Abstract: A back-up wrench device of a top drive assembly of a drilling rig comprises a gripper device operable to grip an end of a drill pipe, and at least one fluid actuator operable to compensate for thread travel during makeup or breakout operations. The back-up wrench device can comprise a first housing coupled to the gripper device and a second housing coupled to a support structure of the top drive assembly, and can comprise a primary hydraulic housing movably coupled to the first and second housings. The at least one fluid actuator can include upper and lower fluid actuators each movable through upper and lower fluid chambers of the primary hydraulic housing during respective makeup and breakout operations to compensate for thread travel. Associated systems and methods for thread compensation with the back-up wrench are provided.

Abstract: A wellbore rig top drive is disclosed. The wellbore rig top drive can include a main bearing housing. The wellbore rig top drive can also include a main bearing supported by the main bearing housing. The main bearing can be configured to support a weight of a wellbore string and facilitate rotation of the wellbore string about an axis. The wellbore rig top drive can further include a quill supported by the main bearing and configured to rotate about the axis. The quill can be coupleable to the wellbore string. In addition, the wellbore rig top drive can include a drive motor disposed below the main bearing and supported by the main bearing housing. The drive motor can be coupled to the quill to provide torque to rotate the quill about the axis.

Abstract: A system for locking a bearing assembly to a rotating control device (RCD) housing is provided. The RCD housing can be coupled to a blowout preventer, and the bearing assembly can be received within the housing, and can comprise a stationary bearing housing having a perimeter channel. A plurality of locking block assemblies are each supported by the housing and are operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Each locking block assembly comprises a movable block configured to interface with the perimeter channel when in the locked position, and at least one elastic component is situated between the housing and the movable block. The at least one elastic component is configured to automatically bias the movable block in the locked position. Upon supplying fluid pressure via a valve device, the movable block moves to the unlocked position and the at least one elastic component compresses to facilitate removal of the bearing assembly from the RCD housing.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) having an anti-rotation locking system for restricting rotation of a bearing assembly housing of the RCD comprises an RCD housing operable with a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly operable to be received within the RCD housing and comprising a stationary bearing housing. The bearing assembly can be configured to receive and engage with and seal a pipe of a drill string of a drill rig. The stationary bearing housing can have secured thereto a locking ring. The anti-rotation locking system of the RCD can further comprise one or more anti-rotation devices moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The anti-rotation device(s) are operable to engage the locking ring, when in the locked position, to lock the stationary bearing housing to the RCD housing independent of the rotational position of the stationary bearing housing relative to the RCD housing.

Abstract: A back-up wrench device of a top drive assembly of a drilling rig comprises a gripper device operable to grip an end of a drill pipe, and at least one fluid actuator operable to compensate for thread travel during makeup or breakout operations. The back-up wrench device can comprise a first housing coupled to the gripper device and a second housing coupled to a support structure of the top drive assembly, and can comprise a primary hydraulic housing movably coupled to the first and second housings. The at least one fluid actuator can include upper and lower fluid actuators each movable through upper and lower fluid chambers of the primary hydraulic housing during respective makeup and breakout operations to compensate for thread travel. Associated systems and methods for thread compensation with the back-up wrench are provided.

Abstract: A stripper packer coupling assembly can include a packer operable to receive a tubular therethrough and form a seal about the tubular. The packer can comprise a plurality of coupling protrusions, each having a coupling head defining a first capture interface. Additionally, the stripper packer coupling assembly can include a capture mechanism. The capture mechanism can comprise a guide member having a plurality of guide openings, each operable to receive one of the plurality of coupling heads therein. The capture mechanism can also comprise a plurality of capture members, each defining a second capture interface. Capture members can be operably coupled to one another such that they are simultaneously movable relative to the guide member and the coupling protrusions between a capture position and a release position. In the release position, the capture members can facilitate passage of the coupling heads through the guide openings.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) for a drilling operation comprises a housing operable with a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly operable to be received in the housing, and operable to receive a pipe of a drill string. The RCD comprises a plurality of locking pin assemblies supported by the housing. Each locking pin assembly can comprise a movable pin operable between a locked position that locks the bearing assembly to the housing, and an unlocked position that unlocks the bearing assembly from the housing. An RCD comprises an RCD housing coupled to a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly received within the RCD housing and comprising a lower sealing element sleeve having a perimeter channel. The system comprises a plurality of locking pin assemblies supported by the RCD housing and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The movable pins can be automatically biased to the locked position by elastic elements upon removing fluid pressure from the housing.

Abstract: A back-up wrench device of a top drive assembly of a drilling rig comprises a gripper device operable to grip an end of a drill pipe, and at least one fluid actuator operable to compensate for thread travel during makeup or breakout operations. The back-up wrench device can comprise a first housing coupled to the gripper device and a second housing coupled to a support structure of the top drive assembly, and can comprise a primary hydraulic housing movably coupled to the first and second housings. The at least one fluid actuator can include upper and lower fluid actuators each movable through upper and lower fluid chambers of the primary hydraulic housing during respective makeup and breakout operations to compensate for thread travel. Associated systems and methods for thread compensation with the back-up wrench are provided.

Abstract: A system for locking a bearing assembly to a rotating control device (RCD) housing is provided. The RCD housing can be coupled to a blowout preventer, and the bearing assembly can be received within the housing, and can comprise a stationary bearing housing having a perimeter channel. A plurality of locking block assemblies are each supported by the housing and are operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Each locking block assembly comprises a movable block configured to interface with the perimeter channel when in the locked position, and at least one elastic component is situated between the housing and the movable block. The at least one elastic component is configured to automatically bias the movable block in the locked position. Upon supplying fluid pressure via a valve device, the movable block moves to the unlocked position and the at least one elastic component compresses to facilitate removal of the bearing assembly from the RCD housing.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) for a drilling operation comprises a housing operable with a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly operable to be received in the housing, and operable to receive a pipe of a drill string. The RCD comprises a plurality of locking pin assemblies supported by the housing. Each locking pin assembly can comprise a movable pin operable between a locked position that locks the bearing assembly to the housing, and an unlocked position that unlocks the bearing assembly from the housing. An RCD comprises an RCD housing coupled to a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly received within the RCD housing and comprising a lower sealing element sleeve having a perimeter channel. The system comprises a plurality of locking pin assemblies supported by the RCD housing and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The movable pins can be automatically biased to the locked position by elastic elements upon removing fluid pressure from the housing.

Abstract: A rotating control device (RCD) having an anti-rotation locking system for restricting rotation of a bearing assembly housing of the RCD comprises an RCD housing operable with a blowout preventer, and a bearing assembly operable to be received within the RCD housing and comprising a stationary bearing housing. The bearing assembly can be configured to receive and engage with and seal a pipe of a drill string of a drill rig. The stationary bearing housing can have secured thereto a locking ring. The anti-rotation locking system of the RCD can further comprise one or more anti-rotation devices moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The anti-rotation device(s) are operable to engage the locking ring, when in the locked position, to lock the stationary bearing housing to the RCD housing independent of the rotational position of the stationary bearing housing relative to the RCD housing.

Abstract: A stripper packer coupling assembly can include a packer operable to receive a tubular therethrough and form a seal about the tubular. The packer can comprise a plurality of coupling protrusions, each having a coupling head defining a first capture interface. Additionally, the stripper packer coupling assembly can include a capture mechanism. The capture mechanism can comprise a guide member having a plurality of guide openings, each operable to receive one of the plurality of coupling heads therein. The capture mechanism can also comprise a plurality of capture members, each defining a second capture interface. capture members can be operably coupled to one another such that they are simultaneously movable relative to the guide member and the coupling protrusions between a capture position and a release position. In the release position, the capture members can facilitate passage of the coupling heads through the guide openings.

Abstract: A quick release die block system for the gripper of a backup wrench is disclosed. The quick release die block system can include a die block releasably coupled to a die block support. A lock mechanism can include one or more lock pins moveably supported and can be operable with the die block and the die block support, The lock mechanism can also include a lock mechanism interface accessible via a passage in the die block, and can be adapted to releasably secure the die block to the die block support.

Abstract: A wellbore rig top drive is disclosed. The wellbore rig top drive can include a main bearing housing. The wellbore rig top drive can also include a main bearing supported by the main bearing housing. The main bearing can be configured to support a weight of a wellbore string and facilitate rotation of the wellbore string about an axis. The wellbore rig top drive can further include a quill supported by the main bearing and configured to rotate about the axis. The quill can be coupleable to the wellbore string. In addition, the wellbore rig top drive can include a drive motor disposed below the main bearing and supported by the main bearing housing. The drive motor can be coupled to the quill to provide torque to rotate the quill about the axis.

Abstract: A quick release die block system for the gripper of a backup wrench is disclosed. The quick release die block system can include a die block releasably coupled to a die block support. A lock mechanism can include one or more lock pins moveably supported and can be operable with the die block and the die block support, The lock mechanism can also include a lock mechanism interface accessible via a passage in the die block, and can be adapted to releasably secure the die block to the die block support.

Abstract: A back-up wrench device of a top drive assembly of a drilling rig comprises a gripper device operable to grip an end of a drill pipe, and at least one fluid actuator operable to compensate for thread travel during makeup or breakout operations. The back-up wrench device can comprise a first housing coupled to the gripper device and a second housing coupled to a support structure of the top drive assembly, and can comprise a primary hydraulic housing movably coupled to the first and second housings. The at least one fluid actuator can include upper and lower fluid actuators each movable through upper and lower fluid chambers of the primary hydraulic housing during respective makeup and breakout operations to compensate for thread travel. Associated systems and methods for thread compensation with the back-up wrench are provided.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a cap, and at least one indicator. The cap may include a central axis and may be mounted for selective rotational movement relative to the housing about the central axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The at least one indicator may be interposed between the cap and the housing, such that the cap is in covering relationship to at least a portion of the at least one indicator. The at least one indicator may also be mounted for radial movement outwardly from the central axis relative to the cap as the cap is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position such that the cap is no longer in covering relationship to the portion of the at least one indicator.

Abstract: A latch mechanism is provided that includes a housing, a cap, and at least one indicator. The cap may include a central axis and may be mounted for selective rotational movement relative to the housing about the central axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. The at least one indicator may be interposed between the cap and the housing, such that the cap is in covering relationship to at least a portion of the at least one indicator. The at least one indicator may also be mounted for radial movement outwardly from the central axis relative to the cap as the cap is rotated from the latched position to the unlatched position such that the cap is no longer in covering relationship to the portion of the at least one indicator.