A mover, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is affixed to the movable section.

Abstract: A vertical pipe handling system comprising a bellyboard with at least one automated guide for leading tubulars between the fingers of the bellyboard. A method to move a tubular on or above a rig floor comprising automatically moving the tubular with a racking system comprising a bellyboard with at least one automated guide for leading tubulars between the fingers of the bellyboard.