Abstract: Stands (43) of multiple lengths of drill pipe, for oil and gas drilling are individually supported in a storage bin (28, 29) in an array of plural layers of plural numbers of stands. The individual stands are held in cooperating notches (41, 42) in vertically aligned support sleepers (38, 39) so that each stand experiences loads due only to its own weight and motions of a bin frame (13) where, as preferred, the frame is supported on a drillship deck (12). Sleepers between stand layers are indexable between positions in the array and outside the array. A bridge crane (32, 33) spans the length of the bin and is moveable transversely above it. The bridge crane carries vertically movable magnetic lifting heads (47) for lifting, holding and releasing an individual pipe stand. The crane can move a stand between a supported position in the bin array and a supported position on a power-driven carriage (18, 49) which is movable along a path along an upper part of a side of the bin (28, 29).

Abstract: The modular linear motor includes at least a pair of like stator modules and at least a pair of like mover modules. A stator module coupler interconnects the like stator module and has an axial length of sufficient dimension to maintain a given three phase stator pole pitch between the interconnected stator modules. A mover module coupler interconnects the like mover modules, and has another axial length of sufficient dimension to maintain a given mover pole pitch between the interconnected mover modules.

Abstract: A new and improved linear motor-pump assembly and method of using it for downhole use. The assembly includes a cartridge unit with a linear motor attached threadably between a discharge housing assembly adapted to be secured removably to a cable for hoisting the cartridge unit through the production tubing of a well and a suction housing assembly for facilitating the pumping of well fluids from a downhole well. The linear motor includes a mover adapted to engage threadably a stop valve for permitting one-way flow of fluid through the mover and into the discharge housing for discharge into the production tubing. For increased pumping efficiency, the suction housing and check valve are replaceable with a lifting pump and piston respectively. Thus, the assembly is usable in both shallow and deep wells.

Abstract: A new and improved control system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a downhole linear d.c. motor-pump assembly and a method of using it for producing a sufficient reciprocating pumping action to lift well fluid through the producing tubing of a well to the ground surface. The system includes a surface monitoring station that is in radio communication with a plurality of remote downhole motor-pump assemblies. Each motor-pump assembly has a surface motor controller, a downhole motor-pump cartiridge unit that is adapted to be received in a downhole cartridge sleeve assembly that maintains the cartridge unit in a stationary position for pumping purposes. The motor-pump cartridge unit may be raised or lowered by a control cable within the production tubing for helping to facilitate the repair or replacement of the motor-pump cartridge unit.

Abstract: A new and improved control system for monitoring and controlling the operation of a downhole linear d.c. motor-pump assembly and a method of using it for producing a sufficient reciprocating pumping action to lift well fluid through the producing tubing of a well to the ground surface. The system includes a surface monitoring station that is in radio communication with a plurality of remote downhole motor-pump assemblies. Each motor-pump assembly has a surface motor controller, a downhole motor-pump cartridge unit that is adapted to be received in a downhole cartridge sleeve assembly that maintains the cartridge unit in a stationary position for pumping purposes. The motor-pump cartridge unit may be raised or lowered by a control cable within the production tubing for helping to facilitate the repair or replacement of the motor-pump cartridge unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for handling guidelines for an ocean drilling platform rig. A cart for guiding the lines rides on a track and can be moved away from a drill well when a blowout preventer is moved into place over the well on its own cart. When the load of the blowout preventer is transferred to a drilling string, the blowout preventer support cart is moved away from the drill well and the guideline handling cart is positioned over the well. The guidelines are then attached to a guideline frame on the blowout preventer.

Abstract: A ship in which a string of heavy pipe is raised or lowered vertically beneath the ship at a substantially constant velocity in spite of heaving movement of the ship. The equipment for raising and lowering the pipe string is supported by the vessel through a heave compensation mechanism that permits vertical movement of the ship relative to the pipe raising and lowering mechanism. The heave compensation mechanism is a passive damped pneumatic-hydraulic spring system for isolating the vertical movement of the ship from the pipe raising and lowering equipment. The spring system operates over a very wide range of load imposed by the raising, lowering and supporting of a very long heavy pipe string.

Abstract: A ship in which a string of heavy pipe is raised or lowered vertically beneath the ship at a substantially constant velocity in spite of heaving movement of the ship. The equipment for raising and lowering the pipe string is supported by the vessel through heave compensation means that permits vertical movement of the ship relative to the pipe raising and lowering mechanism. The heave compensation means is a passive damped pneumatic-hydraulic spring system for isolating the vertical movement of the ship from the pipe raising and lowering equipment. The spring system operates over a very wide range of load imposed by the raising, lowering and supporting of a very long heavy pipe string.